Earnhardt Honda, local dealers donate vehicle to children’s hospital

Earnhardt Honda and other Valley Honda dealers were proud to deliver a Shogo electric ride-on vehicle, created and donated specifically for young patients, to Phoenix Children’s Hospital in November. 

Honda engineers designed Shogo to help ease the stress and anxiety of children and their families by transporting children during their stay at the hospital, according to the Honda website. This initiative, called “Project Courage,” demonstrates the difference that play and laughter can make for hospitalized children.

Developed with young patient safety in mind, these Shogo vehicles were built without doors to be easily accessible for children. The car also sports central seating with steering controls accessible for children and soft-to-the-touch surfaces that are easily kept clean. Shogo also included an IV pole holder and a push bar so caregivers can manually push the vehicle when needed.

Other features designed for child comfort include a toy bucket in front of the vehicle, cup holders, a center horn with different sound options, and a customizable license plate slot to display each rider’s name.

Based on a Japanese word meaning “soaring into the future,” the Shogo models were designed for young patients who can easily operate power controls, manage the car’s go/stop mechanism and ride at a speed of 1-5 miles per hour, as controlled by a nurse or caregiver.

Phoenix Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s fastest-growing pediatric healthcare systems, with hospitals, urgent care facilities and clinics around the state. 

Earnhardt Honda is located in Avondale and is one of 17 locations of Earnhardt Auto Centers. Founder Tex Earnhardt started the company in 1951 with a Chandler-based Ford franchise. Over the years, the company expanded and opened more dealerships, with Tex at the head. Tex’s straight-shooting style and famous catchphrase, “That ain’t no bull,” endeared him to generations of Arizonans.

Earnhardt Auto Centers is a true community business, and all locations regularly support local charities. Thank you, Earnhardt Honda and Earnhardt Auto Centers, for your generosity to the community!