New Advanced Environmental Technologies Announced by Honda

Honda Canada Intends to Introduce Battery-Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles

MARKHAM, ON, July 22 /CNW/ - Honda Canada Inc. intends to bring to Canada Honda's new battery-electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid vehicle, slated for introduction in 2012 in the U.S market.

According to Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc., "For years, Honda has taken a portfolio approach to researching and developing optimum solutions for fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles by studying a wide range of technologies. Assessment of plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles is a next step in this approach that includes numerous other potential solutions we are researching, such as hydrogen fuel cell technology, clean diesel and advanced gasoline-electric hybrid systems, to name just a few."

"We intend to bring these two types of vehicles to Canada to give us an opportunity to evaluate our new technology in Canadian conditions, including consideration of partnerships which could offer further benefits to our customers."

American Honda Motor Co. Inc., Torrance, California, announced this week that it will introduce new advanced environmental technology vehicles, including a battery-electric vehicle and a new plug-in hybrid vehicle, to the U.S. market in 2012.

The announcement outlined Honda's commitment to developing advanced environmental technologies for application across all of Honda's global operations. Highlights for the U.S. market include:

    
    -   By the end of 2010 and continuing through 2011, American Honda will
        roll out a battery-electric vehicle demonstration program in the U.S.
        with participants, including Stanford University, Google Inc. and the
        City of Torrance, California.

    -   The City of Torrance, California, will receive a plug-in hybrid
        electric vehicle for evaluation by the end of 2010.

    -   A battery-electric commuter vehicle will be introduced by American
        Honda in the U.S. market in 2012.

    -   A new plug-in hybrid system for mid-size to larger vehicles will be
        introduced by American Honda in the U.S. market in 2012.
    

Now in its 41st year of operation in Canada, Honda Canada Inc. has sold more than 3,300,000 Honda and Acura passenger cars and light-duty trucks in Canada. A record high 91 per cent of the Honda and Acura vehicles sold in Canada in 2009 were produced at the company's assembly plants in North America, up nearly 3 per cent from 2008. Since 1986, Honda has built more than 5,300,000 cars and trucks at its Ontario assembly facilities. More than half of all vehicles sold in Canada last year were made in Canada.

For further information: Richard Jacobs, [phone]