Torrance, California, November 11, 1998 - New Odyssey Minivan Meets Light-Truck LEV Standards
Nearly two-thirds of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. will be equipped with advanced low emission technology during the 1999 model year, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. announced on November 9, 1998 local time. Production of Low Emission Vehicles will increase by 200,000 bringing the total number of vehicles to about 650,000.

The all-new Honda Odyssey minivan, now on sale across the United States, meets California's LEV (Low Emission Vehicle) standard for light trucks. Powered by a 24-valve, 3.5-liter V-6 engine, the seven-passenger Odyssey achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 18 city/26 highway.

Honda also increased the number of Civic and Accord models with low emission technology. Virtually all Honda Civic Sedan, Coupe and Hatchback models (except HX Coupe) meet Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards for 1999. LEV standards call for 70 percent lower emissions of non-methane organic gases (hydrocarbons) and 50 percent lower emissions of nitrous oxides than the federal standard.

Honda also expands availability of ULEV (Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle) Accords to include LX models equipped with automatic transmissions, which will be sold in California and many Northeast states. ULEV can reduce hydrocarbons even further, meeting a standard 86 percent lower than the current federal standards. In addition, the 1999 Honda Passport sport utility vehicle with automatic transmission meets California light truck LEV standards.

"The best way to lower overall pollution levels is to improve the technology that impacts the greatest number of vehicles," says Tom Elliott, executive vice president of American Honda. "Gasoline engines are likely to remain the dominant power source for the foreseeable future, and Honda engineers are committed to making further advances in increasing fuel economy and lowering vehicle emissions of the internal combustion engine."

Reducing fuel consumption is very important in the effort to lower greenhouse gas emissions, and this year three of the EPA's top-10 fuel economy leaders are Honda Civics. Combined sales of these three vehicles represent more than half of the total sales of the top 10. The 1999 Honda Civic HX with manual transmission is rated at 36 city/44 highway and the Civic HX with Honda's innovative CVT (continuously-variable transmission) is rated at 34 city/39 highway and is the only vehicle with an automatic transmission ever to make the top-10 list. The Civic Sedan, Coupe and Hatchback with 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission is rated at 32 city/37 highway.

The foundation for many of Honda's clean-burning, fuel-efficient vehicles is the VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) engine. By providing different valve timing and valve lift profiles for low-rpm and high-rpm operation, the VTEC engine delivers a broader, flatter torque curve, low emissions and smooth power delivery throughout the rpm range.

In 1996, Honda became the first automaker to sell cars meeting California's LEV (Low Emission Vehicle) standard, and the company now voluntarily sells LEV Civics and Accords in all 50 states and Canada. The following year, Honda became the first manufacturer to sell a gasoline-powered car - a Honda Accord model - meeting California's ULEV standard, the toughest standard in the world.

Northeast: CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA & VT

LEV: Low Emission Vehicle
ULEV: Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle
ZEV: Zero Emission Vehicle
NGV: Natural Gas Vehicle