Honda Hybrid - The Bottom Line

December 5, 2004 – Vol.9 No.37

HONDA HYBRID - THE BOTTOM LINE.

Leather trimmed interior, dual zone automatic climate control, 8-way power driver’s seat, XM(R) Satellite Radio and in-dash 6-disc CD changer, anti-lock brakes, and traction control: This doesn’t sound like a car that gets the fuel economy of an econobox.

With 29 city and 37 highway Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy ratings the new 255-horsepower Honda Accord Hybrid is now on sale in the U.S., albeit at a substantial base price of $29,990 with a 5-speed automatic or $31,990 with the voice activated satellite navigation system.

Despite its price tag Honda plans success with the Accord Hybrid and expects sales of all its hybrids - Insight, Civic, Accord - to double in 2005 to a total of 45,000 units. (As of the end of November 2004 the company had sold 24,048 gas-electric cars this year.

This commitment to fuel-efficiency (and low emissions) has earned Honda the title of 2004 Greenest Automaker from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).

UCS gave Honda its award based on data on smog-forming pollution and heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions from the car-maker’s fleets, using 2003 sales information and certification standards. Compared with the prior year Honda increased its lead over other makers in reducing tailpipe and greenhouse gas emissions, thus the award.

Honda began tackling vehicle emissions with innovative technologies in the early 1970’s. Visit Honda at http://www.hondanews.com/ and the Union of Concerned Scientists at http://www.ucsusa.org/