Selling Strategies - Honda Information Center
Selling Strategies

Test-Drive Route Planner

Create the ultimate test drive. Identify where on your route you can highlight performance features like acceleration, handling, cornering and braking.

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Features to Demonstrate:

1. Responsive Acceleration

Demonstrate the responsive acceleration with an aggressive launch from a standing stop. Notice the engine’s strong torque and free-revving smoothness. Point out the seamless transmission operation; in manual transmission models, highlight the precise, intuitive shift action — perfect for aggressive driving.


2. Integrated Dynamics System (IDS)

IDS allows you to change drive characteristics with a convenient twist of the dial. On models with IDS, demonstrate all the different modes and discuss the performance benefits during your test drive. Demonstrate the difference between each mode under various conditions on your test drive.


3. Handling

 

On models with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™, explain how the system provides superior handling in all weather conditions, using torque vectoring for neutral, accurate steering under power that is unmatched by front-wheel, rear-wheel, and conventional all-wheel-drive systems. If possible, demonstrate this feature on a curved road or highway ramp.


4. Ride Comfort

 

Amplitude-Reactive Dampers dynamically adjust to suit road conditions. It’s like having two shock absorber systems: one is optimized to cope with normal vibration and minor road irregularities; the other is tuned for rougher conditions and helps ensure stable, flat cornering at high speeds. On models with Adaptive Dampers, the driver can call up different damping profiles as needed. These profiles include matching throttle response, gearshift behavior, and power steering boost using the IDS.

Explain that the suspension system automatically adjusts between a comfortable ride on smooth pavement and a firmer ride on rougher roads or when enhanced handling is needed.

Demonstrate this feature on an open highway or a curved road.


5. Interior Quietness

 

Active Sound Control (ASC) has two components:

  • Noise-canceling technology reduces engine noise and low-frequency sound in the cabin by creating a reverse-phase sound signal through the audio system’s speakers.
  • Audio enhancement of the engine’s exhaust note, which plays through the audio system’s speakers during hard acceleration.
ASC remains active even when the audio system is off. Demonstrate this feature on a section of road where you can cruise at around 30 mph, then accelerate hard for a few moments before dropping back to about 30 mph. Start in Sport mode, then switch to Comfort mode to demonstrate the comparison.

 


6. Driver Assistance and Safety Features

 

The AcuraWatch™ suite of safety and driver assistance features comes standard on all Acura sedans and SUVs. Note that some competitors charge extra for these features. Describe the components of AcuraWatch, and demonstrate features like Adaptive Cruise Control and the Lane Keeping Assist System on open highways as conditions permit.



Test-Drive Route Planner

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