We're only a couple weeks into 2012, but Honda has already shared with enthusiasts and loyal Honda drivers that they're planning to make the most of this year. Not only because that's just the way Honda does things, but because they were one of many automakers that took a few hits in 2011, and as the saying goes, what doesn't kill you only make you stronger. Right?

Exactly. Which is why, as Honda closed out 2011, they took a minute to reassure consumers that the devastating earthquake/tsunami in Japan followed by the floodwaters that swept through Thailand were merely a bump in the road. Production levels dropped in 2011, leaving many dealers, including Honda Cars of Aiken, short on inventory to meet the high demand for new Honda models in the United States. Honda wasn't the only major auto manufacture struggling in 2011, and we're happy to announce that many of these major names are back on their feet, and we have a lot to look forward to this year.

So what can you expect from the Big H this year? Well, according to John Mendel, Honda North America Executive VP of Auto Sales, "We want consumers to know we are back, and we are back in a big way."¹ That is to say, you can expect major refreshes of some of Honda's most popular models, including (but not limited to) the Honda Civic, Accord, and CR-V. Changes range from more aggressively styled exterior to roomier interiors to new powertrain options.

One model in particular that Honda Cars of Aiken is excited to see this year is the 2013 Honda Accord plug-in hybrid. The all-new Accord debuted at the Detroit Auto Show last week, and according to Honda, this is just a peek into the styling and engine options that we can expect from the Japanese automaker in the future.

Honda moved up the revamp of the Civic after reviewers commented that the changes made for the 2012 model year were just shy of the impressive upgrades they'd expected from. "The Civic (and subsequent reviews) reinforced for us the expectation customers have for Honda: they don't expect us to be good, they expect us to be exceptional," remarks Mendel. "That's not a bad thing but it can be a difficult thing."² Never one to back down in the face of a challenge, you can expect a completely restyled Civic late this year.

Also on our radar: the all-new Honda CR-V has started to hit dealerships, and shoppers and critics alike are impressed with all of the impressive styling and handling changes Honda made to this lineup favorite. If this is any hint at what Honda has planned for 2012, we're sure they're more than up for the challenge of a revamped Civic and plug-in Accord. Stop in and see us at Honda Cars of Aiken, 550 Jefferson Davis Hwy Warrenville, SC 29851 to learn more about all of the things you can expect from Honda this year.

Source: ¹http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/honda-plans-to-roar-back-in-2012.html