Reading, Berkshire, June 16, 1998 - On June 15, the European subsidiary of Honda, Honda Motor Europe Ltd. (HME: Headquarters: Reading, Berkshire, UK; President: Minoru Harada) unveiled an outline of the new European Accord models that will be going on sale throughout Europe from this autumn.

All of the new Europe-only models will be manufactured starting in July at Honda's European manufacturing facility in the UK. This plant, which acquired ISO 14001 certification in March 1998, is owned and managed by Honda of the U.K. Manufacturing Ltd. (HUM: Headquarters: Swindon, Wiltshire, UK; President: Akira Takano).

As well as many of the latest safety features, the new European Accord models also boast an improved environment-friendly profile - with better fuel economy, lower exhaust emission levels, and higher recyclability. A flexible chassis platform design ensures these Accords give both driver and passengers more cabin space than other vehicles in the same class. Combined with upgraded engine performance throughout the series, the new European Accords deliver a more comfortable and enjoyable ride.

The series-connected 4-cylinder engines fitted to the series will vary in size from 1.6 to 2.2 liters. The series includes the Accord Type-R, a 2.2-liter model with specially enhanced engine performance that will also go on sale this autumn. The line-up will be further augmented with the launch next spring of a new 5-door hatchback Accord model, the first time a 5-door version has been included in the European Accord range. Full pricing details will be released at the time of launch this autumn.

The Accord is now on sale in 130 countries around the world. With over 9 million units sold to date, the Accord is Honda's biggest single brand of car. For this particular full model upgrade, the company has developed an entirely new flexible chassis platform. As a result of Honda's regional marketing and product development policy, the Accord models sold around the world are carefully tailored to the needs of local consumers. In terms of size and design, the new European Accord models are very different to their cousins designed to serve the Japanese and North American markets.