Honda Worldwide | World News | News Release



\| Printer Friendly

Technology

September 4, 1997

Accord--Accord, Torneo, Accord Wagon

Introduction

The Accord's History

Accord--A Worldwide Product

World Accord Concept

Japan Accord Concept

Accord Concept and Technology

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

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.

Accord--A Worldwide Product

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.

World Accord Concept

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.

Japan Accord Concept