The Accord---An American Success Story

The Accord--An American Success Story

September 19, 2012


The all-new 2013 Honda Accord hits dealer showrooms today

SEP. 19 - When the Honda Accord first went on sale in 1976, it would have

been impossible to predict the impact this unassuming car would eventually

have on America, and on Honda. A big brother to the efficient and highly

successful Civic, the Japanese-built Accord was perfectly in tune with the

post-fuel-crisis times into which it was born.


Efficient and fun to drive, the Accord was an appealing alternative to the

traditional large domestic sedans that were in their waning years of

popularity. The Accord soon became the default choice for smart,

progressive consumers. Today, the Accord is Honda's top-selling vehicle and

perennially ranks as one of the top-selling passenger cars in America,

particularly on a retail basis. In fact, last month, despite being the

outgoing model, the 2012 Accord was the fourth best-selling vehicle in the

U.S.


From the beginning, the design of the Accord has been driven by the

unending study of the needs of Accord customers, both current and

potential. With the launch of the 2013 Accord Sedan and Coupe, the ninth

major project generation, the Accord has become an expressive and

impressively upscale vehicle that continues to precisely track the evolving

needs and desires of its customer base. Whether it's the need for greater

visibility with features like LaneWatchTM, more standard safety features

like Vehicle Stability AssistTM or their desire for a more connected car--a

call which HondaLink answers--fulfilling the needs of the Accord customer

has always been the focus.


Through the Accord, perhaps more than any other single product, America has

come to know and respect Honda. Generations of Americans have grown up with

the Accord as an integral, trustworthy part of their daily lives. For

customers like Million Mile Joe, it's all about owning a product that is

the hallmark of reliability.


The Accord's quality is legendary, and its consistent competitiveness in

the marketplace has been validated time and again with awards and accolades

throughout its long history. For example, the Accord has received Car and

Driver's prestigious and highly competitive annual "10Best Cars" Award a

record 26 times.


And this new Accord looks like another winner! In fact Sunday's New York

Times review of the 2013 Accord noted that the vehicle "is so thoroughly

pleasant and capable that its buyers may even be tempted to admit enjoying

it." And while the review pointed out that, "Almost all of the cars in this

market segment are very good." It added, "But this new Accord is

excellent."


Blending all aspects of performance with efficiency and value, the Accord

is arguably Honda's most important image-building product, as it touches so

many lives. The Accord is truly the bread and butter, heart and soul of

Honda.


Over the course of 37 model years, the Accord has evolved to suit the

tastes of American drivers. At the same time, the Accord has helped form

those tastes, with a distinctive, engaging character that has pushed other

manufacturers to compete. Although the 2013 Accord shares not a single spec

with its 1976 forebearer, its lineage is undiluted. The Accord remains

perfectly in tune with the times.


Built Close to Home for 30 Years

In November 1982, Honda became the first Japanese automaker to manufacture

cars in the U.S. when it began production of the Accord (using domestic and

globally sourced parts) at the new Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio.



As Honda celebrates 30 years of Accord production in the United States the

all-new 2013 Accord represents the ever-expanding capabilities of Honda in

North America. Virtually every aspect of this Accord was developed, tested

and finalized by Honda associates throughout California and Ohio.