ROGER DUBUIS LAUNCHES EXCALIBUR LADY FOR ELEGANT WOMEN

Sometimes, audacity, spirit and talent will open doors that are reputed impenetrable.  In barely fifteen years, Manufacture ROGER DUBUIS has entered the world of Fine Watchmaking and won the recognition of its peers.  Now the company embarks on another chapter in its history and enters a new era.  An era of greater mechanical maturity with the development of innovative movements that exactly meet the requirements of the most demanding connoisseurs; an era of aesthetic maturity with the launch of a new collection with an assertive design.  This is also an era of industrial maturity with the implementation of manufacturing procedures that marry the latest technology with the precise demands of the Poinçon de Genève.  Tighter collections, products that target collectors and connoisseurs, entirely new global communications and worldwide selective distribution all contribute to the exceptional vitality of this daring brand.

ROGER DUBUIS is more than a Manufacture, more than a brand:  it is its own world.  An exciting, animated world.  A world where creativity reigns supreme, where originality is king and the pursuit of excellence is truly a driving force.  A brand that is intentionally extravagant, elegant and worthy of the best in Fine Watchmaking.  New worlds will open up fabulous horizons and nurture the history of a young brand that loves to innovate as much as it respects the classic idiom of Fine Watchmaking.  This is what makes ROGER DUBUIS unique.

Making its debut in 2011 is the Excalibur Lady line with a model in several versions, for women only.  This elegant and seductive watch catches the eye with distinctive dials, in pure ROGER DUBUIS style, and incorporates mechanical movements which have been developed by the Manufacture, each hallmarked with the prestigious Poinçon de Genève.

Combining force with subtle sophistication, these 36mm diameter models are proposed in steel, white gold or rose gold, with or without diamonds.

In addition to the characteristic indented bezel and triple lugs of the Excalibur collection, this new lady's version adopts an elegant dial, circled with stunningly tapered Roman numerals.  Stretched to infinity, and an integral part of the brand's DNA, these Roman numerals are magnificently set against the satin sunburst dial.  The rose gold case, which is water-resistant to 3 bar (30 metres), is framed by a bezel paved with 48 diamonds (1.44 carats).

The power of seduction of the Excalibur Lady watch goes beyond its beauty.  Its RD821 self-winding mechanical movement meets the exacting criteria of Fine Watchmaking.  Hallmarked with the prestigious Poinçon de Genève, it has also been awarded COSC chronometer certification by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres.  A twofold guarantee of craftsmanship and precision that distinguishes only a rare few mechanical movements.  Calibre RD821 proposes hour and minute functions with small seconds at 6 o'clock.

This rose gold Excalibur Lady watch is presented on a grey satin fabric strap with a rose gold adjustable folding buckle.

Dubai Internet City Registers Year-on-Year Growth in 2010 with 150 Companies Setting up Base at ICT Cluster

Telecom, Networking, Software, Internet and Multimedia Key Providers to Growth

Dubai-UAE: 30 January, 2011 – Dubai Internet City, part of TECOM Investments, today announced it has registered year-on-year growth in 2010 with 150 companies setting up base at the ICT cluster.

In 2010, DIC also saw 48 of its business partners expanding their commercial operations and businesses in the region.

The growth witnessed by the ICT cluster is poised to increase further in 2011 with enterprise IT spending in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) forecast to reach US$795.2 billion , a 1.3 percent increase from 2010, according to Gartner.

Malek Al Malek, Managing Director at Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone, said: “The year 2010 proved positive for us on the back of an industry uptrend and saw many businesses emerging as winners. Additional investments in potential growth areas and operational expansion beyond the region were also witnessed. For DIC, this translates into more companies opening direct offices at the ICT park with most of the leading brands driving the region’s positive trend.

“The favourable year-on-year trend for the ICT cluster reflects the development in the region that continues to attract a large community of ICT professionals and specialists. We believe the new investments and influx of top level executives will continue in 2011 with multinational organisations across the globe regarding this region as the next growth area.”

Key sectors that saw new additions at Dubai Internet City in 2010 include telecommunications and networking, as well as software, Internet and multimedia. Cable and Wireless Europe, ADP Dealer Services Gulf, Pitney Bowes Software, China Communication Service, and Versata are among the top global brands that chose to base their operations at the ICT business park.

A significant number of companies from firststeps@DIC, a unique facility that allows businesses to lease short-term office space while exploring market opportunities, also expanded their presence into full-fledged operations. Currently, more than 25,000 ICT professionals are employed within DIC as part of technical teams and support staff.

Innovation, entrepreneurship and the evolving SME segment in the country were the other major focus areas for the ICT cluster in 2010. Supported by DIC, events such as DemoCamp Dubai with the first series of 2011 due in April, ArabNet Forum, TIE (The Indus Entrepreneurs), and SME Advisor Awards 2010 spotlighted the three areas in the country and the region at large.

Malek said: “Technology is key driver of growth and contributes significantly to the economy of the country, reflecting the entire region’s position as a fertile ground for small businesses. Though big businesses are the mainstay of the economy, smaller, nimbler organisations continue to expand their role as major growth enablers.

“As the region’s key technology cluster, Dubai Internet City remains integral to facilitating the growth of SMEs by creating and offering the necessary infrastructure and technical capabilities to grow from a grassroots level.”

At the forefront of the region's ICT industry, Dubai Internet City remains committed to supporting emerging technology trends in the region and continues to play an instrumental role in developing the industry while contributing to Dubai's drive towards creating a knowledge-based economy.

About Dubai Internet City

Dubai Internet City (DIC), a member of TECOM Investments, was established in 2000. It is currently regarded the Middle East's largest information and communications technology (ICT) cluster. Built as a strategic base for companies targeting emerging markets in several neighbouring regions, DIC’s core focus area extends from the Middle East to the Indian Subcontinent, and from Africa to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), covering nearly three billion people with a GDP of over US$10 trillion. As a knowledge-oriented business model, DIC has created a dynamic international community of IT companies hosting business partners that include most of the Fortune 500 brands, as well as a number of small and medium enterprises and ventures. In 2009, 135 new companies joined the DIC cluster. For more information, please visit: www.dubaiinternetcity.com

Bank of America Merrill Lynch joins NASDAQ Dubai’s equity derivatives market

Market’s first derivatives General Clearing Member will provide vital post trade clearing services promoting further growth.

Dubai, 30 January 2011 – Bank of America Merrill Lynch has joined NASDAQ Dubai’s equity derivatives market as its first General Clearing Member (GCM).  This enables Bank of America Merrill Lynch to clear the trades of other brokers as well as its own, injecting liquidity into the fledgling market.    

Brooks Stevens, Head of EMEA Futures and Derivatives Clearing Services for Bank of America Merrill Lynch, said: “As the first GCM on the UAE’s only on-exchange equity derivatives market, we look forward to playing a leading role in facilitating increased trading capacity within the region. NASDAQ Dubai’s equity derivatives platform provides investors with unique tools to hedge their exposure to shares of the UAE and other Middle East companies.”

NASDAQ Dubai’s equity derivatives platform consists of futures listed on 21 individual UAE companies and on the FTSE NASDAQ Dubai UAE 20 share index. Companies in the index include DP World, which is listed on NASDAQ Dubai, and leading companies listed on the Dubai Financial Market and the Abu Dhabi Securities Market.

Index constituents are selected for high market capitalisation and liquidity as well as openness to foreign investment.

Dean Noble Head of Business Development of NASDAQ Dubai, said: “Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s arrival as a GCM is a landmark in the development of our equity derivatives platform. The market has huge potential for growth in a region where hedging mechanisms are in short supply and investors need to offset risk.”

“A vibrant equity derivatives market can also stimulate trading volumes in the underlying equities themselves, in times of falling as well as rising prices.”   

NASDAQ Dubai’s equity derivatives market won the Futures & Options World (FOW) 2009 Award for ‘Best Innovation by an Exchange in Product Design, Middle East.’

About NASDAQ Dubai:

NASDAQ Dubai is the international financial exchange serving the region between Western Europe and East Asia. It welcomes regional as well as global issuers that seek regional and international investment. The exchange currently lists equities, equity derivatives, exchange-traded commodities, structured products, Sukuk (Islamic bonds) and conventional bonds.

The majority shareholder of NASDAQ Dubai is Dubai Financial Market (DFM) with a two-thirds stake. Borse Dubai owns one third of the shares. The regulator of NASDAQ Dubai is the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). NASDAQ Dubai is located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

www.nasdaqdubai.com

About Bank of America Merrill Lynch:

Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 57 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 5,900 retail banking offices and approximately 18,000 ATMs and award-winning online banking with 29 million active users. Bank of America is among the world's leading wealth management companies and is a global leader in corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations in more than 40 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch is the marketing name for the global banking and global markets businesses of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., member FDIC. Securities, strategic advisory, and other investment banking activities are performed globally by investment banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation ("Investment Banking Affiliates"), including, in the United States, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, which is a registered broker-dealer and a member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, locally registered entities. Investment products offered by Investment Banking Affiliates: Are Not FDIC Insured * May Lose Value * Are Not Bank Guaranteed.

www.baml.com

Rising Mounds of Electronic Waste in GCC ‘Highly Perilous’, Highlights ENPARK Seminar

In the GCC, E-Waste likely to grow at three times the rate of general waste

Dubai-UAE: 30 January, 2011 – Discarded electronics – many of which use toxic materials such as cadmium, lead, mercury and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) – form an alarmingly large and growing segment of household waste that the GCC churns out annually, according to experts at the ‘Green Brunch’ hosted by the Energy and Environment Park (ENPARK), a member of TECOM Investments’ Sciences Cluster.

Held in Dubai, speakers at the ‘Solid Waste Recycling and Management’ seminar noted that the GCC ranks among the fastest growing markets for electronic goods in the world, where older but functioning versions of products are quickly replaced with the ‘latest’ ones. Such trends directly feed the growing flow of e-waste which ends up in the region’s landfills. The problem is further compounded by a general absence of municipal infrastructure to deal with the recycling electronic waste and a low level of public awareness when it comes to its manifold hazards.

Ahmed Lootah, Senior Business Development Manager, ENPARK, said: “Thought is rarely given to the real environmental and health risks posed by e-waste. Discarded electronic gadgets should ideally never reach our landfills, but they do – and that is where they often leak their lethal contents into the surroundings. This heightens the risk of these elements returning to us through our food and water, in a particularly dangerous way.

“The Green Brunch series has successfully drawn our attention to some of the environmental hazards that need our urgent attention. This seminar on Solid Waste Management will serve a crucial purpose in highlighting an area of concern that is normally overlooked and not offered much priority.”

Electronics such as servers, computers, scanners, printers and cameras contain dangerous substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium and polybrominated niphenyls (PBBs). The latter can have adverse effects on health if released in the environment.  Health risks may vary from irreversible damage to the brain and the kidneys to certain cancers, and to digestive and respiratory disorders.

Lootah added: “The decreasing prices of electronic equipment resulting in their greater affordability, combined with growing penetration of technology, has meant that increasing quantities of equipment are being used by us. Given the continuously shrinking life-span of electronic devices, the challenge of e-waste can be easily anticipated.”

Consumer trends in Western countries indicate that the amount of e-waste is likely to grow at three times the rate of other public waste. Although it accounts for only one to four per cent of municipal waste, e-waste may be responsible for as much as 70 per cent of the heavy metals in landfills, including 40 per cent of all lead.

“While corporates in the UAE are generally diligent about the appropriate disposal of waste, the huge challenge resides within the household domains that need to give importance to the proper segregation and disposal of e-waste. For this to happen, the municipalities need to introduce a workable infrastructure which educates and engages the public to mitigate the problem,” said KR Ajay Kumar, Senior Manager (Operations) at DULSCO, a Dubai-based organisation that specializes in waste management services.

Stuart Fleming, CEO of Enviroserve, a company specialising in environmental products, services and consultancy to aid best practices and savings in the region, said: “In some instances, landfills in the GCC are dangerously close to the shoreline, where marshlands and marine life are vulnerable to any seepage of e-waste toxins. In the UAE, water tables are not found at depths, which make them all the more susceptible to toxic elements that escape the landfills and permeate into the ground.”

As part of the Green Brunch series, ENPARK organised educational seminars on ‘Energy Efficiency’, ‘Green Retrofitting’ and ‘Water and Wastewater Management’ in 2010.

All seminars featured presentations and open debates to help raise awareness of new energy and environment-related technologies as well as solutions available in the regional market. The events drew enthusiastic participation from the local building industry, business communities and government.

About ENPARK

ENPARK, the Energy and Environment Park, a member of TECOM Investments, is a Free Zone spanning over 8 million square feet of office, research centre, residential, educational and leisure facilities located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. ENPARK is a special destination for clean energy and environmental technology companies to operate and a fully-integrated knowledge community that includes programs, services, partnerships and amenities to support the success of environment companies and their employees. Combing the unique assets of being at the heart of the international hub for the Region with the exclusive experience of a sustainable community, ENPARK’s ambition is to offer a world class sustainable lifestyle and build a sustainable culture. For more information, please visit: www.enpark.ae

TECOM Investments Media Cluster Launches ‘Thought Incubator’ Workshop Series

Inaugural Session to Focus on ‘Marketing to Online Communities’

Dubai-UAE: 30 January, 2011 – The Thought Incubator series launched to provide industry-specific information and innovative concepts to stakeholders will open with a workshop on ‘Marketing to Online Communities’, TECOM Investments Media Cluster announced today.

The workshop will be held on 31 January and focus on harnessing the power of online forums as a powerful marketing tool that companies are yet to utilise to their complete advantage. The session will also aim to leverage the synergy between social media and online communities to advance marketing objectives.

The Thought Incubator series will feature monthly workshops, addressing issues from social media, online/digital media and public relations to advertising and marketing, media content and industry initiatives.

Mohammad Abdullah, Managing Director of TECOM Investments’ Media Cluster, said: “The Thought Incubator initiative will be an important platform for the media and marketing community to gain insight into trends, best practices and the tools driving the industry.

“It is also a unique opportunity for all media professionals within the Media Cluster community as well as external stakeholders to meet and network with peers and leading experts and take the best decisions that are critical to the success of their organisation.”

The first session on ‘Marketing to Online Communities’ will be conducted by Magnus Nystedt, Group Editor Consumer Technology at CPI Dubai, responsible for GameWorld, Macworld and PCWorld Middle East editions. With a background in teaching and technology journalism, as well as a unique combination of skills and interest make him a trustworthy source for audiences around the region.

Nystedt said: “"As a publishing company based in TECOM Investments Media Cluster, we at CPI think it is important to participate in similar community activities. We are ready to share our experience with others in the hope of helping and giving ideas. Personally, I believe this is just the beginning of a productive series of workshops, presentations and other activities that will have the power to educate and inspire."

The workshop comes at a time when the conversation in any market and for any business is increasingly being dominated by online platforms and largely taking place through the different types of social networking tools and services.

A thriving media community of over 1,800 companies/business partners at Dubai Media City plays a crucial role in contributing to the online and digital platforms that make up the TECOM Investments’ Media Cluster that also comprises Dubai Studio City and the International Media Production Zone. The cluster provides a complete value chain of specialized offerings that have created an established community hub for the media and content creation industries in the region.

About Dubai Media City

Strategically located at the crossroads of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, Dubai Media City, a member of TECOM Investments, is rapidly emerging as the region's media hub.  The City provides an advanced infrastructure for media-related businesses to operate globally out of Dubai.  Dubai Media City is the place where activities Publishing, Music, Film, New Media, Leisure & Entertainment, Broadcasting, Media & Marketing Services, and Information Agencies will thrive. The facility offers an environment that allows companies and individuals to operate with collective synergy and freedom.

Companies based in Dubai Media City have the unique edge of commercial benefits derived from our free zone status including 100 % business ownership and exemption from personal income and corporate taxes. Since its official opening in January 2001, Dubai Media City has grown to become a thriving media community of over 1400 companies and hundreds of freelance media professionals. Several global media giants and promising entrepreneurial ventures have joined this unique community.  

About Dubai Studio City

Launched in Feb, 2005, Dubai Studio City (DSC), a member of TECOM Investments, offers a complete technical and community infrastructure catering to the film, TV, radio production and broadcast industries. Being built on an area of more than 20 million square feet . DSC aims to attract production and broadcast companies, as well as a wide range of support services, including providers for animation, dubbing, makeup, costume design, set design and construction, casting, telnet agencies, telecine, and laboratory facilities. DSC will feature pre-built studios, sound stages, workshops, backlots and stage areas, post-production studios, and satellite communication services. The cluster will also house film & television academies, commercial offices, entertainment & retail spaces, and hotels & residential facilities to accommodate crews and cast. DSC’s Location Approval Services (LAS) provides a single window for applying for shooting permits.

About International Media Production Zone

Dubai's International Media Production Zone (IMPZ), a member of TECOM Investments, seeks to create a unique cluster environment for media production companies from across the industry value chain, and from across the world, to interact and collaborate effectively. IMPZ will be exclusively catering to the graphic arts, printing, publishing and packaging activities. As a master developer, IMPZ will provide an environment of growth by building key facilities, investing in infrastructure, and forming a unique free zone that incorporates industrial, commercial, residential and community service projects under its mantle. The vast complex will be housed on a territory of over 43 million square feet of land, in the heart of commercial Dubai.

The IMPZ initiative is part of Dubai's vision to develop itself into a global media hub. It will provide a pro-business environment, sophisticated technology and community infrastructure to support and foster the growth of media production. www.impz.ae

 

Dubai Investments Reports AED805 million Net Profit for Year Ended December 2010

Dubai-UAE: 30 January, 2011 – Dubai Investments PJSC (“DI”), an investment company with diversified interests in high growth segments, today announced its preliminary unaudited financial results for the year ended December 2010, with a net profit of AED805 million.

Revenues for the year were AED3.3 billion while total assets increased to AED14.1 billion. At the same time, shareholders equity rose to AED8.5 billion with earnings per share (EPS) at AED0.23.

Khalid Kalban, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Investments PJSC, said: “We have seen growth in the industrial and manufacturing sector in line with the moderate recovery underway in the economy. The real estate and contracting activities saw a decline in the current year and our exposure in the local equities was affected by market sentiment.

“The Company has been able to consistently deliver good results even in this challenging environment as we adapted well to the changing circumstances by looking beyond our traditional markets.”    

“We believe 2011 will prove more rewarding as momentum for growth consolidates further across the globe. At the same time, we will continue to work towards optimising returns and reducing costs as we explore fresh growth potentials within our group and across various geographies,” Kalban added.

Honda launches all new 2011 Odyssey for GCC markets

27 January 2011 - Dubai, UAE –

Honda Motor Co. (Middle East Office) announced the launch of all new Honda Odyssey in GCC markets.

The completely redesigned 2011 Honda Odyssey improves on its award-winning¹, class-leading design with a more distinctive style, higher fuel economy and greater interior versatility. Improvements to the fourth-generation Odyssey represent a new Honda vision for the "ultimate in family transportation."

The 2011 Odyssey's enhanced aerodynamic shape with a lower roofline contributes to class-leading highway fuel economy, while the improved interior packaging maintains similar functionality as the previous model. A wider stance creates a more accommodating interior while accenting the exterior's dynamic appearance. Significant improvements for convenience include a new "3-mode" second-row seat design along with a simpler-to-operate, 3rd-row Magic Seat®. The third row provides improved legroom, along with better visibility from the side windows - a functional improvement resulting from the exterior's signature "lightning-bolt" belt line.

Exterior Styling

The 2011 Odyssey dramatically departs from conventional MPV styling with its low and wide stance. Compared to the previous generation, the 2011 Odyssey's slightly lower roofline and wider stance contributes to a sleeker, stronger and more dynamic presence with improved aerodynamics. The “lightning-bolt” belt line further emphasizes the 2011 Odyssey's sporty appearance while enhancing outward visibility for third-row passengers. Aggressive body-to-wheel proportions reduce the perception of vertical height common to most MPV designs. Fender flares further accent the vehicle's secure and stylish persona. The availability of projector beam HID headlights and form-fit fog lights further contributes to a sophisticated and upscale appearance on applicable models.

Interior Styling

The interior of the 2011 Odyssey embraces a "cool and intuitive" theme consistent with its increased levels of technology and family versatility. The dashboard's simple and clean lines accent the depth of the cabin for an open and spacious feeling.

 The Odyssey exemplifies quality from its ergonomically friendly controls and sensible human factors, such as the positioning of grab handles, bins and pockets; intuitive switches and controls.

Interior Versatility and Functionality

To fulfill its mission as the ultimate family vehicle, the 2011 Odyssey interior focuses on providing three rows of comfortable, adult-friendly seating together with a large interior volume and plentiful storage capabilities. Multiple seating configurations can accommodate between one and eight adult passengers simply by adding, folding or removing the modular seats.

Improved body rigidity for 2011 Odyssey has resulted in a quieter cabin at highway cruising speeds with less background noise, which helps make conversations inside the cabin more audible.

Numerous storage pockets and cup holders are included for every passenger. A convenient flip-up trash bag ring extends from behind the center console and can secure a small disposable bag to help keep the inside of the vehicle clean.

The Odyssey's seating, instruments and controls are designed around the driver. For driver comfort, the driver's seat features 10-way power adjustable seating (8-way power adjustable on Odyssey LX). Meters, gauges and displays are easy to locate and read, and the controls for audio system, navigation system and climate control system are within reach and feature large buttons and knobs.

The “3-mode” design feature of the second row seat provides the ability to expand the distance between the seats by up to 40 mm each to increase comfort and enhance third-row access when child seats are being used in the second row. The second-row middle seat has the ability to move forward, which brings child seats within a more convenient reach of the first row. The third mode can transform the middle seat into a large, comfortable armrest with cup holders and a center tray for electronic devices.

The 2011 Odyssey's 60/40 split 3rd-row Magic Seat provides a comfortable seating area and can quickly and conveniently folds down into the floor to accommodate cargo.

New Technology Highlights

Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™

Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System is available on the Odyssey Touring grade. The system features an 8-inch, high-resolution VGA color display and uses GPS technology to provide turn-by-turn guidance to a destination. The 2011 Odyssey navigation system provides voice guidance both in Arabic & English languages and has a wide variety of features and functionality like 60GB hard drive, and the option to import a favorite photograph to use as "wallpaper."

DVD Rear Entertainment System with 16.2-inch Ultra-Wide Display

A state-of-the-art, factory-fitted Rear Entertainment System (RES) with an ultra-wide display is standard on the Odyssey Touring grade. The RES can simultaneously display two different sources of programming side-by-side, such as a video game and a movie. The two programs being played can be easily switched from side to side, so the viewers don't have to change seats. The wireless headphones supplied with this system can be tuned to either input source as desired. The system includes a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port for attaching high definition players and certain gaming consoles.

"intelligent" Multi-Information Display (i-MID)

The Odyssey EX-L model has an 8-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen with customizable features. Called the i-MID, this screen provides the driver with a variety of information. It can keep the driver updated about such items as the audio system, Bluetooth® Hands Free Telephone information, general vehicle information and the rearview camera image. Personalized wallpaper using a JPEG-format photo can be added via the USB Audio Interface.

Audio System

The Odyssey Touring grade comes equipped with a state-of-the-art 15GB memory Hard Disc Drive (HDD) audio system that can digitally store approx. 175 CDs. And the EX-L grade comes equipped with 2GB flash memory that can digitally store approx. 18 CDs, thus eliminating the need for a 6-CD changer.

Safety

An extensive list of safety equipment comes standard on every Odyssey. The Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure is a Honda-exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. Additional standard safety equipment includes Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist; three-row side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor; driver's and front passenger's side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); dual-stage, multiple- threshold front airbags; and active front seat head restraints. Also, a pedestrian injury mitigation design in the front of the vehicle is intended to help absorb energy in the event of a collision.

Powertrain

Powering the Odyssey is a robust, yet efficient 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM). To conserve fuel when power requirements are low, the VCM technology can allow the engine to operate using only three or four of its six cylinders as conditions permit. A six-speed automatic transmission, standard on the Odyssey Touring, helps it achieve a best-in-class city/highway fuel-economy. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard on the Odyssey LX and EX-L.

Chassis & Body

A long 3,000 mm wheelbase, wide track dimensions, advanced suspension design and features such as VSA with traction control contribute to the Odyssey's excellent overall handling. The Odyssey's hydraulic power-steering automatically increase the power assist at slow speeds, like while parking, and it also automatically reduces the power assist, like while on highway, so that the driver has more feedback.

Standard on the Odyssey LX and EX-L are 17-inch wheels, while 18-inch wheels are standard on the Odyssey Touring. The tires on all models feature low-rolling resistance construction to aid in maximizing fuel economy.

The 2011 Odyssey is extensively redesigned to become more lightweight and rigid allowing for the vehicle's high levels of safety, increased fuel economy, refined handling and a comfortable ride. Aerodynamically, the Odyssey is more efficient with a 5.5-percent reduction in Cd (aerodynamic drag) compared to the previous model.

Colors

The 2011 Odyssey is available in 7 exterior colors:

l  Tafetta White.

l  Alabaster Silver Metallic.

l  Smoky Topaz Metallic.

l  Crystal Black Pearl.

l  Celestial Blue Metallic.

l  Mocha Metallic.

¹Awards

Automobile Magazine 2011: One of the winner of “All Star” awards

Edmunds.com 2010: "Top Recommended" minivan award

U.S. News and World Report 2010: "Best Minivan for the Money"

Automotive Lease Guide 2010: "Best Minivan for the Money"

Kelley Blue Book: One of the ten "Best New Family Vehicles of 2009"

Kelley Blue Book: "2009 Best Resale Value Award" in the van category