“POWERED BY HONDA”

From Power Equipment to Automobiles,

Honda is the World’s Largest Engine Maker

DETROIT, Jan. 10 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is the largest engine maker in the world, producing more than 10 million engines annually for its automobiles, motorcycles and power products, and for sale to other manufacturers worldwide.

Founded in 1948 as a manufacturer of small motorcycles, Honda today maintains more than 100 manufacturers facilities in 33 countries.

Honda engines have always been the driving force behind the success of its products. From small one-horsepower engines for handheld lawn trimmers to

850-horsepower-plus racing engines, Honda uses state-of-the-art technology to design and build its engines.

Motorcycles: Honda remains faithful to its motorcycle roots and is the world’s largest producer of motorcycles. It consistently works to improve the technology, safety and environmental consciousness of the engines that power its ATVs, motor scooters, off-road and sport bikes, and large touring motorcycles.

Power Equipment: The majority of Honda’s power products are driven by its four-stroke engines, which are quieter and smoother, more fuel efficient and produce lower emissions than two-stroke motors. Honda’s Power Equipment Division sells a diverse line-up of products, ranging from lawn mowers, rototillers, generators and pumps to outboard motors.

Automobiles: Honda’s high-performance VTEC (Variable valve Timing and lift Electronic Control) engine has been the foundation for many of Honda’s breakthroughs in environmental technology. Honda was the first to sell a gasoline-powered car meeting California’s Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) standard in 1995, the first to meet the ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) standard with a gasoline powered engine in 1997 and the first to sell LEV vehicles nationwide. All this was done voluntarily, well ahead of regulatory requirements.

Honda is also the first automaker to offer a gasoline vehicle meeting California’s new Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle standard, the most stringent standard in the world.

Additionally, Honda is a leader in alternative fuel technologies. The natural gas-powered Civic GX achieves near-zero level emissions, and the EV Plus was the first four-passenger electric vehicle with advanced nickel-metal hydride batteries. Honda has also announced its intention to put fuel-cell powered vehicles on the road in 2003, and is researching both methanol and hydrogen prototypes.

Motorsports: Honda has competed in and dominated many forms of racing, from Formula One and CART to Superbike and Supercross. Racing experience ingrains a challenging spirit in Honda engineers. Every product benefits from the advanced technological knowledge and passion for performance they learn at the track.

Honda puts more engines in more products than any other company, producing 2.4 million automobiles, 4 million motorcycles and 4.4 million power products in 1999.

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