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2022 Honda Accord
The Accord is Honda’s answer to the Camry in ways that might make you consider it, plus it is well equipped for $26,120.
After the heavy set of upgrades that came with the 2021 model year, the 2022 Accord remains just as exciting as it was. Being a paradigm of the mid-size sedan market, Honda has been reliable and faithful to its consumers and the 10th-generation Accord proves it, but even with a facelift in 2021, the Accord is now four years old, so is it worth buying today or should you hold out for the 11th-gen model?
Latest Honda Accord news and reviews:
2022 Honda Accord
After the heavy set of upgrades that came with the 2021 model year, the 2022 Accord remains just as exciting as it was. Being a paradigm of the mid-size sedan market, Honda has been reliable and faithful to its consumers and the 10th-generation Accord proves it, but even with a facelift in 2021, the Accord is now four years old, so is it worth buying today or should you hold out for the 11th-gen model?
Honda Is Entering SEMA With An Epic Type R-Powered 1990s Honda Accord Station Wagon
If you are into cars, you are probably familiar with the SEMA show that’s been held every November, in Las Vegas, Nevada. You would also know, it’s a place where some of the craziest car builds can be seen. Basically, companies, be it automotive, aftermarket, or otherwise, show off their expertise and creativity. Honda of all companies, has decided to bring out something rather unusual – a 1990s Honda Accord Station Wagon with a heart transplant, the heart being that of the latest Civic Type R.
Can the Honda Accord Sport 2.0t Take On The BMW 330iX In a Drag Race?
When it comes to drag-racing new vehicles, the YouTube channel Sam CarLegion does a very thorough job. Two or more cars are pitted against each other multiple times, in different drive modes. This time, it’s two of the most popular sporty sedans currently on the market – the Honda Accord Sport 2.0t and the BMW 330iX, and the result might surprise you.
Hyundai Sonata N Line Takes on Honda Accord and Acura TLX in a Drag Race
The new-generation Hyundai Sonata has, for the most part, received rave reviews from a lot of people. While it does lack the kind of power that you’d expect it to have, the sporty sedan is still an engaging drive. Fortunately, there is a version of the new Sonata that addresses output concerns regarding the standard model and its 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine.
Truth be told, the Sonata N-Line, with its 2..5-liter turbocharged four-banger unit, is more than just a step up from the standard Sonata. It plays in a different league where there’s enough power and performance to compete against the established models in its class, namely the Honda Accord and the Acura TLX. The folks from Throttle House took the track to find out, and the results, well, let’s just say that if you’re a betting man, you might be lighter in the pockets after watching this race.
The Best-Selling Cars In America This Year Through October 2018
2018 has been a big sales year for automakers in the U.S. From January to October 2018, car sales in the U.S. have reached 14,262,604 sold units. That represents a 0.2 percent increase in total sales compared to the first ten months of 2017. If you take it from that perspective, Americans are buying more vehicles this year than they did last year. But there are a lot of pieces involve in this numbers, too. These pieces paint a more accurate picture of the automotive landscape in the U.S. in 2018. Sales of light trucks — these include SUVs and pickups are up 8.3 percent compared to their sales numbers from January to October 2017.
On the other hand, sales of passenger vehicles, including sedans, are down 13.3 percent in the same period. This tells us that more and more American buyers are buying SUVs and pickups compared to sedans. It’s no surprise, then, that when we compiled the top 10 list of best-selling vehicles in the U.S. in the first ten months of the year, the upper half of that list was dominated by, you guessed it, pickups and SUVs.
Idiot Gets Instant Dose of Karma as He’s Ran Over by the Honda Accord He Stole During the Police Chase
Isaiah John Gellatly was the unhappiest man in Happy Valley, Oregon, when his attempt at stealing a run of the mill Honda Accord ended with jail time and a broken leg after he was run over by that same Accord.
Yes, that is what actually happened on Monday night in a quiet Oregon neighborhood that was suddenly turned on its head by a police pursuit. While injuries coming as a result of a police pursuit aren’t something that’s unheard of, the way this particular guy got his is what makes the story fit perfectly in a Leslie Nielsen movie.
Top Midsize Sedans of 2018
SUVs have become the toast of the automotive world these days that it’s hard to argue against anyone who wants to buy one. It’s just that even though SUVs continue to grow in popularity, it can’t replicate the suave styling and sophistication of some of the most popular midsize sedans on the market today. The best midsize sedans are often those that give you the best of all words. They’re stylish, powerful, comfortable, and spacious. Some even combine all those qualities in one package. SUVs have these qualities, too, but they’re often a product of customers needing them as opposed to wanting them.
With midsize sedans, especially the luxury types, you don’t need space because you have a family to fit inside it, you want the space because you want to show off your ride to your friends. Likewise, you don’t need it to be powerful for your next weekend getaway. You want it to be powerful, so it grabs the attention of the people around you. In here is a list of the best midsize sedans of 2018. Pay attention to who made it because there’s a good chance that if you’re in the market for one, you’ll end up getting one of these models.
10 Best Used Cars For New Drivers
While most modern cars pack in the safety features and offer plenty of value-per-dollar, there are some out there that seem to stand above the rest. If you’re scouring the used market looking for just the right ride for your new driver, fear not, as we’ve put together a list that outlines ten models that are just a few years old, but still come with just about everything you could want.
Each entry also includes a rundown on crashworthiness, as tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IIHS, a U.S.-based non-profit organization that conducts research on almost all new cars.
So with that, read on for our list of the ten best-used cars for new drivers.
Video Of The Day: Old Honda Mates With New EV Tech – Meet The Teslonda
I’ll admit it – sometimes, we here at TopSpeed get a little jaded when it comes to all the insanely fast machinery we see pass across our collective desk. The crazy specs, the outrageous claims... these things can become a bit of a blur over time, much like the supercars they represent. Then, every so often, we come across something that stands out from the pack. Such is the case with the Teslonda. Combining the lightweight body of an early-model Honda Accord with an electric motor out of a Tesla Model S, plus the battery pack from a Chevy Bolt to provide the juice, this thing makes for one very weird project car. It’s also very, very quick, charging up to 60 mph in a scant 2.7 seconds. Dodge Challenger Hellcat who?
Posted to Instagram by user @jimmy.built, the shell in question is a 1981 Honda Accord, which appears to be salvaged. The same goes for the electric motor, which Jimmy identifies as the go-maker out of a P85 Tesla Model S. Output peaks at around 536 horsepower, plus there’s that metric crap ton of torque available from the word go.
The unique suspension set-up was inspired by the early days of the NHRA, and the “gasser” craze of the ’60s, wherein modified street cars took to the drag strip for top bragging rights. With most of the weight centered around the rear axle, this Teslonda just squats and goes, squealing the tires and making a noise like a giant RC car on steroids. Which it kinda is. We’d describe it as “cartoonishly” quick, like there should be a dusty outline of an ’81 Accord left behind after stepping on the long skinny pedal. The Teslonda will definitely wheelie with the right traction set-up. Jimmy says 2.7 seconds is the quickest run so far, but given the chilly ambient temperatures, there’s still a few tenths left in it. The Teslonda has yet to head to the drag strip, but the wrenches behind it are guessing it’ll do a number somewhere in the low 9’s. Of course, it’s gonna need a roll cage before it can tackle the 1320.
We love stuff like this, and wish Jimmy and his crew all the luck in wrangling every ounce of speed from the Teslonda.
What do you think, dear reader? Does this sorta thing get your juices flowing, or does it fall flat? You could argue this is a premonition of things to come in the world of modified cars – does that excite you, or disappoint you? Let us know in the comments section.
Poor Guy Has Rims Stolen from His Honda Accord Twice in One Week
There’s bad luck, and there’s really bad luck. A couple from Prince George’s County in Maryland found themselves on the short end of the stick when a thief stole all four tires from their Honda Accord not once, but twice. The first incident occurred on November 28 when surveillance footage showed a man getting out of his car and jacking the tires from the Accord before it leaving it on bricks. To prevent the incident from happening again, the husband of the owner of the car, identified as Anthony Greer, decided to install a Viper alarm system with a tilt sensor on the Accord. Turns out, the two safety devices weren’t enough to prevent the crime from happening again. Exactly a week later on December 5, the thief managed to steal the Accord’s new set of tires after breaking the wheel locks and leaving the car on the same type of bricks.
HondaLens Augmented Reality - The Future of the Dealership Experience
Honda has high hopes for the all-new 2018 Accord, so it’s taking the car’s dealership experience to a whole new level with a new feature called HondaLens. The augmented reality (AR) feature puts prospective customers in a unique position of seeing the Accord and its features in a whole new light, literally and figuratively. The proprietary system made its debut at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show in grand fashion. Those in attendance were given an opportunity to peak into the history of one of Honda’s best-selling models before diving deep into the array of features that the tenth-generation Accord has at its disposal.
2019 Honda Accord Type R
There’s no denying that Honda has been pretty stingy when it comes to the Type R badge and the U.S. Market. Over the years, U.K., Euro, and Japanese markets always seemed to get the best that Honda had to offer, with the Type R badge being applied to the first-generation Acura NSX, Acura Integra, the Honda Accord and, of course, the Honda Civic. Of all these, the only models we saw come to the U.S. were the NSX Type R and the Integra Type R, both sporting Acura Badges, and we finally got the Civic Type R for the 2017 model year. With that in mind, it’s been a while since the world got a Type R version of the Accord, so we decided to render up was a U.S.-Spec Accord Type R would look like. Highlights of the build would include more aggressive fascias out front with Type R specific styling to go with plenty of Type R goodness inside. There would, of course, be an improved output over the range-topping model’s 252 ponies, but how that power will come to be is another story. Other necessities include a stiffer suspension, manual transmission, tuned-out exhaust, and a lower ride height.
On the plus side, all of the necessary prerequisites are already in play. The new Accord is pretty sporty on its own, so a more aggressive look should be easily welcomed. But, with the range-topping models of the Accord already sporting the detuned version of the Civic Type R’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder, it won’t take much to get some extra power to the wheels. Even more intriguing is the fact that Accord Sport models with the 2.0-liter can be equipped with a six-speed manual if you check the right option box, so you’ll be able to forgo dealing with that new 10-speed auto gearbox. With all of that in mind, let’s talk a little about the Accord Type R’s history and then take a good look at our rendering. Are you excited? I sure am. Let’s get to it…
2018 Honda Accord
It’s been 41 years since Honda introduced the Accord to the compact market and, in that time, it has been through 10 generational shifts, with the most recent occurring for the 2018 model year. And it came quite quickly as well, considering the ninth-gen model only ran a total of four years – a very short life cycle for a car as raved about as the Accord. For 2018, however, Honda has tried to fix all of the sedan’s little shortcomings, and it has done a pretty good job. Highlights of the new-gen model include two new, turbocharged, four-cylinder engines (sorry, folks – no V-6 this time around) to go with a new 10-speed automatic transmission, an all-new chassis design, heavily revamped interior, and a reworked body. It also sees the use of more ultra-high-strength steel than any other Honda in production today, which should make for a safe vehicle.
However, it’s not all peaches and cream. While there’s been a lot of work done inside and under the skin, the Accord doesn’t seem to live up to the hype. Not that I’m saying it’s an ugly car by any means (it’s actually quite attractive from most angles), but what’s going on up front with that big, open grille? My initial thoughts are that there’s a piece of gloss black trim missing from the front end. But, then again, looks aren’t everything, so maybe it’s not so bad – I’ll leave that decision up to you. For now, we need to find out if it has what it takes to compete against the new Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata, so let’s dive on in and figure it out.
The 2018 Honda Accord Gives Us Some Mixed Feelings
The Honda Accord has a long, illustrious history that goes all the way back to 1976 when it started out life in Japan as a compact car. Over the years, it’s been through a total of nine generation changes, effectively jumping segments twice, from compact to mid-size and, more recently, to full-size. The most recent generation kicked off in 2013, but that was before Honda really got its act together, so this generation is destined to be short-lived, with 2018 ushering in the 10th-gen Accord. Highlights include two new engines, a 10-speed automatic transmission, an all-new body design, all-new chassis design, and the full suite of Honda’s safety and driver-assistance technology as standard equipment. It has more ultra-high-strength steel than any other Honda on the market today and features a tech-savvy cabin that has an almost-German look matched with a rather busy layout.
Inside and under the skin, the Accord has gone through a complete transformation while the exterior’s new look is more evolutionary than revolutionary. One could even argue that the teasers were a bit misleading when it comes to the lesser models, whose front end just looks cheap. Higher-end models look a little better up front, but the overall look is a little risky in a segment that’s got cars like the new Toyota Camry ready to reign supreme. Want to learn more about the new Accord and get a better look at what it offers for 2018? Keep on reading for a quick breakdown.
Continue reading for more.
2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
Honda gave the Accord a much-needed facelift for the 2016 model year and, now that 2017 models are starting to break cover, Honda has upgraded the Accord Hybrid. Not only does it get that beautiful design language that just screams Acura, but it also gets an updated hybrid powertrain that promises to offer better fuel economy and performance. Furthermore, the Accord Hybrid also receives a new, more compact battery pack, which should increase trunk capacity to a midsize hybrid class-leading 13.5 cubic-feet.
John Mendel, the Executive Vice President of American Honda Motor Company, said, “The new Honda Accord Hybrid is the ultimate Accord – the most refined, technologically sophisticated and, of course, most fuel efficient in the lineup. With Accord already America’s most popular car three years running and the best-selling midsize car to younger buyers, we think this new hybrid model will add considerable momentum for the Honda brand.”
The 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid will come in three different trims, offer several different driving modes, and come with a long list of optional features that promise to make it the best Accord Hybrid to date. So, with that said, let’s take a closer look at the new Accord Hybrid and go into better detail about what you can expect. It makes its first public appearance at the Aquarium on the Pacific in Long Beach during the Earth Day celebrations on April 23rd and 24th.
Updated 07/19/2016: Honda dropped a new video in which it highlights the driving features of the 2017 Accord Hybrid. So hit "play" to learn more about its quality, sportiness, comfort and safety features.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid.
There’s A Good Chance That Your Older Honda Or Acura Could Kill You
At this point, the whole Takata airbag recall situation has been overplayed about as much as much as BMW has overplayed its 100th-anniversary celebration. But, unlike BMW, there is a good reason we constantly see Takata in the headlines. The company produced enough faulty airbags that the number of U.S. cars being recalled is expected to hit 70 million. The problem? The airbags have been found to shoot shrapnel on deployment – nothing like having a grenade go off in your face, right?
According to Safecar.gov, 8,867,284 airbags have been repaired as of June 17, 2016. That accounts for 5,023,431 driver-side airbags and 3,843,853 passenger-side airbags. That leaves a lot of unfixed airbags out there, but some are more dangerous than others. And, according to federal safety regulators, more than 300,000 Hondas and Acuras could have airbags that are seriously dangerous. That’s right, if you’re driving a Honda or Acura built between 2001 and 2003, you could be driving with a bomb three feet from your face. Have an accident, and it could explode...
According to the NHTSA, the airbags in certain Hondas and Acuras from the early 2000s have a 50-percent chance of exploding should they deploy in the event of an accident. Other Takata airbags have just a 1-percent chance. 50-percent doesn’t sound like very good odds to me. With that said, keep reading to learn about what cars are affected.
Continue reading for a list of affected cars.
2017 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition
The 2017 Honda Accord just hit showrooms on June 20, 2016, and with it came a new trim level dubbed the Sport Special Edition. As such, the new trim sits on the lower side of the spectrum, taking up the spot between the entry-level Accord LX and the Accord EX, so it’s not a trim you’re going to have to pay a fortune to position yourself in either. With that said, the Sport SE comes in three different versions – the first and cheapest comes with a six-speed manual, the mid-level includes a CVT transmission, and the third comes with a CVT and the Honda Sensing Safety Package. Don’t let its position in the Accord hierarchy fool you; this lower trim level actually comes pretty well-equipped.
Jeff Conrad, the Vice President for Honda division, said, “ [The] Accord continues to set the bar in its class with customers making it the top retail selling car in America for three years running. We’re proud to offer an expanded lineup with the new Sport Special Edition and the 2017 Accord Hybrid as we continue to advance Accord’s position as a true benchmark in its class, offering an unbeatable combination of style, efficiency, fun-to-drive performance and connectivity in the midsize sedan segment.”
With that said, don’t get your hopes up thinking there are any drastic differences to the body or anything. On the outside, the general look remains the same, but that just means it has a good foundation. And, with the Accord’s 2.4-liter engine, it has decent power blended with decent fuel economy. There are eight exterior colors to choose from but just one interior color. So, let’s take a closer look at the new Accord Sport SE and see what all the hype is about.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Honda Accord Sport Special Edition.
The 2016 Honda Accord Sedan is one of just a couple of cars that defines what a mainstream midsized car is. It is a car that is aggressively unaggressive, designed to be enjoyable but not to push any boundaries that might limit its commercial appeal. It’s the "Everybody Loves Raymond" of cars. But Honda also makes a coupe version of the Accord, and since Toyota doesn’t make a coupe version of the Accord’s mortal enemy, the Camry, the Accord coupe doesn’t have as much competition as its sedan sibling. Honda can therefore take more risks with the coupe and build something more interesting, or at least something that looks more interesting.
The Accord got a facelift for 2016, and this is most noticeable on the coupe. Mechanically, not too much has changed, but that isn’t surprising for a mid-cycle refresh of a hugely popular car. The changes are mostly in the styling, which was unobjectionable but a bit dull in the old car, and has become much more aggressive in the 2016. It might not offer performance that will rip your face off, but a coupe with an available 278-horsepower V-6 and a six-speed manual transmission is still more fun than 90 percent of the cars on the road.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Honda Accord Coupe.
Honda has pulled the covers off its newest, most technologically advanced version of the popular Accord. Heavily refreshed for the 2016 model year, the Accord now boasts an updated look inside and out, with a host of new features and gadgets. Most of the mechanicals carry over from the 2015 car; the Accord still offers two stout engine options fitted with a manual transmission, a conventional six-speed automatic, or a CVT. Honda seems set on shaking the Accord’s bland reputation as a family sedan with this refresh, and from the looks of things, bland is nowhere to be seen.
The new Accord enjoyed its reveal party in the fitting location of Silicon Valley in California. The technology epicenter is home to companies like Google and Apple – both of whom now have their latest car-centered tech inside the Accord. Yep, both Apple CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto are present. The mobile device-compatible software integration now allows users to connect their iPhone or Android devices to the Accord’s infotainment system and display a condensed version of their phones’ interfaces.
Of course, Honda Sensing is offered. It now comes with Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Road Departure Mitigation with Lane Departure Warning, and Adaptive Cruise Control. All trim levels can be optioned with Honda Sensing, while the range-topping Touring model gets it as standard.
The Accord has been one of the best selling sedans for decades, but will the new improvements be enough to keep its position on the leader board?
Updated 08/11/2015: Honda announced prices for the 2016 Accord sedan, which will go on sale later in the summer. Prices will range from $22,105 for the LX with the six-speed manual transmission to $34,580 for the Touring V-6 version with the six-speed automatic.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Honda Accord.
Takahiro Hachigo — the new president and CEO of Honda Motor Company — has a vision that will fuel some new designs for Honda Automobiles. With advancement of the automaker’s global operation structure and the development of new products, Hachigo plans to step up the competition going forward. Plans are even in the works for a new “baby NSX”, but until that becomes a reality, the sporty design of the all-new Civic and the effort put into redesigning the 2016 Accord gives insight into just what Honda has in store for us.
If you were lucky enough to see the 2015 Honda Civic Concept at the New York Auto Show earlier in 2015, then you already have an Idea of the new sporty design. The look of the 10th-generation 2016 Honda Civic is the most commendable manifestation of Honda’s new design so far. It will feature tight body lines, and while it will be toned down a bit from the concept, it will still sport an aggressive front end that will discourage even the heaviest customizer from needing an aftermarket body kit. The new Civic is designed to be more sporty than anything, so don’t expect a large trunk opening to go along with the liftback-like design. I wouldn’t expect the large spoiler shown on the concept either, but you can bet the option will be there for a smaller fin on the rear end. The Civic will be offered in various trim levels, including a Type-R and a Si variant. Following the competition, the new Civic will have a new turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that is mated to either a short-throw, six-speed transmission or a CVT transmission for those who like to simply go. When properly equipped, the Civic will should still get more than 40 mpg when cruising the interstate.
The 2016 Accord also goes to show that Hachigo and his engineers aren’t playing around. Expect to see more stylish front and rear bumpers, a new grille, and new lights all the way around. I wouldn’t expect the front end to look as aggressive as what we’ll see on the Civic, but it will be a nice step up from the years before in terms of snarl. If you look for the touring model, you’ll see the multi-element headlamps similar to the LED lights seen in a lot of Acura models – hopefully something we’ll see on the new Civic as well. The Accord Sedan will sport more of a fastback design, providing a sporty look not previously seen in previous models. The new Accord will likely see direct fuel injection and may share a new nine-speed automatic transmission with the 2016 Honda Pilot.
Continue reading for the full story.
You have to feel for Santa Claus. Unlike the most of us, he doesn’t have the opportunity to enjoy Christmas. Instead, he’s out playing the role of delivery man, going from one household to another, leaving behind some gifts for kids on the “nice” list. Doing so involves taking his trusty old sleigh with him and for as long as Santa’s been doing the rounds, his sleigh has likewise racked up a ton of mileage over the years. Almost 75 billion miles, in fact.
Obviously, the sleigh is ripe for retirement, which is why Santa did the prudent thing and stopped by Honda North Pole to get a new sleigh, much to the delight of company engineers.
From a block of clay, Honda managed to whip up a state-of-the-art red sleigh, complete with airbags, a rear view camera, and some of Honda’s new tech features like Vehicle Stability Assist, Forward Collision Waning, and Lane Departure Warning. The sleigh even went through a nice crash test to ensure that its up-to-snuff in case Santa gets involved in an accident high up in the sky. Take a closer look and you’ll see that the sleigh was also decked out with a Honda Accord front end.
So if you happen to see Santa one of these days, don’t be surprised if he’s rolling in on a Honda Accord sleigh. That’s how he rolls these days, all thanks to a Honda dealership that probably has only one client.
The Honda Accord has been around for what seems like forever, and it has undergone more changes that I don’t care to count. After a nice redesign just a year ago, the Accord carries into the 2014 model year with no changes at all. I got my hands on a range-topping Touring version of the 2014 Accord, which had just about every gadget and gizmo imaginable in a mainstream, midsize sedan.
The Accord has long had one of the most boring cabins in its segment, and the redesign takes care of some blandness, but it remains pretty blah. Besides the sleepy design, the Accord Touring’s cabin was very nicely equipped, thank to standard leather, 360-watt audio system, blind-spot camera, Bluetooth and heated seats.
Under the hood, Honda continues with its tried and true 3.5-liter V-6 that nets the sedan just under 300 horsepower. That’s decent power for a midsize sedan, but automakers are now moving toward smaller, turbocharged engines to increase fuel economy, but maintain power output, and Honda is still missing this boat.
So how does the Accord stack up to the likes of the Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry?
Read my full Driven review after the jump to find out.
The Accord, next to Civic, has the longest history in Honda’s lineup. Unveiled for the first time in 1976, the model is currently in its ninth generation and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. The model evolved with every passing year, and has become one of the premier midsized sedans in the U.S., but its long-time competitor, the Toyota Camry, still gives it a good run for its money.
The 2014 Accord brings no major updates from the 2013 model, with the only improvement being the addition of premium fabric for the seats on the LX sedan. The rest remains identical to what we saw in the 2013 model year, including the exterior colors and engine lineup.
For the 2014 model year the Accord comes in six trim levels — LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, EX-L V-6 and Touring — with prices ranging from $21,955 to $32,400.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Honda Accord.
Details about this fall’s new Accord Hybrid are starting to trickle from Honda in the form of official images and a boast about the new midsize sedan’s 47 mpg combined rating. The Hybrid model leverages the advanced Sport Hybrid battery systems, new engine and aerodynamic tweaks from its pricier Plug-in Hybrid Accord sibling.
Luckily, the Accord Hybrid benefits from the latest LED styling outside and new high-tech eco displays inside – without the questionable new nose Honda grafts onto the PHEV (as well as this regular Accord Hybrid outside the U.S.)
There is still blue-tinted lighting and badges galore, but this time it is not trying to disguise old halogen bulbs like on the CR-Z.
Pricing and final stats for the Hybrid’s smaller lithium-ion battery pack are not yet available and will directly influence the showroom costs. The Accord PHEV’s $40,000-plus pricing has raised some eyebrows, but the new Hybrid will be built on the regular Ohio assembly line for the first time – hopefully bringing savings versus the Japanese-built Accord PHEV.
Pricing in the low $30,000 range will put the new Honda about $2,000 above similarly equipped Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion Hybrid sedans. Buyers are still lapping up the base $23,000 Prius hatchback’s mileage and ease of use. Even so, the the real sales prize will be winning over not just early adopters but mainstream sedan shoppers with an eye on fuel economy and cruising refinement.
Click past the jump for the full preview of the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid with details on the all-new 2.0-liter engine and twin-motor Sport Hybrid system ahead of the Accord Hybrid’s arrival at Honda dealers this October.
It’s that time of the year again. The holidays are in full swing and seemingly every company is launching its holiday commercials. Car companies are particularly "spirited" this year, as the U.S. automotive crash is on its way up and they are all trying to capitalize on folks that would like nothing more than a new car this year.
As always, Honda has gotten itself in the holiday spirit with the unveiling of its yearly "Happy Honda Days" campaign. This year, Honda has launched six new commercials as part of the campaign and each spot opens with someone thanking Honda for giving their friend or relative a great deal on a new car.
For example, Laura is very happy with her new Civic, Nancy loves her son Steve’s new Pilot, while Pete is grateful for his Dad’s Accord. Hit the jump to watch everyone’s story with Honda.
So, while you’re stuffing your face with turkey, or whatever you fancy on Thanksgiving, allow these videos to get you all amped up for the rest of the holiday season. Yes, even the craziness that will be "Black Friday."
Click past the jump to see the remaining videos.
Honda’s display at the 2012 SEMA Auto Show features a number of finely tuned Accords, including one that carries Honda’s very own X-Package.
While not as ostentatious as some of the projects you’ll see at SEMA, the Accord Sedan X-Package does carry some styling cues that can translate to a production model. The aforementioned X-Package is actually made by Honda to create a sporty, low-profile custom look for the vehicle. The kit in itself includes a number of added components, including a front and side under body, rear under body spoilers, a new sports grille, and a wing spoiler.
For the show model that is at SEMA, Honda decided to give the Accord Sedan an added vista flair, thanks to a two-tone color that features a predominant white body color with a sparking blue hood, front grille, and roof.
The goal of this show car isn’t so much to drop jaws at SEMA but to give the gathered crows a chance to see what the company’ X-Package is all about when fitted into an Accord Sedan. Anybody interested in the marker can opt to add it for a price of just $2,171, excluding installation.
Judging by the showpiece model, we’d say that the price is well worth the accentuated aerodynamic styling on the Accord Sedan. That’s money well spent in our books.
The 2013 Honda Accord Coupe made its official debut just three months ago and it looks like Honda has already decided to amaze us with the car’s incredible updating possibilities. One of the limited editions prepared by the company for the 2012 SEMA Show is a very cool limited edition Coupe HFP (Honda Factory Performance). The model will be limited to only 500 units and will add another $4,650 over the Accord’s standard price of $23,350. Sales will begin in the spring of 2013.
The new HFP package will add a series of impressive updates that will enhance the exclusive appeal of the 2013 Accord Coupe. It will include HFP front, side, and rear underbody spoilers and a decklid spoiler. The car will sit on a new set of 19" HFP alloy wheels combined with a new HFP sport suspension that lowers the car’s height by 15 mm and enhances handling.
The interior will receive red illumination, HFP floor mats and HFP badges for each side and the trunk.
Everyone knows Bisimoto Engineering for their amazing street and race vehicles, but the 2012 SEMA Show is proving to be an opportunity for them to show off just how much they can do. They have already unveiled a few impressive updated vehicles, like the 600 HP Elantra GT, but they’re adding yet another one to their list with the Grand Touring package based on the 2013 Honda Accord Coupe.
The tuner started by adding HPF side skirts, a fascia kit for the front and rear, and continued with a Gatorwrap custom laminated body wrap combined with a Denmatic design scheme. The interior received GT3 racing seats and a roll cage.
The exterior and interior upgrades were only thrown in to provide a complete package because the real star of the show is the upgrades of the engine. The Honda’s standard V6 engine has been tricked to deliver an amazing 401 HP (up from the standard 300). For this update, the tuner used a supercharger system and a new Cat-back exhaust system.
The Honda Accord Coupe sits on a new set of 19"aluminum wheels combined with a coil suspension and a sway bar.
Driving up alongside the 2013 Accord in Honda’s line-up is the new 2014 Accord Plug-in Hybrid Sedan, a model which, according to Honda, will serve as the basis for a conventional hybrid version of the Accord Sedan. The new Accord PHEV will go on sale in early 2013 and will be produced in Sayama, Japan.
The Accord PHEV is powered by a 2.0-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 137 HP combined with a powerful 124-kilowatt (kW) electric motor for a total output of 196 HP. The model can drive in pure electric mode for 10 to 15 miles and delivers a total driving range of over 500 miles.
The new hybrid version is based on the Touring trim level of standard Accord Sedan and will be distinguished by a weight-saving aluminum hood, 17-inch forged alloy wheels, and a unique front bumper.
Hit the jump to read more about the new 2014 Honda Accord PHEV.
There are two staples in Honda’s lineup that have seemingly been a part its production line forever. Those cars are the Honda Civic and Accord. The Accord has seen many changes over its lifespan, some simple and others very extreme. As we approach the 2013 model year, we know the the Accord is being redesigned, but so far we only know the specifics of the Accord Coupe.
As of now, we officially know the specifics behind the Accord sedan, thus completing the 2013 Accord lineup. Honda’s goal with the new Accord sedan was to make it better, but not bigger. One area that Honda needed to improve upon, in order to keep pace with the CAFE regulations, was fuel economy. It’s not that the 2012 Accord got poor fuel economy – 23 mpg city and 34 mpg highway with a 4-cylinder – it just needs to constantly improve to hit the corporate lineup average of 54.5 mpg by 2025.
What exactly could Honda have done to make the 2013 Accord any better than the 2012 Accord, which is pretty nice itself?
To find out what Honda did and if it met its goal of making the Accord better, click past the jump.
Leaky pipes in the automotive industry are at it again, as a poster named “dutchboy” over at Temple of Vtec decided to leak some images of the only part of the redesigned Accord we have yet to see, the interior. Sure, the images look as if they were taken with a 1940s-era camera, or maybe just a 0.3 MP camera phone, scanned through a 400 DPI scanner, printed by a dot-matrix printer, scanned again by a 400 DPI printer, then finally uploaded after being compressed enough to make it through the user’s 28.8 Kb/second internet connection in less than a day and a half, but they’re still telling images.
From these images, we can see that the driver’s side of the Accord looks good. The clock-face gauges boast a large, center-mounted speedometer flanked by the tachometer on one side and the fuel and temperature gauges on the other. The steering wheel boasts a clean setup of buttons that don’t look too overwhelming. You also get the “Start/Stop” button, an “Econ” button, and what looks to be a TPMS reset button (tire mounters of the world will rejoice over this one).
The center stack, on the other hand, looks like a blind man with a touch screen and button obsession. It’s way overloaded with two screens – one for navigation and one for HondaLink – a series of climate-control buttons and a group of audio-control buttons.
Seriously, with two touch screens, why in the world would the Accord need that many audio and HVAC controls? Shouldn’t those all use the touch screen interface? Also, the middle two sections of the center stack are nicely styled, but they come down to meet a plain-Jane center console shape. It is definitely an awkward transition.
Hopefully, the graininess of this picture is hiding some transitioning piece between the center stack and center console, or Honda is still revising it. As it stands right now, that center part of the cabin is a real eyesore.
We’ll keep a look out for better images to surface on the interior and pass them on as we find them.
The Honda Accord has remained unchanged, pretty much, for the last five model years. We’re not saying that the current Accord is not a looker, but it has become a little bit aged. Early in 2012, Honda revealed the new Accord Concept and showed us a more aggressively styled vehicle with sharp body lines and an all-around sexy appearance.
When we see concept cars we always take them with a grain of salt, as they rarely, if ever, end up looking the same in production. For that reason, we held our tongue and made sure that you knew that was only a concept car being shown.
Now, however, Honda has released images of the production version of the Accord Coupe, and we are set to trickle some of this information to you. The official information for the 2013 Accord is still limited, so we are only going to focus on the officially released items and sprinkle in a little speculation on parts that Honda hasn’t yet made official.
Click past the jump to read our full review on the 2013 Honda Accord Coupe.
To say that Honda has fallen behind the times in terms of automotive creativity is about as obvious as saying Fiat and Mini are overusing their respective flagship models. While nearly every other automaker is creating numerous ways to safely use your smartphone in the car and also using it to connect to cool things like Pandora radio, Facebook, and whatever other online stuff you love, Honda has been delivering the stats quo for years, sans adding light smartphone connectivity in the 2012 CR-V.
Finally, Honda has decided to get with the times and is introducing HondaLink, which is essentially a Ford Sync copycat. Then again, aren’t all of the modern connectivity systems just copying Ford’s innovative idea?
This new HondaLink system will debut in the 2013 Honda Accord and allows its user to do things like connect to Aha radio, tether and control a smartphone, listen to news, text message via speech, and even hear twitter and Facebook feeds over their audio system.
In reality, this system is actually using technology that Ford has been for the past half century, but the fact that Honda finally unburied its head and realized that it is sub-par is a miracle in itself. Maybe this new system can help Honda recoup some of the sales it has been losing to more innovative companies, like Hyundai and Kia, and earn some of its buyers back.
To help us better understand the system, Honda released a quick video describing its features, which you can see above. Click past the jump to check out Honda’s full presser on HondaLink.
According to the FBI, we’re coming up to a couple of the hottest months of the year, and we’re not talking about the weather. Turns out, July and August are the top two months for vehicle theft, and LoJack and the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI) are doing their part by holding their 6th annual National Vehicle Theft Protection Month. For this year, they have come up with an infographic that provides a few details and stats about car theft, as well as some helpful hints to ensure you are not a victim.
First, the facts. In 2010, there were 737,000 vehicle thefts and only 56% of those vehicles were ever recovered. The average loss per vehicle was $6,152. Not exactly a small number by anyone’s standards. What’s worse is that, if you own a Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and Toyota Camry, you are more likely to be a victim because these were the top three vehicles stolen in 2010. The Ford Mustang made up a total of 9,116 instances of car theft in 2010, so we can only imagine how many of the top three vehicles were stolen during that time.
Where you live is also a factor. Nine out of 10 areas in numbers of stolen cars are in California and Washington State, with seven of the areas belonging to The Golden State.
Being the trusting - or rushed - souls that we are, 68% of people have left their car running when they aren’t in it or have left their car unlocked, while 64% of people have their home address programmed into their GPS system and 32% have left an electronic device or personal documents in plain view.
So what can we do to protect ourselves and our vehicles from theft? The number one protection aid is to use COMMON SENSE. Hey, they said it, we only repeated it. The second and third are to use theft protection products and a tracking and recovery system.
Check out the rest of the infographic after the jump to get more helpful information and remember to check back with us for the next installment in our Car Infographics series.
The Beijing Auto Show is fast becoming one of the biggest events in the automotive calendar and a lot of companies have taken into introducing concept vehicles in Beijing.
When its doors open on April 23, 2012, Japanese automaker Honda will be on hand to introduce a pair of new concept vehicles that will make their world debuts. According to Honda, the concepts - one is a sedan while the other is a hatchback - are preview models for the Chinese market.
No further details were divulged apart from the two photos, but if the design sketches are any indication on what Honda has up their sleeve, we won’t be surprised if the cars end up being Chinese versions of the Accord and the Civic.
Suffice to say, we’re all pretty curious to see these two concepts without their covers. Fortunately, the Beijing Auto Show will kick off on April 23, which means that we won’t have to wait too long to find out what Honda has in store for us.
The calendar might have just flipped over to a new year, but that doesn’t mean that auto show fever is subsiding anytime soon, especially since the 2012 North American International Auto Show just opened its doors. Many automakers are on hand to show off their newest concepts and production models, including Honda and their first preview version of the ninth-generation 2013 model set to go on-sale in Fall 2012. The Honda Accord Coupe Concept shows off a new exterior and interior design, as well as a choice of three all-new powertrains, including the first U.S. application of both a 2.4-liter direct-injected engine and two-motor plug-in hybrid system.
At the front of the new Accord will be a revised four-sided honeycomb grille and deeply set multi-reflector headlights, lower fog-light spoilers accented by crystallized chrome inlays, a trunk -lid spoiler, and larger exhaust finishers integrated into the bumper.
"Marking the 30th anniversary of U.S. production, this new ninth-generation Accord will raise the bar again through a tour de force of new Honda powertrain and safety technologies, geared to ensure that Honda and the Accord continue to lead in fuel economy, safety and fun-to-drive performance," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Honda Accord Coupe Concept.
With the calendar turning over a new page to 2012, the very first major auto show is set to open its doors in Detroit when the North American International Auto Show welcomes automakers - both local and foreign - to the Motor City.
This year, American brands are coming to Detroit in full force where they will be joined by a number of international automakers in presenting a steady diet of concept cars, production debuts, and just about everything else in between.
Among the notable debuts set to take place include the brand-new 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL, as well as the 2013 Bentley Continental GT V8. German automaker Porsche has also penciled in the 911 Cabriolet for the festivities, while Lexus will be on-hand to display the intriguing and mysterious LF-LC 2+2 sports coupe concept.
As for the local contingent, Ford is leading the way with the premiere of the Fusion global mid-size sedan while Dodge is set to introduce their Alfa Romeo Giulietta-based compact sedan, the Dart.
There’s plenty of action headed to Detroit when the 2012 NAIAS opens its doors on January 14th. Head over after the jump to check out a preview of all the cars scheduled to be part of all the festivities.
We have seen plenty of customized Camaros and Mustangs at the 2011 SEMA Auto Show, but it’s high time to take a look at other cars displayed in Las Vegas. For example, Honda Factory Performance has brought a very cool Accord Coupe V6 Concept. The concept was built to demonstrate the performance potential of the Accord V6 coupe, as well as to keep customers interested in the model. The bad news is that Honda has no current production plans for the concept.
The Accord Coupe V6 HFP Concept is built on a stock 3.5-liter V6 engine model painted in a very cool white exterior color. The only difference is that this model gets a supercharger, a performance air intake, and a new exhaust system. All of these updates will increase the engine output to an impressive 335 HP and 285 lb-ft of torque (up 64 HP and 34 lb-ft versus the stock car).
Everyone knows - or at least should know - that getting behind the wheel carries with it a serious responsibility for your life and the life of anyone else in the vehicle. However, it seems that there are some "adventurous" and more or less moronic people out there with little regard to other people’s safety. Take these drift-crazy asswipes as an example.
Cars like the Honda Accord, the Hyundai Sonata, and the Toyota Camry are typically produced as people pushers, some guys in Middle East have found another way to enjoy their family vehicles.
The drivers in this video simply ignored the heavy traffic and started showing off their crazy drifting skills. Take your eyes off of the drifting madness and you can see all kinds of cars, including trucks, around these maniacs. Some people just shouldn’t be allowed to get behind the wheel.
Despite what we consider as bland styling, the Honda Accord Crosstour still has plenty of room for improvement. During the SEMA Auto Show, we saw the potential of the Accord Crosstour to look exponentially better once you add a few dinks and dunks on the car’s aesthetic design.
Looking a lot more aggressive than its standard looks, the SEMA-spec HFP Accord Crosstour certainly looks as if it has been dressed to impress. Featuring a full body kit courtesy of HFP, the Accord Crosstour’s overall look is further improved by the installation of a new front grille as part of the tuner’s body kit. The Accord Crosstour was also given a prototype lowered HFP sport suspension, color-matched door handles, a special black-out door sash trim, and a set of 19” HFP PDS-10 wheels wrapped in Yokohama ADVAN ST 245/50-series tires.
All the additions certainly brought out the Accord Crosstour’s fresh and aggressive look, something the standard version somehow failed to do. With the changes, the car now looks a whole lot more presentable than what it used to look like without the styling changes. Kudos to HFP on a job well done.
Honda has unveiled details on the 2011 Accord, both coupe and sedan version. When it will go on sale in August, the 2011 Accord will get new exterior and interior styling, improved fuel economy, and the addition of a new trim level.
For the exterior the 2011 Accord Sedan will get a new style for the front grille, front bumper, and rear deck lid, along with a new wheel design. The coupe version will get a bolder front grille design, new front bumper shape, enhanced brakelight appearance, and a new wheel design for V-6 models.
For the interior, all models will get generous standard equipment, world-class ergonomics, and intuitive vehicle controls. The new leather-equipped Special Edition (SE) trim level includes leather-trimmed seating, heated seats, driver’s power-lumbar support, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel.
Like with the 2010 model, the 2011 Accord will be offered with a choice of two engines: a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 177 HP and a 3.5 liter V6 engine with an output of 271 HP. The V6 engine will deliver a fuel economy of 19 city/30 highway mpg, an improvement of 1 mpg in highway driving.
Hit the jump to get full details on the 2011 Honda Accord.
The Honda Accord Crosstour entered the market last year and it is walking into the 2011 model year pretty much unchanged. There are actually just a few changes made on the interior and, of course, a new price that is a little higher than 2010. Like with the previous model year, there will be two trim levels, the EX and EX-L, first priced at $29,790 and the second one at $34,140.
New for 2011, the most frequently used climate control buttons are now positioned on the left side of the control stack, closer to the driver for ease-of-use. Less-frequently used buttons are now positioned on the right side. Under the hood there is the same 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine that delivers a total of 271 HP at 6,200 RPM and 254 lb-ft. of torque at 5,000 RPM. The engine is mated to an automatic transmission that includes a new G-force hold control feature along with an RPM rev-matching featuring when downshifting.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2011 Honda Accord Crosstour.
As one of the most esteemed auto magazines in the world, Car and Driver’s annual “Top 10 Cars” is always a good barometer for automakers to see if one – or maybe two – of their vehicles made it to the list. With a readership that spans the entire world, Car and Driver’s Top 10 list is read by millions of people so it’s kind of a big deal for these companies. From the usual suspects to a number of new surprises, the “Top 10 Cars” will reveal what cars the magazine is highly recommending for the next calendar year.
In determining which cars make it to the list, editor-in-chief, Eddie Alterman explains: “In our testing, we are looking for those automobiles that deliver spectacular value, real driver engagement, and the highest fulfillment of their intended mission.”
He continues: “Our testing takes place over a week on real roads in the real world, marshaling more than 60 new test cars and our entire editorial staff. It’s a real workout, and the best cars on the market emerge victorious."
For 2011, the list has a number of old guards that have made multiple appearances while there are others that are making their inaugural face-time. Just to give you an idea on what to expect, three American, German, and Japanese models made it to the list with the other spot going to a model from South Korea. There are also three cars – the Audi S4, the Mazda3, and the Ford Fusion Hybrid – that dropped out of the list, which means that you’re going to be seeing a number of new entries making it to the Top 10.
So without further ado, Car and Driver’s “Top 10 Cars for 2011” after the jump.
Our friends over at Honda Malaysia understand the market’s inclination and preference for dressed up white vehicles. So instead of letting these customers worry about how to dress up their Hondas, Honda Malaysia decided to do the dressing up for them.
Honda Malaysia President and COO Rohime Shafie explained that through a survey conducted by the company, they discovered that a number of their customers preferred the addition of extra accessories to further establish sportiness and exclusivity to the cars.
“With this finding, and in view of the increasing trend of preference for white shaded vehicles in Malaysia market, we have created a fleet of white-coloured Concept M special edition models to fulfill customers’ demand,” he said.
With the introduction of the Concept M models, Honda Malaysia has given three of its models – the Accord, the Civic, and the Jazz – kitted-out, special edition variants. Named in honor of Honda’s two official accessories partners Mugen and Modulo, the Concept M models are taken to a whole new dressed up variant, all while sporting the increasingly popular white finish. The results are three dressed up Honda vehicles that will have customers tripping over each other in an effort to get one of these limited edition models for themselves.
Details after the jump
First off, a race car is a highly strung, precise piece of equipment, which is why they usually begin life as a brand new showroom model. Whether Danish company Hartmann Racing were in the mood for a challenge, or simply wanted a unique way to dispose of their championship-winning driver, James Thompson, is unclear. Clearly we’re kidding, but you get the point.
For them to rebuild a race car from the mangled wreck that once resembled their European Touring Car Cup Honda Accord is clearly not the norm. Nevertheless, they have succeeded in resurrecting the car in a period of no less than 2 months or 600 man hours - an achievement they can definitely be proud of.
“I did feel convinced that the car had had driven its last metres as a racing car,” admitted team owner Hans Hartmann. “It had been a really big bang. Afterwards the data logging equipment told us that the car had reached a speed of 154 km/h when it hit the two stationary vehicles. But the car’s power box, which we have developed and which has been used by Porsche in their LMP2 car, soon realized that it was unusual for a racing car to go that sideways over such a long distance, so it automatically cut off the fuel supply to the engine and all the electrics and thus prevented even bigger damage.”
Now the car is ready for its next challenge, the third and final round of FIA’s European Touring Car Cup that will be run on October 16th-17th at Franciacorta in Italy, where James Thompson will defend his current championship lead. He’s a brave man for getting behind the wheel of a rebuild such as this, never mind racing it to the limit and beyond!
That didn’t take long.
Barely a year after it first dropped on the market, the 2010MY Honda Accord Crosstour is now being recalled in the US after potential problems with the car’s front passenger airbags were discovered.
According to the Japanese automaker, the airbags may not have been assembled using correct specifications and as such, creates an increased possibility that the airbags may not deploy in the event of a crash. While no incidents have been reported from this problem, Honda is taking the necessary precautions to ensure that they solve the problem before an accident involving one of these cars occurs.
As such, over 3,300 units of the Honda Accord Crosstour are being subjected to the recall. For this recall, Honda is expected to have its dealerships inspect and replace the airbag module on the passenger seat at no cost to the customer. The recall is likewise expected to begin on September 22. For more information on the recall, owners of the Accord Crosstour can contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
The Honda Accord has been the Iron Man of the midsize sedan market for generations. Now, with the great Accord name on the back, Honda has created an all-new version of the family sedan. Meet the Accord Crosstour, which adds a touch of modern versatility and a premium ride to the Accord lineup.
The Crosstour is Honda’s take on the swoopy five-door coupe-like crossover that seems to be making its rounds in the automotive world. So, is the new Crosstour good enough to be called an Accord?
If you think this design is new then you would be quite mistaken. The 2010 Accord Crosstour is just another five-door utility in the market. BMW has the X6, Toyota has the Venza, and Acura has the ZDX.
Amazingly, despite being nearly the same company, the Acura ZDX is not at all similar to the Crosstour. The ZDX is based on a truck chassis, while the Crosstour is pure Accord.
Hit the jump to keep reading.
This is precisely why it’s hard to blame someone for losing their top when they get upset at people who either don’t care that their parking skills are horrible at best, or that they’re just terrible at the rather simple practice.
This photo, which was taken by a member of The370Z forum, shows aHonda Accord Hybrid parking a little too close to a 40th Anniversary Nissan 370Z, which incidentally belongs to a member of the aforementioned forum. For the life of us, we have no idea how the driver of the Accord could park this close to the 370Z without at least noticing it. We just hope that the owner of the rare 370Z has a forgiving heart because if we were in his shoes, it would be a test of patience and kind-heartedness for us to not get upset over this.
Who are we kidding? We’d slaughter them.
Photo credit: Cunnos
A few years ago, Amanda Pogany, a school teacher from Brooklyn, had a nice, little Honda Accord to call her very own. Unfortunately, her ride was stolen from her, leaving her without her noble steed for three-and-something years.
Today, Amanda Pogany drives an Accord, which, in actuality, is the same car that was stole from her. Well, it’s still the same except for a few changes - or modifications - in the form of a new engine, a new set of tires, new rims, new windows, and a new manual tranny.
We don’t now if Robin Hood was behind the theft of this car, but we figured the reunion between Pogany and her Honda - in all its tuned-up glory - was something she, or any one of us, ever expected.
Normally, we’d be the first ones to chastise the driver of this Honda Accord for this could-have-avoided accident. But since the driver is pretty high up on his years, we’re going to excuse it to a case of mistakenly pushing the accelerator pedal as he was backing in to a parking space. Instead of slowing down and braking the Accord, the old man accidentally pushed the accelerator and the car shot up and backed into a billboard.
Needless to say, the Accord was caught in a pretty precarious position. Fortunately, the man wasn’t seriously injured from his unexpected thrill ride and last we heard, he chalked it up to just a bad case of pushing the wrong pedal.
So you’re safe for now, Honda. No recalls are coming – at least not yet.
When you do see an animated squirrel in one of the commercials that will air during the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl please don’t think that’s it a trailer for a one of those new CGI 3D movies.
The commercial is actually for Honda’s new Accord Crosstour and it shows the said squirrel – or is it chipmunk? – moving a number of different things, including a pineapple, a trophy, and a set of weights into what turns out to be the cargo area of the Crosstour.
Don’t ask us why Honda chose a squirrel or why they decided to go the animated route for their Super Bowl commercial. But quirkiness aside, the commercial does touch significantly on the large storage space of the Accord Crosstour, which, incidentally, is one of the selling points of the new car.
One of the really cool things about being in Germany is that when you hail a cab, you’re flagging down something that’s more than a taxi; more often than not, what you’re getting is a Mercedes.
But now, there’s a new car that’s going to start making rounds in the land of the autobahn and while it’s not as luxurious as a Merc, it sure has something that Mercedes can’t boast of: it’s completely brand-new.
We’re talking the all-new European Honda Accord Tourer, which will be making its debut in Germany as a taxi. Powered by a a 2.2-liter i-DTEC four-cylinder diesel that churns out an output of 150 horsepower and 350Nm of peak torque, the new Accord Tourer – or Accord Tourer Elegance, as it will come to be known – will be making the rounds along the streets of Germany with an unmistakable taxi roof sign attached to it.
While the car is scheduled to have all the features of a standard Accord Tourer – electric tailgate, cruise control, leather steering wheel, heated front seats, MP3-capable CD player, dual-zone automatic climate control and 16-inch alloy wheels, to name a lot - it does have some functions that are unique to its kind. Among them include a taximeter case, wireless telephones and special brackets for the taxi sign.
So when you happen to find yourself in Germany anytime soon and you flag down a taxi that has a Honda logo emblazoned on the front, count your blessings. That ride is as new as it can get.
The Japanese automaker Honda has just reveled the first details on their all new crossover variant based on the popular Accord sedan, the Accord Crosstour, as it will be known will be placed at the top of the Honda Accord family and is slated to go on sale this Fall after today’s online debut.
The new Accord Crosstour’s design is inspired by the Accord’s familiar body lines and adds a bolder front grille that is complemented by a bolder and more muscular front bumper giving the Crosstour an aggressive stance while the wedge shaped C pillars add a bit of a fastback appeal to the sporty CUV. The flowing roofline narrows smoothly into the rear of the vehicle to create an attractive set of hips, which also makes for a rather large cargo area that can fit a bit more than the traditional sedan.
With the Honda Accord Crosstour, the world’s largest engine manufacturer is getting into the game of plus sized luxury sedans that offer the practicality of a wagon while at the same time giving the owner the appearance of driving an SUV. It should only be a matter of time before we see an Acura badged variant to compete with other high end crossovers.
UPDATE 07/15/2010: Check out our review of the Honda Accord Crosstour by clicking here.
Press release after the jump.
Honda has been presented at SEMA Show with a 2010 Accord sedan equipped with Mugen accessories. The list of accessories will be available at Honda dealers starting November 11th.
The Mugen accessories for the Accord will include: 18-inch alloy wheels, front sports grille, front under-spoiler, side spoiler, rear under-spoiler, sports floor mats, machined aluminum oil filler cap and a distinctive front emblem. All of the painted parts will come color-matched to one of five popular Accord sedan colors: Polished Metal Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, White Diamond Pearl and Taffeta White. MUGEN, under license by M-TEC Co., Ltd., of Japan, has been closely associated with Honda for decades in the design and manufacture of racing and premium performance components.
Press release after the jump.


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The mobile app market is a monstrous place for marketers and brands. We are witnessing an avalanche in the number of mobile apps, triggered by unprecedented growth in smartphone adoption and usage globally. The good news: the global App Economy is firing on all cylinders. The not-so-good news: this rapid expansion is stretching the search, marketing and brand protection models that have allowed this new economy, and the global business ecosystem it supports, to flourish.
In short, massive growth confronts marketers with massive challenges.
See the digital App Economy through the lens of physical store retail, and you can see the virtual shelves of the app stores are overflowing with apps. Pocketgamer, which tracks the number of apps submitted to the Apple App Store since 2008, reports that the month of January alone saw 800+ submissions daily. That’s over 25,000 new apps! The abundance of apps is bad news for app companies and marketers vying for consumer attention, which, unlike apps, is in frighteningly short supply.
Little wonder that discoverability tops the list of challenges, according to State Of Mobile App Developers, a global survey of 1,000+ developers conducted by global mobile advertising and discovery platform InMobi. “Getting apps discovered is the fundamental challenge that every app marketer faces,” the report states. “With millions of apps across iOS, Android, Windows Phone and other platforms, standing out in the boundless sea of available apps is becoming increasingly difficult.” To make matters worse, search rules as the de facto interface to navigate the app stores. Attribution and analytics company Tune, which surveyed 2,100 mobile users, found that a whopping 67% of mobile app installs happened after an app store search and not via a direct link.
It’s great to achieve massive numbers of app downloads, but it is also critical to ensure your apps – everywhere – are aligned with your brand guidelines. Brand trust is under attack from a flood of “fake apps,” turning up the pressure on marketers to maintain brand integrity and boost consumer trust – or risk losing both to rogue apps.
Case in point: The explosion of counterfeit commerce apps (reported in the NYT) that managed to slip through app store review processes during the last holiday season, deceiving shoppers and harming brand reputation. As many of these fake apps are also employing paid search to propel them to the top of the results screen, there is a critical requirement for marketers to manage their brand – before and after the download.
The goal of every brand is to attract as many users as possible to their app. Mobile analytics, monetization, and advertising company Flurry reminds us that the App Economy, which just celebrated its 10th anniversary, has “grown into a dog-eat-dog world.”
Smart companies are looking beyond the iTunes App Store and Google Play, mapping out a multiple app store strategy to reach a larger market with their app. These alternative app store environments offer a variety of benefits, allowing app developers to boost brand profile, reach new audiences and expand to new geographies. From Amazon Appstore (one of the biggest Android app stores in both reach and rate of growth) to The Opera Mobile Store (the app store owned and operated by Opera Software ASA that reports a user base of more than 100 million monthly users across 230 countries) opportunity is calling.
Beyond the app store duopoly
Connect the dots, and the App Economy is evolving, flourishing, and outgrowing the duopoly that controlled how apps are marketed and monetized. To borrow from a detailed post over at Gamasutra, there is “Life beyond Google.”
Fortunately, U.K. startup appScatter is focused on helping brands and enterprises understand and grasp this massive opportunity. “There are huge benefits to featuring your app on a global scale. It can mean significant gains for your app or brand – but it can also be hard work,” appScatter founder Philip Marcella tells me.
At one level, it’s just too much red tape. Each store has slightly different requirements ranging from dozens of different screen shots and marketing descriptions in different languages to age ratings, categories, pricing and submissions methods. Moreover, navigating the local tax codes and deciphering withholding tax waivers can be a nightmare. At the other end of the spectrum, it’s tough to track the competition. You need reams of app store data and research to determine where your competition is and where you can distribute your app to build your competitive advantage, not drain it.
It’s why appScatter – which monitors 300+ app stores worldwide, and counting – has chosen to architect what Marcella calls a “mobile strategy platform.” The offer is gaining traction as the only service that addresses the complete range of distribution, tracking, performance and business intelligence needs and issues companies and brands have as they bring their apps to a wider audience. It also highlights the three key components of an effective strategy brands can follow to tap the vast distribution opportunities offered by alternative app stores.
#1 Know where you want to be. Once you know where you want to be, your journey is just beginning. Imagine your app is available in 75 additional app stores and your engagement metrics are off the charts. You still need access to data and analytics to validate KPIs and drive user acquisition campaigns. Make sure you do your homework to know the app stores that are the best fit with your target audience – and objectives – and ensure you monitor how each app is performing (downloads, sales and ranking etc.) in a way that conserves your resources, not squanders them.
#2 Watch your back – and brand. Distributing, managing and tracking your apps across multiple alternative app stores comes with its share of challenges. Ideally, you want an approach that automates and streamlines the process. But the need for speed isn’t your only concern. In a world where rogue apps and app piracy are on the rise, you need visibility that will allow you to protect your IP (Intellectual Property) and preserve your brand.
#3 Make data your daily routine. If it’s mobile marketing in 2017, then it is data-driven. What you don’t know can hurt you. Business intelligence about the app store landscape covers only one side of the equation. You also need competitive intelligence about your app rivals to keep tabs on and – ultimately – stay ahead of the pack.
There is a wealth of opportunity for marketers who tap the vast distribution opportunities offered by alternative app stores. It starts with a clear understanding of the unique characteristics of each app store and their business practices, and it extends to approaches that monitor app performance, track app interactions and – ultimately – ensure brand integrity.

domain: news


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Digital TV News: Skyworth Digital
Skyworth and SURE Universal collaborate on IoT and voice assistance
Mar 26, 2019 – Skyworth Digital and SURE Universal have announced an R&D collaboration working to develop IoT and voice assistant capabilities. Once a proof of concept has been completed, the technologies will be applied to Skyworth's set-top box products.
News categories: Skyworth, SURE Universal, Steve Long, Dr. Viktor Ariel, China, Digital TV, Israel, Set Top Box, Smart Home, Worldwide
Sofia Digital showcases HbbTV OpApp at HbbTV Symposium
Nov 19, 2018 – At the 7th HbbTV Symposium and Awards 2018, Sofia Digital partnered with SERAPHIC and Panasonic to show an OpApp demo. The demo was displayed on a Panasonic Smart TV and on Skyworth Digital’s OpApp-compliant STB.
News categories: Sofia Digital, SERAPHIC, Mika Kanerva, Xinwen Xue, Apps, Digital TV, Germany, HbbTV, Set Top Box, Smart TV, Worldwide
Skyworth Digital selected to supply latest Tata Sky DVB-S2 STB
Sep 16, 2018 – Skyworth Digital has been selected by Tata Sky to supply its latest DVB-S2 set-top box. Skyworth Digital continues to develop its network of partners throughout the pay-TV ecosystem, to reducee operator time-to-market.
News categories: Skyworth Digital, Tata Sky, Stephen Hau, Yigs Riza, Digital TV, DVB-S2, IBC2019, India, Set Top Box
Skyworth and SERAPHIC partner to deliver OpApp compliant STBs in Italy
Sep 14, 2018 – Skyworth Digital has announced a collaboration with SERAPHIC to deliver OpApp (Operator Application) compliant STBs for Italian operator Tivùsat. The new products will be on the market in November, 2018.
News categories: SERAPHIC, Skyworth Digital, Xinwen Xue, Celine Guo, Digital TV, HbbTV, IBC2019, Italy, Satellite, Set Top Box
Skyworth Digital and SURE Universal turn the STB into a Smart Home gateway
Sep 13, 2018 – Skyworth Digital and SURE Universal have announced a Smart Home IoT solution for Operators. The collaboration between the two companies transforms standard set-top box hardware into a comprehensive Smart Home solution.
News categories: Skyworth, SURE Universal, Charlie Zheng, Viktor Ariel, Digital TV, IBC2019, Middleware, Set Top Box, Smart Home, Worldwide
SERAPHIC to launch commercial OpApp solution at IBC2018
Sep 4, 2018 – SERAPHIC has announced that its Sraf OpApp solution, which is now ready for commercial use, will be officially launched at IBC2018. The product is compliant with Operator Application specification ETSI TS 103 606 V1.1.1 (2018-05).
News categories: SERAPHIC, Xinwen Xue, Apps, Digital TV, IBC2019, Set Top Box, Smart TV, Worldwide
Skyworth deploys SERAPHIC-based HbbTV STBs in Croatia
Mar 30, 2018 – SERAPHIC has announced that Skyworth Digital has chosen to join hands with SERAPHIC again to deploy SERAPHIC’s HbbTV browser on set-top boxes shipped in Croatia. SERAPHIC provides a Blink-based HbbTV solution for smart TVs and STBs.
News categories: SERAPHIC, Skyworth, Ye Wang, Celine Guo, Croatia, Digital TV, HbbTV, Set Top Box
Skyworth and SERAPHIC move on to HbbTV 2 STBs for Europe
Sep 12, 2017 – Skyworth Digital has revealed that it will continue cooperation with SERAPHIC to deliver HbbTV 2 compliant, interactive STBs for the European market. Skyworth and SERAPHIC have been working together since 2015.
News categories: SERAPHIC, Skyworth, Ye Wang, Louis Fang, Digital TV, Europe, HbbTV, HTML5, Set Top Box
MaxLinear cable receiver IC adopted by Skyworth for China STB
Sep 5, 2017 – MaxLinear (NYSE:MXL) has announced that Skyworth is shipping a new smart cable gateway set-top box (STB) based on the MaxLinear MxL214C Full-Spectrum Capture cable front-end receiver.
News categories: MaxLinear, Skyworth, Will Torgerson, BaoCheng Chang, Cable TV, China, Digital TV, Semiconductor, Set Top Box
- Pay-TV Innovation Forum reveals LatAm key findings
- Beeline deploys Kaltura TV Platform in Kazakhstan
- Spearad launches monetization technology for addressable TV and audio
- SmartLabs migrates legacy boxes for StarNet TV in Moldova
- New global launch dates confirmed for Disney+
- Viacom and ACCESS partner on automotive TV in Germany
- Australians turn to multiple subscriptions for entertainment
- Broadband usage patterns provide clues to imminent cord-cutting
- TELUS Home Assistant giving Optik TV customers hands-free voice control
- Amobee launches data marketplace for connected TV and multiscreen advertising
- Sky Media reveals power of addressable TV
- Charter agrees deal to distribute Disney streaming services
- Consolidated launches TV over Fiber-to-the-Premises in Columbia County, New York
- Global smart speaker sales grow 96% to 30.3 million in Q2 2019
- Comscore to provide measurement for Xandr's addressable offering
- CBS and Viacom to combine
- U.S. STB energy agreement savings top $5 billion
- GO Malta deploys Edgeware solutions for multiscreen TV
- Major U.S. pay-TV providers lost ~1.53 million subscribers in 2Q 2019
- Most smart speakers and video streamers are energy efficient


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Currently, alongside LG, Samsung is the largest supplier of iPhone displays, the company reportedly produces 70 percent of the LTPO OLED screens of the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus OLED, and the iPhone 11 Pro and 14 Pro Max. Meanwhile, the Chinese competitor, that is, BOE, is only responsible for the production of the 6.1-inch panels, which will eventually be placed on the front of the base model. According to the latest reports, the roles will soon be reversed, and the Chinese will provide the majority of the displays.
According to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the balance of power will begin to shift in the direction of the BOE this year. The Chinese company is said to have overtaken Samsung and obtained the largest screen order for the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models. It is expected that they will produce 70 percent of the total amount of displays, and Samsung will be responsible for the rest.
Next year, the focus will be on LTPO panels, which will continue to be on the Pro models. LG and Samsung will continue to provide panels for these premium models in the future, but according to the analyst, the Chinese can also fulfill 20-30 percent of these orders. In other words, if BOE produces 70 percent of the displays for the basic models, plus approximately one third of the displays for the Pro models, they will be the largest supplier of iPhone displays in the second half of 2024.
The Chinese manufacturer is expected to greatly increase the number of deliveries in the coming years. According to Ming-Chi Kuo’s forecast, BOE’s profits will increase, which will be made possible by the fulfillment of orders for medium and large OLED and mini-LED displays for Apple, not to mention that the cheaper mobiles with bendable screens running the Android system they will also assist in its production.


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Join Harry as he speaks with Frank Reig, founder and co-owner of Revel Electric Rideshare.
You’ll walk away knowing how electric vehicles pave the way for rideshare drivers.
Specifically, Revel runs a unique business model that benefits rideshare drivers tired of taking on all the risk themselves by offering a W-2 opportunity.
Listen to why this business model changes how rideshare drivers work in major cities like NYC and San Francisco.
Listen To RSG245 With Frank Reig Now
And don’t forget to hit subscribe so you’re always on top of the latest rideshare news.
- Frank Reig breaks down what Revel is and how it operates.
- He discusses not only Revel’s business model and how they make money but also how rideshare drivers in large cities like NYC and San Francisco can benefit from this model.
- Revel went from a moped-sharing service to an electric rideshare service that hires employees as W-2 drivers.
- Revel pivoted their business model in 2020 and has grown ever since.
- The Revel driver model takes the risk off drivers who drive for Uber or Lyft.
- Drivers don’t need their own car.
- They also don’t need insurance and gas or have to cover any other expenses.
- They show up to work, drive, and go home.
- The average Revel driver makes $24 to $26 an hour, including tips.
- Revel drivers make a per-hour fee and, like Uber or Lyft, keep 100% of the tips earned.
- Revel benefits from this model by maximizing the use of electricity while giving drivers a chance to earn money.
- Uber and Lyft drivers in NYC have to work 60+ hours a week to turn a profit after all the expenses.
- Revel drivers don’t have that problem and can work as many or as few hours as they want.
- Because Revel drivers are W-2 employees, they get perks like PTO, sick days, insurance, and unemployment benefits.
- There are downsides for Revel:
- They can’t operate in all cities, only those with the infrastructure for charging stations and high demand for trips.
- Revel’s prices are similar to Uber X and Lyft; they don’t charge Uber Black prices.
- Most drivers drive Tesla 3s or Ys, but they have introduced the Kia Niro.
- The Kia Niro mostly goes to drivers who drive for Revel 50+ hours a week and take the car home versus coming to the depot to pick up the car.
- The normal operation for drivers is to come to one of their three depots (soon to be four with a new one in Queens), pick up the car, drive for the day and return it.
- Most Revel cars do 100 hours a week
- Because EVs have lower maintenance costs, this business model works
Watch RSG245 On YouTube
Watch our YouTube episode to learn more about the excitement of EV ridesharing, and don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss a thing!


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|Designer Nguyễn Công Trí (holding flowers) opens the Aquafina Vietnam International Fashion Week 2020 with his collection “Màu Của Tôi” (My Colour). — Photo courtesy of the organiser|
HCM CITY — Việt Nam’s leading designer Nguyễn Công Trí presented his new collection called “Màu Của Tôi” (My Colour) to open the Aquafina Vietnam International Fashion Week (AVIFW) 2020 at the Nguyễn Du Gymnasium in HCM City last night.
Trí’s collaborative collection with Aquafina aiming to youth features over 60 silk, leather and metallic designs in vivid colour, with op art and animal prints.
According to Trí, “Màu Của Tôi” conveys a message of hope, dream and revival through designs with inspirational colour schemes.
He said: “Each individual has a specific and unique colour, but the colour harmony among the people has created an endless beauty of the world."
"I’m proud of my own colour. Let love the colour you have because it is the most beautiful, honest and proud colour in this life,” he added.
Trí’s designs were performed by Việt Nam’s top models like Thanh Hằng, Võ Hoàng Yến, Hoàng Thùy and Minh Tú, and special guests Miss Việt Nam 2020 Đỗ Thị Hà, Miss Việt Nam 2018 Trần Tiểu Vy and Miss World Vietnam 2019 Lương Thùy Linh.
The opening show also saw the new collection of fashion brand Elisabetta Franchi from Milan, Italy
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lê Thị Quỳnh Trang, President of AVIFW and Chairwoman of Council of ASEAN Fashion Designers, said that: “I’m still nervous when thinking of a very tough year of 2020. While the COVID-19 pandemic has spread all over the world, in Việt Nam, there are still hidden risks. If we don’t have belief and hope, we have no strength to overcome the fear. Therefore, we decided to keep organising AVIFW 2020.”
“And I think it’s an opportunity to elevate the status of Vietnamese fashion on the global map of fashion. That’s why we chose AVIFW 2020’s theme is “The Future Is Now - Now is Here - Here is Việt Nam,” she added.
The AVIFW 2020 has participants of 17 Vietnamese designers and brands. The event will close on December 6. VNS
|Miss Việt Nam 2020 Đỗ Thị Hà, Miss Việt Nam 2018 Trần Tiểu Vy and Miss World Vietnam 2019 Lương Thùy Linh (from left to right) walk at Công Trí’s show. Photo courtesy of the organiser|
|Vietnamese top model Hoàng Thùy in Công Trí’s design with op art prints. Photo courtesy of the organiser|
|Vietnamese top models Võ Hoàng Yến (L) and Minh Tú wear Công Trí’s designs with animal prints. Photo courtesy of the organiser|
|Vietnamese top model Thanh Hằng as a showstopper at Công Trí’s show. Photo courtesy of the organiser|


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Facebook recently refused to run Christmas buying guide advertisements from Christian gaming review website “Christ Centered Gamer,” a decision the social media giant told Breitbart News was an “error,” but the company has made no move to reverse the decision and has not contacted Christ Centered Gamer since.
Popular Christian video game review website Christ Centered Gamer ran into issues when attempting to advertise on Facebook recently when the social media platform refused to publish their advertisement. Christ Centered Gamer (CCG) publishes a yearly Christmas buying guide, listing some of the most fun and family-friendly games for Christian parents to purchase. The website attempted to run an advertisement on Facebook to promote its buying guide but the ad was refused by Mark Zuckerberg’s platform, the second largest digital advertiser in the world.
Christ Centered Gamer described the aim of its website in an email to Breitbart News stating: “When we review a game, we look at many factors, including gameplay, graphics, sound, stability, and controls, like many traditional reviews do. From the moral perspective, we include violence, language, sexual content, occult/supernatural, and cultural/moral/ethical issues. ”
“As for sexual content, we point out any sex outside of Biblical marriage, including homosexual content. Like other moral factors, we mention its presence and leave it up to the reader to decide if it’s for them or not. Some readers may take offense to pointing these things out, but we strongly believe that following the Bible on what is right and wrong is very important to us. On the flip side, it is often our attempt to be as objective as we can be that has drawn in many non-believers to our site.”
Christ Centered Gamer’s unique approach is to give video games separate scores for the two categories — a traditional gaming review score and a morality score. This has come to be appreciated even by non-religious gamers, who frequently struggle with progressive gaming blogs that mix politics with gaming.
Below is a screenshot of the advertisement provided by Christ Centered Gamer to Breitbart News. Below the advertisement, the words “Not Approved” can be seen highlighted in red, indicating that the ad was not approved to be shared on Facebook’s advertising network.
Breitbart News reached out to Facebook to question why Christ Centered Gamer’s advertisement was not allowed on the platform. Facebook responded that the refusal was, in fact, an “error.” A Facebook spokesperson told Breitbart News: “The ad was incorrectly rejected and we apologize for the error. We review millions of posts each week and sometimes we make mistakes. The ad is now live on Facebook.”
However, Christ Centered Gamer says they have yet to receive a notification that their advertisement is running on the platform. As of publication, the editorial staff of the site has not been contacted by Facebook.
Breitbart News will be following this story closely and updating as the situation develops.


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Fever FM's faux shutdown for rebranding prompts industry experts to question the tactic's credibility.
The CEO's announcement strategy raises debates on the appropriateness of marketing stunts.
Industry voices criticise the gimmicky approach, questioning the need for sensationalism.
Experts say the elaborate charade prompts ethical scrutiny and highlights potential creative lethargy.
Recently, HT Media Group’s Fever FM, sent shockwaves through its audience by announcing a shutdown, only to reveal a strategic rebranding exercise shortly afterwards. The CEO, Ramesh Menon, took to LinkedIn to share the news, attributing the decision to evolving trends in the media industry and hinting at the perceived decline of the radio sector.
The initial announcement garnered mixed reactions, with some expressing genuine sorrow at the apparent loss of their beloved radio station. However, astute observers on LinkedIn were quick to point out similar tactics employed by job search site Monster.com during its rebranding to 'foundit,' in November 2022.
Menon later addressed the audience again, this time unveiling the campaign Purana Radio ab Khatam (Old Radio is now over) and introducing the refreshed version of Fever FM with the tagline Happening Hai (It's Happening). The faux demise, however, has triggered discussions on the ethical implications of such marketing tactics.
Industry voices weighed in on the matter, expressing divergent opinions on the appropriateness of Fever FM's deceptive manoeuvre.
Why even go this route?
Neeraj Sharma, former senior vice president, strategy at L&K Saatchi and Saatchi, acknowledges the long-standing tradition of using stunts in communication but cautioned about the potential negative impact.
He says, “There are many types of stunts marketers pull. Some that leave us jaw-dropped, some that make us smile or chuckle, and some that leave a bad taste in the mouth. What marketers need to carefully consider is that there is always a danger that consumers might not take such exercises lightly and it's definitely not the best way to create disruption.”
While Sharma believes that the trick doesn’t necessarily result in a monetary mishap, if the ploy isn’t quickly revealed then the reputational risks can loom large. He says, “The impact on revenue is too far-fetched. But if left for long it can have an impact on the brand’s image and perception. Or even worse, consumers might not even bother. And that one should be worried about.”
Sharma isn’t the only one feeling that such marketing trickery can land brands on the wrong side of consumer preferences. Ashraf Engineer, head of brand strategy at Ideosphere, deems the move gimmicky, emphasising that it raises doubts about the brand's credibility.
He states, “The objective was obviously to create as much of a buzz as possible. The move, however, is gimmicky and to my mind, it has more cons than pros. When the audience realises it has been had, it’s not going to walk away with a very favourable view of the brand. Also, to my mind, it raises questions over whether to believe the brand’s messages in the future.”
Whoever executed the campaign would probably claim that they achieved the objective of making people take notice. However, I’m not sure it’s the kind of attention they should be seeking. It reeks of desperation.Ashraf Engineer, head of brand strategy at Ideosphere
The brand clearly wanted to create as much talk as it possibly could. So, in that sense, did the entire charade meet the goal set out by the minds behind it? Engineer says, “Whoever executed the campaign would probably claim that they achieved the objective of making people take notice. However, I’m not sure it’s the kind of attention they should be seeking. It reeks of desperation.”
Also, what impact has it had on the CEO's reputation? You don’t often see the head of the company stepping in front of the limelight ready to take the loyal audiences on a ride.
Engineer opines, “He announced it, which meant he was the medium of the misleading that happened. I suppose, at the end of the day, you can offer creative liberty as a justification but is misleading audiences ever justified? I’m not sure it is and, more importantly, I’m not sure it works as a marketing tactic.”
Gimmick or a creative deficit?
The elaborate rebranding charade not only raises ethical concerns but also underscores a potential creative lethargy. Resorting to deceptive tactics, even in a playful manner, suggests a lack of innovative and authentic approaches to engage audiences. This theatrical exercise appears as a shortcut to grab attention, as per Tarun Singh Chauhan, partner, TSC Consulting.
He explains, “I think marketing is fairly simple. You create a proposition and sell the story. But some people want to dramatise it. These are all high-impact one-day stories to create some buzz. I just find these gimmicks to be a waste of money.”
You have your own platform. Your own reach. Hire a good creative agency and run a proper campaign for six months letting people know what your new identity is. Why introduce such elements of drama?Tarun Singh Chauhan, partner, TSC Consulting
For Chauhan, the entire schtick makes no sense in the way the rebranding was introduced. For a radio station that has its own audience, and its own platform, the need for sensationalism is redundant.
“You have your own platform. Your own reach. Hire a good creative agency and run a proper campaign for six months letting people know what your new identity is. Why introduce such elements of drama?”
Samit Sinha, who is the founder and managing partner at Alchemist Brand Consulting, says that the temptation of brands to resort to gimmicks in the competitive marketing landscape can backfire and lead to consumer backlash.
Especially when under the guise of a 'creative licence', brands resort to stunts that are too clever by half to gain instant publicity. These gimmicks often stray too close to the boundaries of ethicalitySamit Sinha, founder and managing partner, Alchemist Brand Consulting
He says, “Oftentimes, these are just gimmicks for the sake of gimmickry, which have no connection with the brand per se and are therefore not in the best long-term interests. Such instances can even immediately backfire by the brand’s inability to read the room, so to speak.”
While the brand might have been able to generate some conversations about the rebrand, the risks far outweigh the rewards, as per Sinha. He adds, “Especially when under the guise of a 'creative licence,' brands resort to stunts that are too clever by half to gain instant publicity. These gimmicks often stray too close to the boundaries of ethicality, legality and decency, and are therefore occasionally vulnerable to action by regulatory and legal authorities.”


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Economic Growth Council to move Jamaica from 'developing to developed'Monday, November 07, 2016
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Economic Growth Council is committed to moving Jamaica from "developing to developed".
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, council Chairman Michael Lee Chin and deputy chairman Nigel Clarke were on hand Monday at the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston for the launch and signing of the declaration for the Economic Growth Council.
Both Lee Chin and Holness signed the declaration.
But what exactly is the dream for Jamaica?
According to Lee Chin, the dream is to make Jamaica a place where merit is the only determinant of success.
Prime Minister Holness pointed out that the government's role is to facilitate the growth that the country is trying to achieve.
"Economic growth comes from the private sector and the role of government is to facilitate that growth," he said on Monday.
And the Economic Growth Council chairman, a successful businessman himself, admits that Jamaica is ripe for investment.
"Jamaica is a treasure trove of investment opportunities, and I know that," Lee Chin said.
Lee Chin went ahead and issued a call to action to liberate Jamaica.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Holness pointed out that the world is paying attention to Jamaica and pledged that the country will be made the place of choice in the region and the centre of the Caribbean.
Now you can read the Jamaica Observer ePaper anytime, anywhere. The Jamaica Observer ePaper is available to you at home or at work, and is the same edition as the printed copy available at https://bit.ly/epaper-login


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The U.S. is the world’s largest specialty chemicals market, estimated at $208 billion. As a subsector of this market, the coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers (CASE) markets accounted for over half, or $107 billion, in 2014.
A new label provides increased durability and readability in medical applications.
November 1, 2015
Solvay Specialty Polymers, a global supplier of high-performance thermoplastics, recently announced that S+P Samson GmbH, a manufacturer of specialty labels for industrial applications, has selected Radel® polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) film for the inlay of its new Structobond® labels for medical instrument and device applications.
This issue is a special one for the ASI staff, as it includes the announcement of the winner of the ASI Readers’ Choice Awards! Innovation is the backbone of the adhesives and sealants industry, and we created the ASI Readers’ Choice Awards to honor all of the industry’s hard work and ingenuity.