Honda Siel launches seventh generation Honda Accord

Compaby press release, June 10, 2003

New Delhi

Honda Siel Cars India Ltd., showcasing its commitment to offer the very best of Honda to the Indian customer, today announced the launch of its All-New Seventh Generation 2003 Honda Accord. The New Accord, to be introduced in India towards the end of July 2003, exemplifies the best of Hondas innovation in luxury and technology and communicates the true spirit of unbeatable Honda.

The new car is based on a design concept inspired by the 'Cheetah', with Muscular Flanks, supported by Aggressive Sleek looks. The Accord VTi-L, equipped with several first-time features in the luxury segment of the Indian car market and a highly sophisticated 2.4 litre i-VTEC engine, is all set to redefine the meaning of automotive style, luxury and performance, in the Indian automobile industry.

Ecstatic at the India launch of the latest version of Hondas global flagship brand, the Accord, Mr. H. Yamada, President and CEO, Honda Siel Cars India Ltd., said, The New Honda Accord has been developed with years of intensive Honda R&D and sets new standards of automotive excellence for the Indian car market. We decided to bring in the latest Accord to India when the existing Accord has already established itself as a trusted brand in the country and also contributed in strengthening our image. We would also be introducing the mighty Accord V6 in a 3.0 litre trim, early next year. Considering the success met by the New Accord in the international markets, we are confident that the 2003 Accord and Accord V6 would further strengthen our bond with the Indian customers as well."

Discussing the companys overall strategy for India, Mr. Yamada said, The year 2003 would exemplify Hondas undisputed leadership in technology and innovation, with the introduction of products with highly advanced technology and incredible luxury. The announcement of CR-V launch last month and the all-new Accord now, demonstrates the strategy. Our new corporate campaign, What a Honda! is also based on the same platform.

The 2003 Honda Accord would be offered in four mesmerizing colours, through 39 exclusive Honda outlets across the country. To be available in both manual and automatic versions, the All-New Seventh Generation Accord, will replace the Sixth Generation Honda Accord, launched in the country in July 2001.

Energetic and Refined Styling:

The new Honda Accord enunciates energy and vigour through its refined styling. The aggressive exterior design aims at the utmost in automotive functionality.

The front styling features faceted corners and geometric sporty headlamps. The front and rear fenders and the sculpted body sides use a unique combination of straight lines and organic curves to provide a blend of muscularity and vitality. The bold front chrome grill with a pronounced H mark, elegant 15 alloy wheels (with tubeless tyres for better maneuverability), chrome pull-out door handles and sporty and aerodynamic side rear-view mirrors enhance the styling further. The windshield wipers, which result in reduced wind noise and sweep greater windshield area, also come with a new design and have been concealed under the hood.

The broad rear bumper and the perfectly chiseled trunk lid provide an equally sporty and aggressive look in the rear. The wraparound jewel like tail-lamps and chrome rear garnish add to the sporty aesthetics of the car.

A New Benchmark in Luxury:

The New Honda Accord comes with highly sumptuous features, offering its passengers - front as well as rear - an extremely lavish and luxurious experience. The car is set to establish new standards and benchmarks in automotive luxury in the Indian automobile industry.

The 2003 Accord comes with new dual-tone interiors, in shades of light ivory and black, which provide an expensive look to the car. The extra touch of premium wood grain style inspired by light Mapa Burl veneer at select places, further enhances the luxurious ambience of the interiors.

The unique dual-zone climate control system allows individual temperature setting for the front passengers. The large self-illuminating LED instruments are easy to read and rich in looks and are the first-of-its-kind in a car in Accords price segment, in India. The LED instrument panel takes refinement in luxury cars to a completely new level.

The new Accord is equipped with state-of-the-art Lazy Locking System, which helps in closing all the four windows of the car simultaneously. The new multi-functional key of the car has a built-in remote for locking and unlocking the doors and even for opening the trunk lid.

The state-of-the-art in-dash 6-CD changer with tuner and 6 speaker systems, with increased bass power and clarity, offer the most scintillating surround sound experience to the passengers.

In order to enhance the overall luxurious experience of the new Accord, the doors of the car have been specially designed to close with minimal noise and a graceful sound, ideal for a world-class global sedan.

Comfort and Convenience:

The new Accord has been thoughtfully refined and improved to offer increased comfort and convenience to its passengers.

The Accords genuine leather front and rear seats have a new cushion design, which not only reduces driver fatigue on long trips, but also helps in posture-perfect healthy seating for all passengers. The double-wishbone front suspension, has been further improved from the earlier Accord, to impart a more sophisticated overall character to the car.

With the help of the most advanced NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) controlling measures, superior suspension design and aerodynamics, the new 2003 Accord boasts of one of the quietest passenger cabins in a car of its class.

Other features such as a novel gliding glove box design and sliding adjustable armrest exemplify the detailed thought, which has gone in designing even the most micro features of the car. The new leather wrapped steering wheel, which now telescopes 40 mm while retaining its previous tilt feature, makes Accord the fun-to-drive standout in its class. Control buttons including those for the audio system, are ergonomically located on the steering wheel, for ease of control. For greater convenience, the power windows can be operated even after the key has been taken out of the ignition key. Other new and unique convenience features in the new Accord include a headlamp adjuster, headlamps with auto-off function, front CD storage with lid, newly designed front and rear glass holders, a wider sunglass holder, interior lighting and retractable assist grips for all passengers, among others.

The Power of Engineering Excellence:

The 2.4 litre powerhouse of the new Honda Accord incorporates several advanced technological features, highlighted by the adoption of Hondas latest i-VTEC (intelligent) Valve Control System (evolved from VTEC). i-VTEC adds a new element to the mix in the form of VTC (Variable Timing Control), which provides for continuously variable phasing of the intake camshaft. The formidable pairing of the VTEC and VTC results in significant improvements in drivability, increased horsepower and torque at lower RPMs, enhanced fuel efficiency and considerably lower emissions.

The new 5-speed manual transmission in the 2003 Accord results is significantly smoother, quieter and lighter operation. The automatic transmission variant is also equipped with a new 5-speed automatic transmission featuring Hondas exclusive Grade Logic control for minimum shift shocks and enhanced performance.

A key contributor to Accords new ride and handling balance is its front double-wishbone suspension, which has evolved from the previous Accord. The front suspension geometry has been reworked to impart a more sophisticated overall character, enhancing body control under acceleration/ deceleration, high and low cornering loads and in transient maneuvers as well as improving stability in cornering. The subframe-mounted 5-link double wishbone rear suspension is also designed to provide superior comfort and ride, exceptional ride compliance and good space efficiency.

The new 2003 Accord has been recognized as one of the quietest sedans in its class. A host of new NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) reducing technologies, such as newly designed subframes using special rubber floating mounts; a hybrid engine mount system, acoustic roof lining made of layered material, double door seals and hood insulator among others, contribute to a highly serene driving experience.

Epitome of Safety:

Keeping in line with Hondas constant efforts to manufacture increasingly safe vehicles, the 2003 Accord is targeted to achieve a '5 star rating (better than the best rating possible) in the safety crash tests conducted by the US governments National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In the highly challenging 35 mph NCAP frontal collision as well, a Five star rating is expected. Safety features including dual-stage smart SRS airbags for the driver and front passenger; Anti-lock braking system; seat belt pretensioners and load limiters; the G Force control technology, which makes the interior of the car a crush-proof survival zone and dual side impact door beams for protection during side collisions and roll-over.

The Global Winner:

The Honda Accord is credited with numerous international automobile awards and has been routinely named among the top performers in various car rankings. To name a few, Accord was declared as the "Car of the Year" by Motor Fan Magazine, within the first year of its introduction in 1976. In December 1985, the Accord was named '1985 - 86 Japan Car of the Year'. In 1989 again, it was named the best selling passenger car in the US, the title it retained for three consecutive years. In the same year, the car also won the 'Golden Steering Award', presented by Bildam Sontag of Germany. In 1993, the fifth generation Accord won 'Product of the Year' and '1993 Best of What's New' titles in the automobile category of Fortune and Popular Science Magazine respectively. It was again voted 'Japanese Car of the Year' in 1993 - 94. In 1994, Accord was declared as one of the '10 best cars' by Car and Driver magazine of the US. In 2003, for the record seventeenth time, the car made achieved the distinction. It also won the 'Japanese Car of the Year' award for 2002-03 for the third time.

Since it's introduction, more than 12 Million units of Accord have been sold in over 130 countries. Today, the car is produced in several countries - Japan, the United States, the UK, Taiwan, Mexico, and six other countries. In ASEAN, the Accord has amongst the highest market shares in its segment.

About Honda Siel Cars India Ltd. (HSCI):

HSCI was established in December 1995, with Honda Motor Co., (Japan) and Siel Ltd. (India) being the key promoters. The company figures among the top players in the Indian premium and luxury car market. HSCI started commercial production in December 1997 with an indigenisation level of over 50%, which has been raised progressively and is currently over 72%.

Honda Siel introduced the Honda City car, an extremely successful engineering marvel, in India in December 1997 and the New Honda City in November 1999. In August 2000, Honda Siel added to the line-up by introducing the Honda City VTEC. The internationally successful Honda Accord, was launched in July 2001.

The recent launch of Honda CR-V has further expanded the company's product range in India and marked its entry into a new segment.

For further information, please contact:

Sheetal Sadhu/Karuna Monga

Corporate Voice Weber Shandwick

Tel : 011-26936 834/5;

Fax : 011-26936836

E-mail: sheetal@corvoshandwick.co.in

karuna@corvoshandwick.co.in