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Honda happy to have the Element as top DogCar
By Keith Turner
April 25, 2008
The annual gathering of Western Automotive Journalists and automotive public relations professionals usually stirs up some exciting news about what’s on the horizon for four-wheel enthusiasts.
And this year’s just completed conclave in Monterrey, California, also brought some interesting insight for lovers of our four-legged friends when Honda’s West Coast PR guru Chris Martin confirmed that the Japanese manufacturer was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Honda Element was named as the first-ever DogCar of the Year “Best in Show” last December.
The wonderfully versatile Honda Element features a squarish cargo space, fold-flat seats and easy-to-clean interior that all add up to the perfect combination for owners of multiple big dogs who take their canine traveling very seriously.
After the award was announced, Honda’s marketing department sprung into action by creating an advertising campaign geared specifically for the dog-loving car buyer. They’ve even included the DogCars.com logo on their Element website to power home the point.
During a lunch break in the Carmel Valley, Martin said the powers that be are happy to be a top pick among dog lovers, and that they are always looking for ways to respond to specific markets.
“Automakers are always targeting niche markets, like young buyers, sports lovers or even surfers or skiers, where there’s a huge demand for a very specific vehicle,” Martin said.
One wonders if perhaps Honda is considering a U.S. launch of the “Wow”, short for “Wonderful Open-Hearted Wagon” (pictured above), concept car that was introduced at the 2005 Tokyo Auto Show. Martin said that while the Japanese loved the little car with a small dog crate built into the glove box, the concept never got off the drawing board for U.S. distribution.
Stay tuned . . .
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I’m interested. I haven’t had the chance to test drive the Honda Element, but I’m very interested in the Element. That would be great if Honda added another dog friendly car to the lineup. Although neither of my dogs would fit in the dog glove box and I’m not too sure how much leg space the passenger would have.
Stetson (Guide Dog in Training)
Linus (Aussie Mix)
Colby (The Human)
Comment by Stetson, Linus, and Colby — April 25, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
I am in car search mode even as we speak and I keep wishing the Honda Civic came in a wagon. For me, the Fit is too small and the Element is too big and heavy… Now I’m thinking I should put off buying until more is revealed from Honda! I would love to stay with this make because of all the (many) cars I’ve driven, my Civic has been the most reliable over the long term. Unfortunately it doesn’t come close to a Dodge Caravan, Jeep Cherokee, or Ford Explorer (my past dog cars) for dog-friendliness…
Honda, if you’re out there, please make a station wagon with just a skosh more depth in the back than the Toyota Matrix… :-)
Comment by Debbie Knowles — April 27, 2008 @ 7:20 am
I’m sorry but I’m not in love. I got talked into it against my better judgement and its a good fit in a way because I’m a slob and I don’t have to worry about messing it up and it worked well in the snow. I’ve got 10,000 miles on mine (bought in october) and the seats just aren’t comfortable driving 50 miles each way each day. Plus the car is too damn low for riding around fields at dog shows-scraped the bottom the first week I had it riding over a stump I didn’t/couldn’t see at a show. Plus the ventilation is not all that without opening the doors-you can’t leave the dogs in and just rolled down the back window-you have to open the whole back hatch and it would be very easy for a dog to jump out in that scenario. The back windows barely pop open and I’m forever getting in the car, driving off and realizing they’re open and then wishing like crazy I had gotten something with automatic back windows. Oh, and I rear ended a Tahoe and the whole thing caved in ($5,000 worth of damage) although the Tahoe was barely scratched.
Comment by Cece Spitznas — May 9, 2008 @ 11:23 am
My two English Springer Spaniels and I are enjoying our second Element. We had a 2003 and traded it on a 2008. The first 2003 had ZERO probelms in five years of ownership and the new one is on the same pace. I’m 6’7” tall and the Springers are more like ‘Jerry Springer Spaniels’—-very active. We traveled from Atlanta to NYC and the trip was comfortable for all of us. The Element has one of the best crash ratings, the inside is very easy to clean, the stereo is killer and the cargo capacity is great. Besides, you can get the all wheel drive, automatic model for under $23,000! What’s not to like?!?!?!
Comment by Tom — May 11, 2008 @ 8:29 am
thanks for this info…although you will see gidget featured in the new Sex and The City riding shootgun with Kim Cattrall , I’ll use this opportunity to speak out about the importance of keeping your dog safe in cars
gidget’s person Mary
gidgetgormley.com
Comment by gidget gormley — May 18, 2008 @ 6:22 pm
Love Hondas, can’t buy ‘em. I have two midsize (dogs) and one compact (also a dog), but had to have at least a Subaru (good jumpability for older dogs, good space,safety, etc).
Get on the wagon, Honda, and realize that so many of us have multiple dogs and cats and want safety, space, headroom, etc. for our well loved pets, while we’re carting our “stuff” as well.
Look at the numbers, look at the pet catalogs, watch tv and movies. Our pets have become family members that you are simply not considering, safety and otherwise. I walk my dogs in a dogpark a few miles away (lots of us do because we can let them run free) so my first consideration is how comfortably safe we all can travel, how inexpensively (gas,reliability, repairs, etc.) and, admittedly, how cool the car is.
There’s a need (an audience if you will) out here waiting. Where are the ears, talent and guts?
Comment by Nora MacNamara — September 24, 2008 @ 8:47 pm
I will heavely consider how dog friendly a vehicle is when I make my next purchase. I appreciate you keepping up on this subject.
Thank you,
Harry
Comment by Harry — September 29, 2008 @ 2:22 am