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| (American Honda Motor
Co., Inc. (Headquarters: Torrance, CA; President : Kouichi Amemiya),
U.S. subsidiary of Honda Motor Co. Ltd. made the following announcement
on 26th February 2001, local time.) |
Corporate February 26, 2001 |
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| 2001 Honda Civic GX First to Achieve Newest Emission Control Standards |
TORRANCE, Calif., Feb. 26 -
The natural gas-powered 2001 Honda Civic GX has become the first vehicle
ever certified as an "Advanced Technology" near-zero emission vehicle and
the first to achieve nationwide SULEV status, American Honda Motor, Co.,
Inc., announced today.
The Civic GX's "Advanced Technology P-ZEV" certification from the California
Air Resources Board is the result of near-zero total vehicle emissions combined
with the exceptionally low fuel cycle emissions of natural gas. As a result
of complying with the P-ZEV (Partial-credit, Zero Emission Vehicle) standard
and 150,000 mile or 15-year emissions durability certification, the Civic
GX now is eligible to receive credits under California's Zero Emission Vehicle
requirements.
California's Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle requirements (SULEV, which
are virtually the same as Federal EPA Tier-2, Bin-2 requirements) are the
most rigorous in the world. The requirements call for a 96 percent reduction
in hydrocarbon emissions from the existing Federal Tier-1 passenger car
levels, and an 86 percent reduction compared to the California Low Emission
Vehicle (LEV) standard.
During Civic GX testing, hydrocarbon emissions were so low they were virtually
immeasurable with conventional laboratory instruments. GX greenhouse gas
emissions (CO2) also are significantly lower than
a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle.
In addition, because it operates exclusively on natural gas, the Federal
EPA also certified the Civic GX as an ILEV (Inherently Low Emission Vehicle),
recognizing the environmental benefits of a sealed fuel system that emits
zero evaporative emissions.
"The Civic GX NGV is an example of existing technology that can have an
immediate impact by significantly reducing vehicle emissions," said Stephen
Ellis, American Honda manager of alternative fuel vehicle sales and marketing.
"Honda is committed to maintaining its leadership role in lowering automotive
emissions and advancing practical alternative fuel vehicles. The Civic GX
is one example of the technology that makes this possible."
The Civic GX recently was recognized by the American Council for an Energy
Efficient Economy (ACEEE) along with the Honda Insight hybrid vehicle, as
having the best overall score in the annual ACEEE Green Book: The Environmental
Guide to Cars and Trucks.
The Civic GX is a dedicated NGV and marketed nationwide, primarily to fleet
customers. Introduced in 1998, the Civic GX was the first NGV to be entirely
manufactured on the assembly line, and is built exclusively in East Liberty,
Ohio, using both domestic and globally-sourced parts.
The 2001 Civic GX features virtually all of the advancements found in the
all-new 2001 Civic Sedan lineup, including a more spacious interior. In
fact, the Civic Sedan has now moved from the subcompact into the compact
class. The GX itself has a 25 percent larger trunk than the previous model,
is equipped with an advanced continuously variable automatic transmission
(CVT) and offers optional Anti-Lock brakes packaged with side impact airbags.
The new 2001 Civic lineup recently swept all the IntelliChoice Awards for
best car values in the subcompact and compact classes. IntelliChoice is
a leading independent automotive information company and the largest publisher
of consumer automobile reports in the U.S.
Honda also offers a SULEV certified Accord in California, the first gasoline-powered
vehicle to meet this strict California standard. In 2000, more than 85 percent
of all Hondas received a "low emission vehicle" rating or better.
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| The natural gas-powered 2001 Honda Civic GX
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