Tokyo, September 4, 1997
Introduction
Seeking to Achieve a New Accord
In May 1976, Honda brought out a new car to the world. The "Accord".
The name "Accord" bore Honda's desire for accord and harmony between people,
society and the automobile.
Developed to redefine the concept of the world's best family car, export sales
started the year of its debut.
Following 21 years and five generations of evolution and development, together
with the accompanying increases in sales and production, the Accord is now a household
name in over 140 countries around the world.
The sixth generation Accord we are introducing today represents another major
evolution in its history.
As a true world car, it has been developed over a common platform. Yet each
region of the world will build its own specific version to best match local needs.
As a result, the New Accord series for Japan has been designed to best meet
the particular needs of the domestic market. It incorporates many advanced technologies
to increase functionality and create new values for the satisfaction of an ever
larger public.
The line-up is composed of the Accord, the New Torneo, and the Accord Wagon.
As we approach the 21st Century, the Accord has already started its journey
toward an ever higher level of world accord.
TOP
The Accord's History
Up to the present, and into the future.
The Accord continues to evolve as technology advances.
The Accord has always been a leader of its time.
The history of the Accord, spanning five generations over 21 years, is the legacy
of Honda's unremitting effort to achieve "accord" between people, society,
and the automobile through advanced technology. Using Honda's experience
in FF (front-engine/front-wheel drive) technology, the Accord was introduced
in 1976 as a statement to the world. This "car worthy of the world" -- heritage
continues to this day. Through technology that places a high priority on
people, each new generation of the Accord has continued to build on the
high reputation of its predecessors, both in Japan and throughout the world,
as a car that proposes new values. From its beginning as a three-door hatchback,
it shifted to a sedan configuration as the basic model, while adding coupe
and station wagon models. This response to diversified needs may be yet
another of the reasons why the Accord continues to be loved throughout the
world. Far from resting on its past achievements, Honda is ever-intent on
demonstrating leadership in each new era. In conjunction with advanced technology,
the Accord continues on its evolutionary path.
Striving for harmony between people, society and the automobile
| 1976:
1st
generation
|
The Accord is born in response to the energy crisis
and stricter controls on emissions. It incorporates low fuel consumption and anti-pollution
measures, while realizing roominess, performance and style. |
- 1600 cc hatchback debuts
- '77 year model 4-door saloon debuts
- Named"'76 Car of the Year Award" by Motor Fan magazine
- Picked as "'77 Car of the Year--Under $5,000 Class"
by Road Test magazine in the U.S.
- Named "'77 Car of the Year" by Wheel magazine in Australia
- Named "'77 Car of the Year--Under $5,000 Class" by
Car & Driver magazine in the U.S.
- Selected as "'78 Best Sedan under $5,000 Class" by
Road & Track magazine in the U.S.
|
- CVCC engine
- Hondamatic with overdrive
- CVCC-II engine
- Speed-sensitive power steering
- Safety indicator
|
| 1981:
2nd
generation
|
Striving toward quality leadership in the compact car category, it is a crystallization of technological excellence not only in the mechanism but in the exterior, interior, and accessories. |
- Accord/Vigor series launched
- From '82, became first Japanese automaker to begin passenger
car production in North America.
- In '82, became the top selling Japanese nameplate (a position
held consecutively for 15 years through '96)
|
- Cruise control
- Auto leveling suspension
- 4-speed full automatic
- 12-valve crossflow engine
- 4-wheel antilock brakes
- 4-speed full automatic with lock-up mechanism
- PGM-Fl electronic control fuel injection system
|
| 1985:
3rd
generation
|
Its stylish aerodynamic shape, while realizing
added roominess, is developed to realize every criterion for sportiness. The creation
of a new set of values. |
- Aerodeck debuts
- Named '85-86 Japan Car of the Year (Awarded by Japan Car of
the Year Executive Committee)
- Adds CA series in '87
- '88 import and sale of U.S.-built model begins in Japan
|
- Retractable headlights
- 2.0-liter DOHC, 1.8-liter DOHC engines
- First Double Wishbone suspension in an FF (front-engine/front-wheel
drive) car
- 3-channel digitally controlled 4-wheel anti-lock brakes
- 4-wheel disk brakes
|
| 1989:
4th
generation
|
Striving to create the ideal compact sedan for
the '90s, Honda starts a new page seeking out what the car's basic functions are,
creating a sedan that puts the highest priority on people. |
- Accord/Ascot series debuts
- Top selling single car model in U.S. in '89 (continues through
'91)
- Begins import/sales of U.S.-built '91 Accord Wagon in Japan
- Begins limited import/sales of U.S.-built Accord Sedan in Japan
- Named by Car & Driver magazine as one of the "Ten Best
Cars in America in 1991. (Has received that award every year since 1982.)
|
- 4WS
- Engine equipped with secondary balancer
- SRS air bag system
|
| 1993:
5th
generation
|
Seeking to create the next-generation car that
measures up to world standards for safety, low-fuel consumption, and environmental
concern, while maintaining the joy of driving, this Accord proposes a new ideal.
|
- Import/sales of Wagon/Coupe in '94
- Named "'93-94 Japan Car of the Year" (Awarded by Japan
Car of the Year Executive Committee)
- Named by Car & Driver magazine as one of the "Ten
Best Cars in America" in 1991.
- Named by Motor Trend magazine as "1994 Import Car
of the Year."
- Named one of "Ten Best Cars in America" for 1995 (sponsored
by Car & Driver magazine)
|
- 2.2-liter VTEC engine
- 2.2-liter DOHC VTEC engine
- Intelligent 4-speed automatic Prosmatec (type II)
- STS airbag system for driver and front passenger seats
- ABS/TDS/LSD
|
| 1997:
6th
generation
|
A new approach to car making, to respond to local
needs throughout the world.
The Japan-best domestic model:
Debut of the
New Accord & Torneo
New Accord Wagon
|
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|
TOP
Accord--A Worldwide Product
The Accord was the first Japanese passenger car to be produced in the
United States of America.
In response to worldwide needs, it continues to define the sedan.
Accords are being produced in 11 locations around the world
TOP
Accord--A Worldwide Product
From the birth of the first-generation Accords in 1976 and their export to the
United States that same year, the Accord quickly reached the production milestone
of 1 million units in 1980. In 1982, Honda's plant in Ohio began the first localized
production of passenger cars by a Japanese automaker in the U.S. Since then, the
Accord has continued to expand its presence in world markets. Presently produced
in 11 countries in four regions of the world, Accords are sold in more than 140
countries.
Behind this achievement is an extremely high level of quality, with uniform,
consistent standards achieved throughout the world. That quality is an essential
for staying in tune with user needs while defining the role a sedan should assume.
To continue to meet that goal, Honda's production bases stand shoulder to shoulder,
people of different nationalities and customs united in manufacturing the Accord.
And now, building on this basic posture, production of the Accord is assuming
a new orientation so that production centers can meet the needs of each region
in even greater depth.
TOP
World Accord Concept
A new approach to car building that optimizes production for each region.
To make "the right Accord for each region" possible, we have developed a flexible
platform to be shared throughout the world.
The Accord: Beloved by owners in over 140 countries around the world. For Honda to maintain its world leadership as a sedan in each successive generation, it has constantly striven to take up the challenge of innovative auto making. From this has come the concept of segmenting production of Accords in Japan, the U.S., Europe and Asia, to respond more precisely to local user needs.
The environment in which cars exist changes with the times. As markets in
each country mature, changes may involve differences in road size or traffic conditions
within a country, or differences in the physical size, lifestyles or values of
the inhabitants. Particularly in the case of a family's first car, there is no
room for compromise: demands and requirements are wide and varied.
Honda, based on its philosophy of "manufacturing where demand exists," is
promoting localized manufacturing, and continues to elevate product precision
in each manufacturing center. Now it has merged these two trends so that each
staff member engaged in aspects of development, production, sales, quality, procurement,
and so on is able to grasp these trends simultaneously and in the same dimension,
in order to realize both "development of most appropriate concepts for each region"
and "truly high manufacturing efficiency."
These have been made possible using a worldwide flexible platform embodying
Honda's best in FF (front-engine/front-wheel drive) car technology. This nucleus
has been the basis for establishing product concepts specific to each region.
Our flexible approach permits tailoring such attributes as body size or shape
to the specific needs and preferences of each region.
The result of this is the realization of a "World Accord," a true world car
that is achieving harmony with people and their society in different regions of
the world.
TOP
Japan Accord Concept
Bringing together the best in Honda's technology to create the Japan-best
New Accord Series. Seeking advanced high performance at the world's highest standard.
For the simultaneous development of two sedans and one station wagon--the
New Accord/Torneo and New Accord Wagon--Honda embarked on a grand concept common
to these three models.
- First, the indispensable active pursuit of environmental responsibility, such
as reducing harmful exhaust emissions and fuel consumption.
- Then, pursuit of the world's highest standards of safety.
Having secured these two basic attributes, then, to supply the touches that
makes it an Accord,
- Developing the high-performance engine and high-performance chassis that make
the act of driving itself a pleasurable one.
- Pursuing a sporty image and dynamic feeling giving both the sedans and wagon
a unique and bold statement.
- Pursuing ample interior space in the sedan and added space utility in the
wagon, giving both models outstanding packaging.
And while fulfilling these technical requirements,
- To provide added value for money
Thereby not only meeting--but surpassing--the customer's expectations in terms
of value.
Honda has applied all of its technical expertise to bring together these attributes,
achieving the creation of advanced, high performance sedans and wagon that set
new world standards.
TOP
Accord Concept and Technology
New Accord Series, Concept and Technology
Advanced, high-performance sporty sedan
Accord & Torneo
Advanced, high-performance sporty wagon
Accord Wagon
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September 4, 1997
