Honda
sponsors September Luncheon and presents the New 2013 Honda Accord
By Paul Borden - Photos
by Marlen Bedoya
About 45
members and guests got a preview of the 2013 Honda Accord at the September
SAMA meeting at the Viceroy Hotel in Brickell.
The Accord includes several new features, including a new
CVT that will be the standard transmission in four-cylinder models, as it
moves into its ninth generation.
It is packed with lots of technological conveniences and
safety systems, many of them standard on EX and EX-L trim. Among them are
Honda LaneWatch, the company's new blind-spot warning system, lane
departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
Pricing runs from $21,680 for the base LX, an increase of
only $200 over the 2012 LX, to $33,430 for V6 Touring models.
The sedan version hit showrooms less than a week after the
meeting. Coupe models are due in October.
During the business session, members got a brief overview
of how Rides-N-Smiles is shaping up for 2012, which will be the fifth year
for the event that gives cancer patients from Baptist Children's Hospital
and Miami Children's Hospital and their families rides in luxury
performance cars around the road course at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Vice President Bill Adam has worked long and hard on making
this such an annual success.
This year will feature participation by Wounded Warrior
veterans as well as a parachute jump by the U.S. Army Golden Knights team
and a flyover by jets from the nearby Homestead Air Reserve Base.
Bill reminded members there will be plenty of opportunities
for members to help out at the event, which this year will be on Nov. 10
with rides starting at 9 a.m.
“Without question, it’s going to be the best we’ve had,”
Bill said.
In addition to giving an update on Rides-N-Smiles, Vice
President Adam also reminded members to give their support for the
upcoming Miami Auto Show. Media Day will be Nov. 9 and feature SAMA's
annual luncheon and presentation of awards.
Ron Beasley, who is in charge of the judging for awards and
also is honchoing the luncheon with Ariel Garcia-Linares, thanked Hyundai
for stepping up and sponsoring the press luncheon, which is one of SAMA’s
signature events.
John Kiskinis noted the 2012 show also will have many new
features, including a display highlighting SAMA's second annual Topless in
Miami convertible competition and an “eco-experience” track.
The popular Memory Lane display also has been upgraded.
SAMA members are reminded that giving exposure to such
events as the auto show and Rides-N-Smiles helps all of us. Especially
with Rides-N-Smiles, the support of manufacturers in providing the
vehicles is a must, and coverage is a good way of our giving them a big
“thank you.”
We also want to thank Sara Pines and other Honda
representatives Adrienne Hall and Chris Naughton for sponsoring our
September luncheon. We look forward to working with them at future
activities.
