TORRANCE, U.S.A., December 19, 2005 - Honda has released its 2005 North American Environmental Report covering the company's performance during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005. This comprehensive report, now available for download on Honda's Corporate Web site at www.honda.com, is the first Honda has issued in North America and is focused on the environmental performance of the full-line of Honda and Acura products, manufacturing operations and corporate activities of 13 Honda group companies in North America.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has annually published a detailed Environmental Report since 1999, focused primarily on Honda's activities in Japan - accessible at world.honda.com. An environmental report covering Honda's Asia/Oceania Region, has been published by Honda in Thailand since 2000.
Highlights from Honda's 2005 North American Environmental Report:
- About 80% of 2005 Honda/Acura vehicles achieved U.S. EPA and Transport Canada Tier 2 emissions requirements for 2007 (Tier 2 Bin 5 or better) -- far above the rest of the auto industry.
- American Honda maintained the best overall corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) among all major manufacturers (29.09 mpg for the 2004 model year)
- Honda was the first automaker to offer three distinct hybrid models in the U.S. and Canada.
- 15 Honda FCX fuel cell vehicles are in use in the U.S., including one in daily use by the world's first individual customer.
- Honda accomplished the complete integration of 4-stroke motorcycle products 4 years ago, except for a few special off-road models.
- 11 of Honda's 12 major plants in North America have been certified to the ISO 14001 environmental management standard.
- More than 90% of the parts shipped to Honda auto plants in the U.S. and Canada use returnable containers.
- Every 2004 model year vehicle designed and assembled in North America has achieved 90% or greater recyclability based on the ISO standard 22628.
- While Honda production of automobiles, power sports products and power equipment in North America increased by 19%, 28% and 300% respectively, over the previous five year period, energy use at Honda plants in North America increased by about 24% for the same period (fiscal years ending March 31, 2001 to March 31, 2005).
- Honda continues its efforts to reduce or eliminate use of substances of concern (mercury, lead, hexavalent chromium, cadmium, PVC and brominated substances).
- A Honda facility in Gresham, Oregon, earned the U.S. Green Building Council's Gold LEED-NC (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification.
Honda began operations in North America in 1959, with the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda's first overseas subsidiary. Honda now employs more than 30,000 associates in North America. Honda currently has 12 manufacturing plants in North America, producing automobiles, light trucks, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, personal watercraft, engines, transmissions and other components. Many of these products are designed and developed at Honda's U.S. R&D centers. Honda annually purchases more than $14 billion in parts and materials from suppliers in North America.