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Honda President and CEO Takeo Fukui Announces New Safety and
Environmental Initiatives
Honda
World News
Detroit
January 11, 2005 -- Honda Motor Co., Ltd. president and CEO
Takeo Fukui, speaking at the North American International
Auto Show today, announced several new safety and environmental
initiatives for Honda and Acura vehicles as he reinforced
the company's commitment to leadership in these critical areas
of social responsibility. The new initiatives include an advanced
collision avoidance system for the Acura RL, new safety and
advanced powertrain features for the next generation Honda Civic, expansion of Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) to
the Honda Pilot and introduction of a fuel cell vehicle to
an individual customer.
This fall, the 2006 Acura RL will be equipped
with Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS) + E-Pretensioners,
the world's most advanced system for accident avoidance. CMBS
uses millimeter wave radar to detect a collision before it
happens and alerts the driver with audible and visual signals
and by pre-tensioning of the seatbelt. If an accident appears
unavoidable, the system applies braking force to reduce the
severity of the collision.
Based on Honda's industry leading "Safety
for Everyone" initiative, the next generation 2006 Civic
will set new standards for safety performance in the compact
class. The new Civic, being introduced this fall, will feature
anti-lock brakes, side curtain airbags, driver and passenger
side airbags with Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)
technology and pedestrian safety features as standard equipment
on all U.S. Civic models. In addition, the new Civic will
utilize Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body
structure for improved occupant protection and compatibility
with larger vehicles in a collision, the first application
of this technology in a compact-class vehicle.
In the area of environmental leadership, Mr.
Fukui announced plans to further advance and expand the use
of Honda fuel-efficient technologies including its hybrid
technology and Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system.
VCM will be applied to the 2006 Honda Pilot sport-utility
vehicle scheduled to debut this fall. VCM deactivates three
of the engine's six cylinders during cruising, deceleration
and other low engine load conditions to reduce fuel consumption.
This technology was first introduced in the U.S. in 2004 on
the all-new 2005 Odyssey minivan and 2005 Accord Hybrid.
Further, the 2006 Civic will be powered by
the newest and most advanced generation of Honda's i-VTEC
engine technology to achieve even higher fuel economy and
lower emissions. And a new Civic Hybrid will feature enhancements
to Honda's IMA hybrid technology to achieve significantly
higher fuel economy and performance. The natural gas Civic
GX, powered by the cleanest internal combustion engine in
the world, will continue to be made in Ohio.
Honda also announced its plans to place a
fuel cell vehicle with an individual customer. The company
will seek out interested parties to become the first private
individual to lease its FCX fuel cell vehicle for regular
everyday use. The 2005 FCX is the world's most advanced fuel
cell vehicle and the only FCV to earn certification from the
U.S. EPA and California's Air Resources Board (CARB). It is
powered by Honda's originally developed fuel cell stack (Honda
FC Stack) with the breakthrough ability to start and operate
in below freezing temperatures, along with significantly improved
performance, efficiency and range.
Honda is one of the world's leading producers
of mobility products including its diverse line-up of automobiles,
motorcycles and ATVs, power products, marine engines and personal
watercraft. This diverse product line-up has also made Honda
the world's preeminent engine-maker, with production of more
than 19 million engines globally in 2004. On a global basis,
Honda has more than 120 manufacturing facilities in 31 nations.
Honda began operations in North America in 1959 with the establishment
of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda's first overseas
subsidiary. Honda began assembling motorcycles in America
in 1979, with U.S. automobile manufacturing starting in 1982.
Honda now employs more than 26,000 Americans in the design,
manufacture and marketing of its products in America. Honda
currently builds products in 12 manufacturing plants in North
America, with three major R&D centers in the U.S.
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For more information and images of Honda products,
please visit American Honda's
media web site at www.hondanews.com
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