TORRANCE, California, Nov. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — American Honda Motor, Co., Inc. and FCA US LLC co-hosted the second installment of the “Automotive Safety Recall Best Practices Summit” on the Torrance, Calif. campus of Honda on Nov. 17-18. The summit provided another opportunity for global automakers to discuss, learn about and share best practices for improving response rates in vehicle safety recall campaigns.

Automotive professionals from 19 of the world’s major automakers participated in the two-day industry event. U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Recall Management Division Chief Jennifer Timian delivered opening remarks.

Similar to the first summit that took place in Detroit on May 24-25, the discussions in this second gathering were presented in a roundtable format, with extensive interaction and dialogue on topics such as recall parts management and distribution, call center support and engagement, customer and dealer communication, and recall management, completion rate improvements and reporting.

“Our first summit demonstrated the shared interest of automakers in finding new ways to increase recall completion rates,” said Steve Center, Vice President, Product Regulatory Office at American Honda. “This second meeting gave us an opportunity to continue to work toward industry-wide collaboration with an emphasis on enhancing customer safety, trust and recall completion rates.”

“It is incumbent on auto makers to continually explore the most effective means to engage customers and encourage timely response to recall notices,” said Mike Dahl, FCA US Head of Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance. “For this reason, we invited a panel of non-automotive executives to share their perspectives on recall management and customer communication.”

The first Automotive Safety Recall Best Practices Summit was organized by FCA as part of the company’s commitment to creating and embracing a proactive vehicle safety culture. The success of the summit led to a collaboration between FCA and American Honda that resulted in the two companies agreeing to co-host the second gathering.

About American Honda Motor, Co.
American Honda was established in Los Angeles, California in 1959.  Today, Honda companies in North America represent a cumulative investment of more than $22 billion and employ more than 40,000 associates in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, financing and servicing of Honda and Acura automobiles, Honda powersports products and Honda power equipment products. Honda has been producing products in America for more than 35 years and currently operates 16 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2015, more than 99 percent of all Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

About FCA US LLC
FCA US LLC is a North American automaker with a new name and a long history. Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, FCA US is a member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. FCA US designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles under the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and FIAT brands, as well as the SRT performance vehicle designation. The company also distributes the Alfa Romeo 4C model and Mopar products. FCA US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler, the innovative American automaker first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925; and Fiat, founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs, including Giovanni Agnelli.

FCA, the seventh-largest automaker in the world based on total annual vehicle sales, is an international automotive group. FCA is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FCAU” and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario under the symbol “FCA.”

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100923/HONDALOGO  

– California Racer Scores $100,000 Scholarship for 2017 Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup –

IRVINE, California, Nov. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — After two days of intense competition at NOLA Motorsports Park in Avondale, Louisiana, Matt Cresci from Los Gatos, California won the 2016 Mazda Road to 24 Shootout. The $100,000 scholarship that came with the victory is the largest prize in grassroots motorsports. Launched in 2006, the Mazda Road to 24 Shootout has promoted ten talented grassroots racers into the professional ranks.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161118/441246

By winning the shootout, Cresci has earned the resources to compete in the 2017 Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires. The 2017 MX-5 Cup season will begin the weekend of April 20-23 at the Barber Motorsports Park, near Birmingham, Alabama, during the Verizon IndyCar weekend.

Cresci earned his way into the shootout by being among the fastest Miata racers in the country, having competed in the Teen Mazda Challenge and NASA Spec Miata.  Cresci is a recent graduate of Santa Clara University with a business degree.

The Quotes:
Matt Cresci: “It is an indescribable feeling to achieve a goal that I have had for over fifteen years, it really is a dream come true. I look forward to my role as a Mazda Scholarship driver, and can’t thank Mazda enough for the opportunity to prove myself among such an outstanding field of competitors. Onwards and upwards!”

John Doonan, director of motorsports, Mazda North American Operations: “For our 11^th annual shootout, we raised the bar again with an intense competition among eight great racers.  The NOLA facility was perfect for our testing as it made for a level field, since none of the eight had raced there. This has become a signature event for Mazda and demonstrates our long-term commitment to supporting grassroots motorsports.”

Scott Goodyear, judge: “My first time as a judge for the Mazda Road to 24 Shootout was an eye-opening experience.   All eight competitors were very strong and have the raw talent to succeed.  It was a very tough process to select just one, and a thrill to be a part of the next generation of Mazda road-racers.”

The cars: Long Road Racing, the builders of the Mazda MX-5 Cup race car, prepared four 2016 Mazda Global MX-5 Cup racecars for the finalists to drive.  BFGoodrich Tires provided their g-Force tires for the competition.

The criteria: Given that each of the finalists had proven themselves on the track with race wins and championships, the criteria to move up needed to be more encompassing. To succeed on the professional level requires a balance of both on-track and off-track skills including the following:

• Driving ability – Fast laps/consistent laps
• Technical skills – Understanding of vehicle dynamics and suspension, ability to evaluate vehicle handling, and ability to analyze data
• The business of motorsports – Business proposal and presentation

The judges:  The judges brought a wealth of both on-track and off-track expertise. The panel consisted of:  

• Peter Calhoun – Motorsport Marketing Manager, BFGoodrich Tires. Among his duties, Calhoun oversees the longtime Mazda/BFG partnership.
• Andrew Carbonell – One of the leading Mazda racers competing in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge. Carbonell was also one of the lead test drivers in the development of the new MX-5 Cup race car.
• Robby Foley – A 2015 Mazda Road to 24 Scholarship winner, Foley scored two wins in the 2016 MX-5 Cup season.
• Scott Goodyear – The retired IndyCar race winner and current ESPN/ABC TV IndyCar and Indy 500 on-air analyst also competed as a factory sports car racer for Porsche (Le Mans 24 Hours), Jaguar (Rolex 24 at Daytona) and Audi.
• Spencer Pigot – The 2015 Indy Lights powered by Mazda champion competed in his first Indy 500 in 2016. Spencer has earned multiple Mazda Road to Indy scholarships, and also joins the factory driver line-up in the Mazda Prototype in the long-distance endurance races.
• Marcus Shen – The engineering director for the Mazda factory IMSA Prototype program. Shen is a Formula SAE alum from the University of Florida.

The Runner-ups for the 2016 Mazda Road to 24 Shootout were a strong group of racers from the SCCA, NASA, and iRacing.

• Michael Carter, Savannah, Georgia – At-Large Nominee – SCCA Spec Miata
• Julian Garfield, Mount Airy, Maryland – At-Large Nominee – SCCA SOLO
• Justin Hille, Ypsilanti, Michigan – SCCA Runoffs Spec Miata Champion
• Tyler Kicera, Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania – NASA East Spec Miata Champion
• Daniel Langon, Alamo, California – Teen Mazda Challenge Western Region Champion
• Matthew Machiko, Wexford, Pennsylvania – SCCA Runoffs Formula Mazda Champion
• Pablo Lopez Padin, A Coruña, Spain – iRacing Global Mazda MX-5 Combine Cup Champion

About Mazda Motorsports 
Mazda Motorsports boasts the most comprehensive auto racing development ladder system of any auto manufacturer in the world. The Mazda Road to 24 program offers a number of scholarships to advance drivers up the sports car racing ladder, beginning with the Global MX-5 Cup series and culminating with the Mazda Prototype team. The Mazda Road to Indy is a similar program that includes Mazda-powered categories of USF2000, Pro Mazda and Indy Lights. In grassroots road racing, more Mazdas race on any given weekend in North America than any other manufacturer. Mazda is also the title sponsor of the renowned Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif. Follow all of the latest news at MazdaMotorsports.com, @MazdaRacing on Twitter, and MazdaMotorsports on Instagram and Facebook.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131205/MM28870LOGO

TORRANCE, California, Nov. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Honda today announced a competitive introductory lease price of $369 a month for 36 months (plus tax) for the Clarity Fuel Cell sedan, which is coming to dealerships in California by the end of 2016. The lease requires $2,499 plus first month’s payment at lease signing (not including tax, registration or official fee). The lease terms include an attractive mileage allowance of 20,000 per year, up to $15,000 of hydrogen fuel, up to 21 days of an Avis Luxury Rental in California, and 24/7 roadside assistance.

“Launching the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell at an affordable lease price will enable more consumers to enjoy the benefits of this spacious and well-equipped fuel cell vehicle,” said Steve Center, vice president of the Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “With an EPA driving range rating of 366 miles, fast refueling and a growing network of hydrogen stations in key California markets, the Clarity Fuel Cell offers an experience on par with traditional gasoline vehicles.”

Retail leasing will be available to residents who live or work near Honda’s network of 12 approved fuel cell vehicle dealerships located in select California markets. This network includes six dealerships in Southern California, five in the Bay Area and one in Sacramento. Honda will further develop its dealer network as consumer friendly hydrogen fueling stations become available.

The Clarity Fuel Cell received an EPA driving range rating of 366 miles and fuel economy rating of 68 MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent) combined[1], giving it the best range rating of any zero-emission vehicle, which includes fuel cell and all-electric cars, in the United States.

Customers interested in the Clarity Fuel Cell are encouraged to visit http://automobiles.honda.com/clarity, where they can receive more information and sign up for the opportunity to become a Clarity Fuel Cell customer.

About the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

Technological innovations to the Clarity Fuel Cell have created a fuel cell stack that is 33 percent more compact than its predecessor with a 60 percent increase in power density compared to the outgoing Honda FCX Clarity. The more compact fuel cell and integrated powertrain, comparable in size to a V-6 engine, now fits entirely under the hood of the car, allowing for a more spacious cabin with seating for five passengers. The Clarity Fuel Cell features a class-leading driving range rating for zero-emission vehicles with its EPA range rating of 366 miles, with a refueling time of approximately three to five minutes.

As the next progression in Honda’s dynamic FCV styling, the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell features a low, wide aerodynamic body with clean character lines. The interior achieves a refined and harmonious experience using rich materials and intuitive, streamlined controls. Additional features include the Honda Sensing™ suite of safety and driver assistive technologies, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ for smartphone connectivity, distinctive LED exterior lighting and 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The Clarity Fuel Cell will be available in Crystal Black Pearl, White Orchid Pearl and signature Bordeaux Red Metallic exterior paint schemes.

Honda Fuel Cell Vehicle Leadership

Honda has led the industry for nearly two decades in the development and deployment of fuel cell vehicle technology through extensive real-world testing and customer deployments, including the world’s first government fleet customers and first-ever retail fuel cell vehicle consumer leasing program. Through this effort, Honda has collected valuable feedback concerning real-world use of both fuel cell vehicles and public hydrogen refueling stations.

Since the introduction of its first-generation fuel cell vehicle, the FCX, in 2002, Honda has made significant technological advancements in fuel cell vehicle operation in both hot and sub-freezing weather while meeting customer expectations and safety regulations.

Honda’s second-generation fuel cell vehicle, the FCX Clarity, launched in July 2008 and was quickly heralded as a technological breakthrough in the areas of design, packaging and efficiency. As the world’s first dedicated platform fuel cell vehicle, the FCX Clarity was powered by the smaller and lighter Honda V-flow fuel cell stack positioned in the center tunnel of the vehicle, with the smooth high torque front-wheel drive electric motor, providing performance on par with a gasoline powered sedan, including a 240 miles driving range rating.

Honda has deployed fuel cell vehicles in the U.S., Germany and Japan, including the FCX Clarity, which was named the 2009 World Green Car.

Honda Fuel Cell Vehicle Firsts

Honda fuel cell technology firsts include:

• The first EPA- and CARB-certified fuel cell vehicle (July 2002)
• The world’s first production fuel cell vehicle, introduced to the U.S. and Japan (December 2002)
• The first fuel cell vehicle to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures (2003)
• The first fuel cell vehicle leased to an individual customer (July 2005)
• The first manufacturer to build and produce a dedicated fuel cell vehicle (FCX Clarity) on a production line specifically made for fuel cell vehicles (2008)
• The first manufacturer to create a fuel cell vehicle dealer network (2008)

Honda Commitment to the Environment

Based on its vision of “Blue Skies for our Children,” Honda is working to advance technologies that address society’s environmental and energy concerns. Honda is targeting a 50 percent reduction in its total company CO₂ emissions on a global basis by 2050, compared to 2000 levels.  Starting in 2016, Honda will begin introduction of a new generation of the Honda Clarity series of vehicles, with the hydrogen-powered Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle, followed by a new Clarity Electric and Clarity Plug-In Hybrid in 2017, as the company strives to realize significant growth in sales of electrified vehicles.

[1] 69 city / 67 highway / 68 combined miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe) rating; 366-mile driving range rating. Based on 2017 EPA ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your MPGe and driving range will vary based on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, powertrain condition, and other factors.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161117/440980 

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140415/73520LOGO