HONDA NEWSBRIEFS: OCTOBER 1999 MOTOR SHOW EDITION

Insight at the Show
It�s clean, it�s green and it�s here soon. Honda�s remarkable Insight makes its debut at Earls Court before sales begin in April 2000 - when it will become the first commercially available petrol/electric hybrid vehicle in Britain.

The Insight�s achievements are made possible by Honda�s clever Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system. This features a high efficiency petrol engine working in tandem with a 10 kW electric motor to the overall benefit of performance and fuel efficiency. But the Insight is more than just a technological showcase, it�s also designed to be practical to own, affordable to run, extremely safe, and above all, fun to drive.

"Honda set out to design a coupe for the 21st century, a car that would be frugal yet fun - and one which would showcase Honda�s advancing environmental technologies. We believe that we have achieved this," says Honda (UK)�s Head of Marketing, Martin Sanders.

Accord Type-V
An exclusive top specification Honda makes its show debut at Earls Court, the Accord Type-V. The new flagship marks the creation of a �Type-V� sub-brand, which aims to replicate the success of Honda�s motor sport oriented �Type-R� in the luxury car market. It is exclusively available in the new 5-door body style, with UK sales beginning from Oct 1st.

Type-V offers a level of comfort unsurpassed in the D-sector. The interior includes a special "Bridge of Weir" piped leather upholstery, wood and leather steering wheel, polished metal door handles and automatic transmission gear selector gate, ivory-effect instrument dials, front centre console, rear sunblind, specific alloy wheels, 6-disc CD autochanger and more...

The Type-V is available with the 2.0 litre VTEC engine, with manual or Sequential Shift (SS) automatic transmission and with or without factory fit satellite navigation. On-the-road prices start at �21,750.

Used, not abused
With all the excitement of the Motor Show, it�s easy to forget that not everyone can afford - or chooses to buy - a brand new car. However, Honda�s Approved Used dealers can offer virtually the same new car owning experience with used vehicles of all makes up to five years old. Cars sold under the programme are subject to a 74-point inspection, as approved by the AA; in addition each car�s history is checked to verify mileage and ensure that there is no outstanding hire purchase agreement. Each car is offered with a one year (or more) unlimited mileage �all components� mechanical breakdown insurance cover. In addition, newer Honda models sold under the programme will have the balance of the manufacturer�s two or three year warranty remaining.

Recent revisions to the programme include the adoption of AA breakdown cover, including onward travel costs if the worst happens, as well as the provision of an improved exchange plan offering a 30-day �no quibble� exchange in lieu of the previous 14 day plan. According to What Car? �s Good Used Car Dealer Guide, October 99, these enhancements have transformed Honda�s scheme into one of the best on offer. "A better vehicle exchange promise, roadside assistance cover, and independent dealer auditing have earned it (the Honda Approved Used programme) a �Highly Commended� award in our 1999 survey," says the magazine�s editor, Julian Rendell.

Homely HR-V
The London Motor Show marks the appearance of a unique experimental Honda HR-V - one specifically designed to keep �road rage� at bay. Produced in collaboration with the internationally renowned interior designer Kelly Hoppen, the show car exploits domestic design ideas in an automotive context. It aims to show that by creating harmony and balance within a car�s interior, drivers should be better able to cope with increased tension on the road.

The work is Ms Hoppen�s first venture into car interior design, and Honda�s �joy machine� was a natural choice for such a radical project. Already the company had identified that professional women were one of the fastest growing segments of their target market for the vehicle, while the unique style and concept of the vehicle made it a specially suitable candidate.

Honda will use the special HR-V to gauge reaction. And who knows - if it is favourable, the Kelly Hoppen-designed HR-V interior could be the blueprint for future Honda cars...

New Accord - straight in at number one for residuals
The new Accord performs well on the road, but it�s an even better performer in the car price guides. The first of the new breed Swindon-builtsaloons are now just one year old, but according to Glass�s Guide most individual models command a trade value of around 80 percent of theiroriginal list price - with retail values approaching 90%.

"Traditionally Hondas hold their price very well because of their excellent quality and reliability - which makes them a popular choice with used car buyers," says Glass� s Guide�s Senior Car Editor Jeff Paterson. "The exceptionally strong residuals of the Accord is testimony to this, coupled with the novelty value and relative scarcity of the new-shape model. Depreciation is the biggest single cost associated with running a new car, and it�s also a fact that depreciation is most severe during the first year of ownership. So the Accord�s proven low depreciation is an important contribution towards the model�s highly competitive whole life costs," he adds.

250,000th HUM Accord
The quarter millionth British-built Honda Accord rolls off the HUM (Honda of the UK Manufacturing) line this month. The Accord was the first Honda to be built at the Swindon plant, with production commencing October 1992. Some 180,000 of the first �Euro� Accords were built up until 1998, with numbers of the current model (a European derivative of the 6th generation Accord) currently heading for 70,000. Approximately 70% of the cars have been exported to mainland Europe.

Worldwide cumulative production of the Accord stands at around 11 million, and the model is built in four distinct versions to suit European,American, Asian and Japanese markets.

Perfect 10 - Wiltshire Police Honda Civics
Contributing to the recent increase in popularity of Hondas with Britain�s emergency services, the Wiltshire Police have recently released 10 special Police model Honda Civic 5-door models to work around the county.

Steve Botham, the Wiltshire Constabulary Fleet and Services Manager said, "The Force has been working very closely with Honda to produce a Police specification Civic for general duties. The purchase also firmly shows the commitment of the force for the local community and industry."

The Wiltshire Police force already operates over 25 Hondas of different types, including motorcycles and generators. For the year to date, Honda has supplied vehicles to more than 20 of Britain�s Police and Ambulance services. This number includes several Civic VTi and Accord Type-R models used for covert applications!

Honda One
It�s the latest product from Honda, a new way for people to buy and run a car. Honda One offers all the benefits and convenience of a company car for the private motorist. Finance, servicing, maintenance, insurance and road tax costs are all covered by an initial deposit and monthly payments - leaving the motorist with just fuel to put in.

Honda One allows Honda customers to accurately budget motoring costs, since the monthly payments are fixed and everything is covered except fuel. This avoids the unexpected large bills that private motorists often experience, considerably easing the financial pain of running a car.

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