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Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that Honda’s cumulative worldwide hybrid vehicle sales surpassed 800,000 units as of the end of December 2011. This milestone was reached 12 years and two months after the start of sales of the first generation Honda Insight in Japan in November 1999.

Honda introduced the first-generation Insight, Civic Hybrid and Accord Hybrid equipped with Honda’s original lightweight and compact Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. More recently, following the introduction of the second-generation Insight in 2009, Honda has introduced a total of six new hybrid models in the last three years to expand the hybrid vehicle lineup and sales. Honda’s annual worldwide hybrid sales for 2011 was approximately 200,000 units (up 30 percent compared to 2010), and Honda’s total hybrid sales during the last three years exceeded 500,000 units. In Japan, the ratio of hybrid vehicles exceeded 45 percent of all new Honda vehicle registrations for the month of December 2011. Cumulative hybrid sales in North America reached 338,872 units as of December 2011.

As of today, Honda sells seven hybrid models in approximately 50 countries around the world. In addition, the market introduction of the ILX, the first Acura brand model equipped with a hybrid system, is scheduled for spring 2012 in North America.

Under the global environmental slogan of “Blue Skies for Our Children,” Honda will continue its efforts to realize the further market penetration of hybrid vehicles to create a low carbon society.

History of Honda’s Hybrid Models

2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept to Make World Debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show

Car and Driver magazine has named the 2012 Honda Accord 4-cylinder and the 2012 Honda Fit as two winners of its prestigious and highly competitive, annual “10Best Cars” award. Now in its eighth generation, the Accord has achieved “10Best Cars” status 26 times in the 30 years that Car and Driver editors have been conducting the competition, more than any other vehicle in the award’s history. The Honda Fit has been honored with “10Best Cars” status in each of the six years that it has been on sale in the United States.

“The Car and Driver ‘10Best Cars’ awards document a proud history of great cars in America over the last 30 years,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Honda is honored to again have two of our vehicles included among the best of the best.”

The Fit has been sold in the U.S. since the 2007 model year and is manufactured in Sayama, Japan. The Accord has been sold in the U.S. since the 1976 model year and has been manufactured in Marysville, Ohio since 1982.

Honda Car and Driver “10Best Cars” Award History

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Fit EV~ Coming to Valley Honda Soon! (Check out the video)

Honda  unveiled the all-new 2013 Fit EV at the Los Angeles Auto Show, announcing plans to begin leasing the 123 city-mile per charge (76 mile range combined adjusted city/highway)¹ battery electric commuter vehicle to its U.S. customers in the summer of 2012. The Fit EV is based on the popular Fit hatchback and is a part of the company’s diverse portfolio of alternative fuel vehicles that includes gasoline-electric hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell-electric and natural gas-powered models.

“The Fit EV is the next critical step in Honda’s portfolio approach to alternative fueled vehicles,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “There is no other automaker on the planet whose spirit is more deeply invested in the effort to realize a cleaner, more energy-efficient and ultimately more sustainable transportation future than Honda.”

Customers interested in leasing a Fit EV are encouraged to sign up at www.FitEV.Honda.com where they can receive more information and sign up for the opportunity to become a future Fit EV customer.

Fit EV Performance
The Fit EV is designed to meet the needs of an average urban commuter, offering an estimated driving range of 123-miles on a single charge using the US EPA city cycle test methods (Honda anticipates a combined city/highway EV range of 76 miles on the new Fuel Economy labels) 1. The Fit EV will be powered by a 20 kWh lithium-ion battery and a 92 kilowatt coaxial electric motor. The high density electric motor, derived from the motor used in the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle, delivers excellent efficiency and power while remaining quiet at high speeds.

Driving range of the Fit EV can be maximized by using several innovative features, including a 3- mode electric drive system, adapted from the CR-Z Sport Hybrid. The system allows the driver to select between Econ, Normal and Sport to instantly and seamlessly change the driving experience to maximize efficiency or improve acceleration. While in Econ mode, practical driving range can increase by as much as 17-percent compared to driving in Normal mode. Acceleration improves significantly when in Sport mode, adding to the Fit EV’s fun to drive nature.

In addition to the 3-mode driving system, the Fit EV includes interactive coaching features designed to assist the driver in maximizing battery performance and driving range. The power meter alerts the driver to optimal driving conditions. Additional energy- saving features includes a highly efficient electric air conditioning system and new regenerative braking system.

The 6.6 kW, onboard 32 amp charger allows for convenient recharging of the Fit EV. With a 240-volt charger, the Fit EV can fully recharge in as little as three hours. At launch timing, Honda will have a preferred Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) charging supplier.

Fit EV Exterior and Interior Styling
The exterior dimensions of the Fit EV are identical to the gasoline-powered Fit with the addition of a higher hip point to accommodate the under floor placement of the 20 kWh battery. When the car launches in summer 2012, it will be available in one exclusive color, Reflection Blue Pearl. EV badges on the rear hatch and decals on the side of the vehicle distinguish the electric vehicle from its gasoline counterpart.

The Fit EV carries a familiar chrome front fascia that is similar to other Honda environmentally-responsible vehicles like the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle and Insight hybrid. The Fit EV is outfitted with distinct five-spoke alloy wheels and an aerodynamic rear spoiler.

In the passenger cabin, the seating surfaces are covered with bio-fabric. The Fit EV features illuminated meters that alert the driver to key vehicle functions including state of charge, battery usage and driving range. The meters change color depending on the driving mode selected (green, white or red).

The Fit EV features a spacious and functional cabin with comfortable seating for up to five passengers. For enhanced versatility, the Fit EV offers multiple seating and cargo-carrying configurations.

Fit EV Telematics and Interactive Remote
To help the driver manage the electric vehicle ownership experience, the Fit EV will have a standard telematics system that allows the driver to stay connected through a smartphone, personal computer or interactive remote. Through the Fit EV smartphone and computer applications, the driver can remotely view the vehicles state of charge, initiate charging and activate the air conditioning and heater, to pre-condition the vehicle while connected to the grid which maximizes battery range on start-up. The mobile application and website also offers the ability to set charging notifications and alerts to optimize charging times based on varying utility rates and provides access to 24-hour roadside assistance. The Fit EV will come equipped with a standard Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ that provides the ability to locate public charging stations and frequently updated traffic information.

The interactive remote allows the driver to monitor the vehicles state of charge and cabin temperature. Additionally, the driver can initiate and terminate charging and remotely turn on the air conditioning using the interactive remote. The interactive remote does not require an internet or mobile connection to operate however the driver must be within 100 feet (30 meters) of the vehicle.

Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program
Honda will test the Fit EV with the City of Torrance, California Google Inc. and Stanford University as a part of the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program. Each program participant will provide Honda with real-world feedback on the Fit EV. Individually, each participant will use the Fit EV to further initiatives such as research into human behavior and various usage like personal, fleet and car-sharing.

Honda Environmental Leadership
In addition to the Fit EV, Honda is a leader in the development of leading-edge technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.

Honda has led the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since 2000, and a Honda vehicle has topped the list of America’s greenest vehicles, from the America Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), for eleven consecutive years.

In 2006, Honda became the first automaker to announce voluntary CO2 emissions reduction targets for its global fleet of automobile, powersports and power equipment products and its global network of manufacturing plants. Today, the company is striving for even greater reductions in CO2 emissions that contribute to global climate change, while also working to minimize waste, water use and the total environmental footprint of its operations worldwide.

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