The brighter more Jazzy, Honda Jazz shows that brght colours make for a happier driver.

• Latest Honda colours brighten your life, but bold shades add more than flair
• Orange and yellow cars are among the safest on the road
• Bright cars statistically less likely to be in an accident
• Strong hues also give moods a lift, especially in Winter

We all need a little sunshine in our lives, especially as the days grow shorter and the nights get longer and darker.

And that’s why brightly coloured cars such as the new Honda Jazz could make all the difference between a good day and a bad one – in more ways than one.

The Honda Jazz is already one of the warmest and most cheerful cars on the road, thanks to its strong character, high levels of owner satisfaction and rewarding driving dynamics, but drivers who choose colours such as the model’s bold Sunset Orange and Attract Yellow Pearl are likelier to be happier – and safer – than most.

Psychologists have shown a strong link between colour and personality, with hues such as orange and yellow most popular with extroverts and satisfied people. According to the psychology website  www.verywell.com* orange is a colour that brings to mind feelings of excitement, enthusiasm, and warmth, while yellow is cheery and also warm. According to the site’s expert psychologists, yellow can also increase the metabolism, making it the perfect choice of cars for those looking to shed a few pounds ahead of Christmas.

But it’s not only in terms of mood and cheerfulness that owners of brighter cars are better off, with studies outlining some very clear safety benefits.

In the biggest ever global insight into the relationship between accident rates and car colours, a report from Australia’s Monash University, Melbourne, found that orange cars were statistically least likely to be involved in an accident, with other light or bright shades such as yellow, white and silver also faring well. Black and grey cars, conversely, were considered less safe, with experts putting the higher accident rate down to the cars being less visible, especially in poor weather or low light.

Phil Webb, Head of Cars at Honda UK, commented: “The third generation Jazz is a car that already gives its owners a feeling of warmth and wellbeing, but colours such as Sunset Orange and Attract Yellow Pearl add more than just character. They’re statistically safer, much more visible on darker days, and they help lift the moods of everyone around them – another part of the Drive Happy culture that defines Jazz’s DNA.“

The colour isn’t the only thing about the Jazz that will brighten your day, either, with prices for the award-winning subcompact hatch starting at just £13,645 on-the-road, or with PCP packages from only £169 a month.

Cap's Black Book states the Honda Jazz and HR-V both retain higher Residual value than their competition.

• Residual values for Honda Jazz and HR-V crossover exceed expectations
• New HR-V holds significantly more value than Nissan Qashqai
• Jazz RVs 12.1% higher than Ford Fiesta
• Similar RV improvements forecast for all-new Civic

Two of Honda’s newest and most popular models – the stylish Jazz city car and acclaimed HR-V crossover – have outperformed all forecasts to achieve market-leading residual value levels, according to the latest figures from RV setters CAP.

The figures from CAP’s ‘Black Book’ show the Honda HR-V Diesel will hold an impressive 77% of its value after twelve months/20,000 miles – up to 15% more than the Nissan Qashqai and even further ahead of other crossover competitors.

And while the Jazz may be compact, its RVs are anything but. CAP’s data shows the model retains an incredible 12% more than the Ford Fiesta.

In addition, the latest generation of the Jazz is performing significantly better than its predecessor, with RVs for year-old models some 16% higher.

The results underline the quality and appeal of both the Jazz and HR-V and are underpinned by Honda’s legendary reputation for reliability.

What’s more, they demonstrate the continual progress that’s been made by the brand in improving residual values across the board.

Phil Webb, Head of Cars at Honda (UK), said: “As a brand Honda has been working very hard in close co-operation with the industry to improve residual values for all our models. Unlike rivals, we do not force registrations through heavily discounted channels and this is paying dividends.

“The RVs being achieved by the Jazz and HR-V equal those of premium brand models and far exceed even our own original forecasts. We now expect to see similarly impressive residual value figures for the all-new 2017 Civic.”

The Honda Jazz and Honda Civic are both winners in the 2016 Woman's Car Of The Year Awards Ceremony.

Honda has scooped two awards at the 2016 Women’s World Car of the Year. The company was the only brand to win twice, with the Honda Jazz and Civic both scooping prizes in their respective segments.

Women’s World Car of the Year is the only car award voted for entirely by women. This year, 17 judges from 14 countries nominated almost 300 cars for recognition. Each of the judges is a professional motoring writer and is considered an expert in the field.

The award was created to reflect the different buying criteria many women have when purchasing a car. Jury members submit their own short list; from this a list of the top five cars in each category are decided.

Judges then vote by awarding points under five criteria - engineering, appearance, comfort, storage and value for money.

Sandy Myhre, Managing Director of Women’s World Car of the Year, congratulated Honda: “From the early lists the judges send in there were some strong contenders in one or two categories but mostly only a few percentage points separate the top three cars in each segment,” she said. “Honda must be congratulated for winning two prizes.”

Honda UK, managing director Philip Crossman said: “We are absolutely thrilled to win not one, but two, awards from the Women’s World Car of the Year judges. The Jazz and Civic have been thoughtfully designed to fit seamlessly into everyday life.

“To know our cars are so highly regarded by women in these categories is a real honour.”

The Paris Motor Show will see the World Unveiling of the Euro Spec Civic and Jazz Spotlight Special Edition.

• Honda unveils the European version of the new Civic Hatchback
• Sedan version also makes European debut
• New Jazz Spotlight Edition showcases new premium look and feel for supermini

Honda will take the next step in its European product offensive at the 2016 Paris Motor Show with the unveil of the new Civic Hatchback.

Global premiere of Civic Hatchback

The Civic Hatchback makes its global motor show debut at Paris, showcasing the mass production exterior and interior design. The car is set to appear in showrooms across Europe from early 2017.

Civic is Honda’s biggest selling nameplate worldwide and the brand has undertaken the most comprehensive research and development programme in its history for this tenth edition.

Honda’s stand will also feature the four door sedan model of Civic. Built at Honda’s production facility in Gebzé, Turkey, the new design includes an improved exterior and interior design. While not on sale in the UK, this car will be available in mainland European markets from early 2017.

Jazz Spotlight Edition

The Jazz Spotlight Edition will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show. The Jazz Spotlight Edition is an evolution of the Honda Jazz Keenlight concept revealed at Geneva earlier this year.

While not available in the UK, the Spotlight Edition is based around a series of design features aimed to appeal to a more fashion conscious customer. Enhanced elements include bronze front grille decoration, door mirror decoration, decals along the flank of the car, unique 15” alloy wheels, tailgate decoration, steering wheel and centre console treatment.

Philip Crossman, managing director at Honda UK, commented: "The unveil of the 10th generation Civic at this year's Paris Motor Show continues the journey we started last year with the complete overhaul of our entire range.  

"Couple that with the fact the introduction of the new Civic heralds a new era for the plant in Swindon, as it will become the global manufacturing hub for the British-built Civic hatchback, and we are in a fantastic position going forward."

Honda is the biggest climber in Car Dealer Power Survey 2016 making it one of the UK's best dealer networks around.

• Honda is the biggest climber in Car Dealer Power Survey 2016
• Survey measures satisfaction levels at dealer network level
• Progress highlights Honda’s commitment to dealer partners and customer experience

Honda (UK) has made major advances in satisfaction levels across its dealer network according to the results of a major new survey.

The brand made the biggest gains in the influential Car Dealer Power Survey 2016, climbing 20 places and establishing itself as one of the industry’s leading manufacturers, particularly when it comes to aftersales, new car supply and finance, which Honda scored especially well on.

Compiled by Car Dealer Magazine, the survey asks dealers to rate the performance of manufacturers across key business areas such as brand awareness, forward planning, finance offerings and return on investment.

The results show Honda retailers are particularly impressed with the brand’s performance across its aftersales operations, giving it an impressive 90 per cent approval rating.

This came just weeks after Hondacare Assistance – the brand’s breakdown and recovery service – was voted the best in the 2016 Which? Breakdown Survey and awarded Which? Recommended Provider status.

Taken together, the two surveys demonstrate the progress being made in Honda’s continued commitment to deliver the very best ownership experience for its customers.

The Car Dealer Power Survey, with its business focus, also underlines the attractiveness of the Honda brand to potential investors keen to join its expanding dealer network.

Rebecca Stead, head of network development at Honda UK, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have made such significant advances in satisfaction levels across our dealer network over the past 12 months and will continue to seek to improve.

Stead added: “As a brand, we place great emphasis on developing the working relationship we have with our dealer partners and to ensuring the processes and financial infrastructure we put in place work for them and their businesses.

“The benefits of this approach will be felt too outside our network as happy and satisfied dealers will project the very best impression of our brand and its strengths and values to our customers and potential customers.”

Hondacare Assistance has been voted the best car maker branded cover in the 2016 Which? Breakdown Survey.

Hondacare Assistance has been voted the best car maker branded cover in the 2016 Which? Breakdown Survey and been awarded Which? Recommended Provider status.

As part of the Which? Car Survey 2016, which collected data from almost 8,600 drivers who had to call out a breakdown service in the past year, Hondacare Assistance scored an impressive 88%, up by 1% from last year’s survey.

Hondacare Assistance took the top spot in both the time taken to arrive on site as well as the ‘repair at roadside’ categories, both of which are key factors when a customer is stuck at the roadside, highlighted by the survey which discovered 78% said response time is the most important factor when choosing a breakdown company.

Provided by the AA, Hondacare Assistance covers the car for three years and is included as part of the manufacturer warranty offering a full range of services such as home, roadside and recovery assistance as well as a messaging service to let a family member know what’s happening.  All Honda owners get European Assistance as part of the standard manufacturer warranty.

Philip Crossman, Managing Director of Honda UK, commented: “Hondacare Assistance has been named the best car maker branded cover for the second year running, which is a tremendous achievement.  In all instances at Honda, the customer is the priority and this recognition by a trusted consumer champion will firmly entrench that ethos in both our existing and new customers to the Honda brand.”

Honda is the fastest growing mainstream car brand in Europe halfway through 2016

• Honda is the fastest growing mainstream car brand in Europe halfway through 2016
• Total sales of 88,242 units to the end of June secures 33.5 per cent growth compared to same period in 2015
• Strong demand driven by refreshed Civic range and the introduction of all-new HR-V and Jazz
• Strong growth rates across main European markets including Italy (+118.9%) , Germany (+50.1%) and Spain (+45.4%).

Following a strong start to 2016, Honda’s European sales have taken a further step up in the second quarter. A full refresh of its car range in 2015 has made it the fastest growing mainstream car brand in Europe.

Honda recorded total sales in EU and EFTA countries of 88,242 units*, an increase of 33.5 per cent compared to 2015. This performance was driven by the reintroduction of the HR-V crossover, delivering 19,485** registrations. Meanwhile, the Jazz supermini saw a 19.9** per cent increase in registrations with particularly strong demand from the Italian market (+132 per cent). The Civic range also saw an increase of 8.3 per cent, supported by the introduction of the new Type R.

All five of the main car markets in Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain) saw sales increase for the Honda brand. Italy continued its strong growth in 2016 with a 118.9 per cent increase**, making it Honda’s third largest European market.

Jean-Marc Streng, General Manager, Automobile Division, Honda Motor Europe, commented, “We’re pleased to see the strong start to 2016 sales transfer into sustained growth in the second quarter. What is even more encouraging is the broad base of Honda’s resurgence, with sales increases in all five major European car markets. We continue to hold a healthy customer order bank and feel confident that this positive trend is set to continue.”

Official sales figures, June YTD (provided by ACEA)
Honda Europe (excl. Russia, Turkey and Ukraine)	88,242	+33.5%
Honda sales by major European market June YTD (Internal Honda registration data)
UK	32,482	+17.4%
Germany	14,716	+50.1%
France	4,632	+39.9%
Italy	5,122	+118.9%
Spain	5,003	+45.4%

Honda (UK) almost took top spot in the 2016 J.D. Power Customer Service Index, having been pipped to the post by just one point.

Honda (UK) almost took top spot in the 2016 J.D. Power Customer Service Index, having been pipped to the post by just one point.

On the survey’s 1,000-point scale that ranks each manufacturer on overall customer satisfaction, Honda scored 775 points, exceeding the ‘volume brand’ average of 744 and the ‘premium brand’ average of 761. What’s more, Honda outgunned the top premium brand, which scored 774.

The J.D. Power 2016 UK Customer Service (CSI) Study is regarded as a leading authority on customer service in the UK car market. This year’s survey was carried out between February and April 2016 taking direct feedback from 8,478 customers who registered new vehicles between February 2013 and April 2015.

The study measures the customer service of franchised dealers for maintenance and repair work, examining five weighted measures (listed in order of importance):

• Service quality
• Service initiation
• Service advisor
• Vehicle pick-up
• Service facility

Philip Crossman, Managing Director of Honda (UK), said: “Our dealers consistently score highly on independent customer satisfaction surveys and it’s great to see this excellence quality once again recognised by J.D. Power and our customers. Dealers are the front line for the Honda brand, they are integral to our business and so consistently scoring highly for customer satisfaction is extremely encouraging.”

The study also summarises key findings that significantly contribute to overall customer satisfaction:

• A greeting on arrival from a service advisor can increase service satisfaction by as much as 48 points on the 1,000 point-scale
• A fast and efficient ‘pick-up’ after maintenance or service work is vital. Overall satisfaction is highest among the 53% of customers who said the process of completing paperwork and being handed their keys took less than five minutes
• Transparency on work carried out against the price paid is highly valued. Overall satisfaction averages 742 among the 81% of customers who received an explanation of the charges after service was completed, compared with 653 among those who did not receive an explanation

Honda (UK) is currently offering a five-year or 62,500-mile 32-point service plan for the fixed price of £695 (petrol models) and £995 (diesels), offering potential savings of £505 and £435 respectively. Undertaken by Honda-trained technicians using genuine Honda parts, this offer is available on cars less than eight months old, with fewer than 8,000 miles on the clock.