Two-Millionth Honda Civic Sold in Canada

THEN and NOW: In celebration of the two-millionth Honda Civic sold in Canada since 1973, a 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback is shown with a 1977 Honda Civic Hatchback. Civic is Honda’s longest-running automotive nameplate and is Canada’s best-selling passenger car the past 19 consecutive years. (CNW Group/Honda Canada Inc.)

MARKHAM, ON, May 23, 2017 /CNW/ - Honda Canada Inc. today announced the retail sale of the two-millionth Honda Civic in Canada since the nameplate's introduction in 1973.  As Canada's best-selling passenger car in Canada the past 19 consecutive years, Civic is a key pillar to Honda Canada's success and accounts for nearly 40 percent of the brand's annual sales.  The Honda Civic is proudly built at the company's manufacturing facilities in Alliston, Ontario, for Canadians, by Canadians.

"The success of the Civic over the years has led to the organic growth of a passionate and dedicated 'Civic Nation'; a community made up of Canadians from all walks of life.  This community may not have common interests or originate from the same place, but it's the love of the Civic that unites them," said Jean Marc Leclerc, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Honda Canada Inc.  "Being built at our Canadian manufacturing facilities and achieving this remarkable sales milestone has certainly cemented Civic's importance in Canada."

The tenth and latest generation Civic represents one of the most comprehensive and ambitious new-model developments ever undertaken by Honda, requiring an unprecedented commitment of R&D resources and Honda engineering prowess.  The result is a perfect marriage of styling, performance and packaging that has continued to build on the model's iconic status.

Civic is Honda's longest-running automotive nameplate and its largest selling model globally.  Its Canadian introduction came in 1973, when Civic was heralded for its refined driving dynamics, quality construction and world-class fuel efficiency.  The revolutionary CVCC (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion) engine debuted in Civic and established Honda's place in history as a leader in powertrain innovation.  Over the course of ten generations, the Civic has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of Honda customers in North America and around the world, and has consistently set the bar for fuel efficiency, driving performance and design innovation in an affordable compact-class vehicle.

Honda Civic quick facts

• The Civic nameplate launched in Canada in 1973, selling 747 units in its first year.
• Honda Civic sales reached its annual peak in 2008 with 72,463 units sold.
• Cumulative Canadian sales of Civic reached 2,000,000 in May 2017.
• Civic has been Canada's best-selling passenger car for 19 consecutive years.
• Production of Civic (three-door) began in 1988 at Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) in Alliston, Ontario.
• To date, more than 4.8 million Civics have been built at Honda's manufacturing facilities in Canada.
• In 2015, HCM became the global lead plant for the tenth generation Honda Civic, marking the first time a global lead plant had been located outside of Japan.  This decision was a direct reflection on the more than 4,000 highly-skilled Canadian manufacturing associates at HCM.
• Generation recap:
• 1^st: 1973 – 1979 / Hatchback
• 2^nd: 1980 – 1983 / Hatchback (1980), Sedan (1981), Wagon (1981)
• 3^rd: 1984 – 1987 / Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon
• 4^th: 1988 – 1991 / Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon, CRX
• 5^th: 1992 – 1995 / Hatchback, Sedan, Coupe (1993)
• 6^th: 1996 – 2000 / Hatchback, Sedan, Coupe
• 7^th: 2001 – 2005 / Sedan, Coupe, Hatchback (2003)
• 8^th: 2006 – 2011 / Sedan, Coupe
• 9^th: 2012 – 2015 / Sedan, Coupe
• 10^th: 2016 – Current / Sedan, Coupe, Hatchback (2016), Type-R (coming 2017)

About Honda
Honda Canada Inc. (HCI) was founded in 1969 and is the parent company for both Honda and Acura vehicle brands in Canada.  The company has produced more than 7.8 million cars and light trucks since 1986 at its two manufacturing facilities and builds engines at a third manufacturing plant in Alliston, Ontario.  Both manufacturing facilities are extremely flexible and currently build Honda Civic and CR-V models.  Honda Canada has invested more than $4.7 billion in Canada and each year it sources nearly $2.1 billion in goods and services from Canadian suppliers.  Honda Canada has sold more than four million Honda and Acura passenger cars and light trucks in Canada.

SOURCE Honda Canada Inc.

Carol Susko [phone]; Laura Heasman [phone]