Honda Builds the Most Top Safety-Rated Models in America

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TORRANCE, Calif., Feb. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Honda has more top safety-rated vehicles made in America than any other automaker.[1] Four 2014 Honda models – the Honda Accord Sedan, Honda Accord Coupe, Honda Civic Sedan and Honda Odyssey – have earned the highest possible rating of TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2014 Civic Coupe was named a TOP SAFETY PICK. Honda associates at plants in Ohio, Alabama and Indiana produce these top-rated Honda vehicles using domestic and globally sourced parts.

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Looking at all Honda and Acura models including those built in other markets, American Honda has a total of six models, the most of any automaker, that have received a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the IIHS under its more challenging requirements implemented for the 2014 model year. Two American Honda models also earned TOP SAFETY PICK ratings. [See chart at the end of this release for a list of all models.]

This leading safety performance is reflective of Honda's unique commitment to "safety for everyone" — based on studying real-world situations to develop vehicles with state-of-the-art collision protection and advanced safety and driver assistive technologies. Ultimately, the company is focused on achieving a collision free society, not only for drivers and passengers of Honda vehicles, but everyone on the road.

"Honda and its passionate engineers are delivering crash safety test performance at industry-leading levels as a result of our strong and continuous focus on innovation in safety technology and vehicle design," said Art St. Cyr, vice president of product planning and logistics at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "When you add safety leadership to our world-class durability, inventive packaging and top-class fuel efficiency, you've got the makings for a really smart choice for American car buyers[2]."

In addition to its leadership in safety, American Honda holds the top spot in overall fuel efficiency among full-line automakers, according to the U.S. EPA's most recent fuel economy trends report. Moreover, the Honda brand also has more vehicles on the road after 25 years of service than any other mainstream automotive brand, according to Polk vehicle registration statistics from 1988-2012.

Honda and Acura vehicles are available with leading-edge safety and driver assistive technologies, including Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering^™ (ACE^™) body structure and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system. Honda's ACE body structure, now in its second generation, improves frontal crash energy management through a wider range of offset and oblique collision modes. In addition, other body reinforcements work in tandem with the strengthened body structure to better maintain the occupant compartment volume during frontal collisions by providing additional crash energy pathways to help mitigate the forces transmitted to the passenger compartment. Forward Collision Warning (FCW) uses audible and visual warnings to alert the driver when the system determines that a collision with a detected vehicle or object is likely[3].

Other available safety and driver-assistive technologies include: anti-lock brakes, Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and LaneWatch™ display; side curtain airbags; dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; and front-side airbags. American Honda also is a leader in equipping vehicles with rearview cameras, applied as standard equipment on 17 of 19 models in the company's 2014 new-vehicle lineup, a technology that also will be featured on the all-new 2015 Fit, launching in spring 2014.

For more detailed information about Honda's history of leadership in the development and application of advanced technologies and vehicle designs that are meant to enhance the safety of all road users, please view our Safety Issue Brief.

About Honda 
Honda has more than 30 years of experience producing automobiles in America, beginning with the Accord in Marysville, Ohio, in November 1982. Honda currently operates 14 major manufacturing facilities in North America producing a wide range of Honda automobiles, all-terrain vehicles, power equipment products, engines and transmissions.  Honda has produced more than 25 million Honda and Acura vehicles in North America using domestic and globally sourced parts, and more than 95 percent of Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the United Stated in 2013 were produced in North America.

IIHS Safety Ratings
The IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK rating recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting vehicle occupants involved in front, side and rear crashes, plus rollover and small overlap front crashes based on performance in the Institute's tests. Under this year's more challenging requirements, the IIHS is using the TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation to recognize vehicles that not only performed well in its crash tests but also are equipped with technologies that help prevent or mitigate front-to-rear collisions. Front collision prevention, which includes both warning systems and automatic braking, is intended to help inattentive drivers avoid rear-ending a stopped or slower-moving vehicle in front of them.

2014 American Honda TOP SAFETY PICK+ Vehicles:

2014 American Honda TOP SAFETY PICK Vehicles:

[1] Based on 2014 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK ratings as of 12/19/2013, by brand for vehicles manufactured in the United States using both domestic and globally sourced parts.

[2] Durability based on longevity. Longevity based on IHS Automotive, Polk U.S. vehicles in operation registration statistics 1988-2012 for Honda and non-luxury competing brands.

[3] Intended as a warning system only, FCW will not automatically activate the brakes, and the driver remains responsible for safely operating the vehicle and avoiding collisions.

SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.