Honda Announces Additional Details on New Small Hybrid Vehicle

Reduction in component size and manufacturing costs to improve hybrid
affordability

TORRANCE, Calif., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Honda today announced additional
details regarding its new small hybrid scheduled for introduction in early
2009, as part of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. CEO Takeo Fukui's mid-year address. An
official name and full product details will be announced later this year.
In addition to weight reduction, a significant cost reduction in
Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) components will result in the most affordable
hybrid vehicle to date. This dedicated hybrid vehicle will be offered as a
5-door hatchback with seating for five passengers and will employ an exterior
design concept that evokes the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle. Along with the
Civic Hybrid, the new vehicle will be produced at an expanded IMA production
line at Honda's Suzuka factory in Japan.
The new small gasoline/electric hybrid vehicle will have expected annual
global sales of 200,000 units per year -- approximately 100,000 of which are
bound for the North American market. Following this launch, Honda also plans
to introduce another unique small hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z sports car
first shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show as well as a Fit hybrid model.
Including the Civic Hybrid, these four hybrid vehicles are expected to reach
combined annual global sales of approximately 500,000 units.
"Honda has been at the forefront of hybrid development since it first
introduced the American public to hybrid technology with the Insight in 1999,"
said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. "These new
advancements in Honda's technology and production systems will result in cost
reductions that will allow us to make hybrid technology available to a whole
new generation of buyers."
Featuring seating for five passengers, distinctive styling and high-value
amenities, the new hybrid will present an appealing package. Taking advantage
of reductions in the size of components, the battery and the internal
processing unit will be positioned below the rear cargo area, allowing the
hatchback design to provide adequate cargo space to meet the needs of a
family. Additionally, various technologies, including a function to assist
more fuel-efficient driving, are being installed to achieve a further
improvement of practical fuel efficiency. With its affordable price, the new
hybrid vehicle will represent the best value in its segment.
The new hybrid will be produced at a newly developed second IMA production
line at Honda's Suzuka factory, which currently produces the Civic Hybrid.
With the second line in operation and improvements in IMA production
efficiency, hybrid production capacity at Suzuka will increase from 70,000
vehicles per year to approximately 250,000 units, with future expansion
possible if needed.
Honda is committed to offering products with the highest environmental
performance produced at factories with reduced environmental footprints. A
leader in the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient mobility products,
Honda introduced the first low-emission vehicles; America's first gas/electric
hybrid car, the Insight and the world's first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel-cell
vehicle, among other environmental achievements. In 2007, Honda was named
"greenest automaker" by the Union of Concerned Scientists for the fourth
straight time.
For more information and downloadable high-resolution images of Honda
vehicles, including the Civic Hybrid, please visit http://www.hondanews.com.
Consumer information is available at http://www.honda.com.
SOURCE Honda

Sage Marie, +1-310-200-8359, or Chris Martin, +1-310-897-4803, both of Honda