---

Honda Insight Tops EPA Fuel Economy Report

4 October 2000

Honda Insight Tops EPA Fuel Economy Report; New Civic Makes Top Ten; Accord Leads Mid-Size Segment

    TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 3 The 2001 Honda Insight, the first
gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle sold in North America, earned top honors for
the second straight year in the Environmental Protection Agency annual report
on automotive fuel economy.  With an average fuel economy of 64 mpg, the
Insight surpassed the next most efficient vehicle by more than 16 mpg.
    Also making the top ten list were two versions of the all-new 2001 Honda
Civic, the Civic HX with manual transmission and the Civic HX with CVT
(continuously variable transmission).  The all-new Civic, now classified as a
compact car by the EPA, boasts significant improvements in safety, performance
and efficiency, with fuel economy gains ranging from five to nine percent over
previous models.
    "With fuel prices hitting new highs, we see consumers looking more closely
at fuel economy as a factor in their car purchase," said Tom Elliott,
executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.  "It's great to
receive this recognition."
    Also posting a top score in the 2001 fuel economy study is the redesigned
2001 Accord, earning a tie for first place in the mid-size car segment.  The
Accord Sedan and Coupe boast new styling, a quieter ride and numerous other
improvements for 2001.
    Recognized as the world's most efficient gasoline-powered automobile, the
Insight employs Honda's innovative IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) hybrid
technology, combining a 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder gasoline engine with electric
motor assist for improved efficiency.  The electric motor is powered by
nickel-metal hydride batteries which are recharged by regenerative braking
during normal driving.
    Also contributing to the Insight's world-class fuel efficiency is its
lightweight yet strong aluminum body structure -- 40 percent lighter than a
comparably-sized steel body -- along with its highly aerodynamic body design.
The Insight also provides outstanding safety, meeting all current U.S.,
European and Japanese standards as well as 2003 safety standards for side
impact and head-injury protection.
    The Insight is the latest in a long-line of Honda innovation in the areas
of fuel efficiency and low emissions.  Honda has the highest Corporate Average
Fuel Economy (CAFE) rating of any full-line automaker, while more than 88% of
all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in North America are equipped with advanced
low emissions technology.

    Honda clean air innovations include:
    -- EV Plus (May, 1997) -- the first application of advanced nickel-metal
       hydride batteries in an electric vehicle.

    -- Civic GX (April, 1998) -- the natural gas-powered Civic GX has been
       certified as the cleanest internal combustion vehicle ever tested.

    -- Accord SULEV (February, 2000) -- this Super Ultra-Low Emissions Accord
       was the first SULEV sold in the United States and was certified as the
       cleanest gasoline-powered vehicle.

    -- 2001 Civic (September, 2000) -- the all-new Civic is the first car to
       meet California's ULEV (Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle) standard in all 50
       states.