Honda’s own Civic GX hailed as the “greenest” car by the ACEEE

Honda’s own pride and joy, the Civic, is on a great roll lately. After impressing the worldwide market with its great styling and astounding performance, the Honda Civic has just added another leaf to its hat.

The hybrid version called the Honda Civic GX, which runs on natural gas, clinched the top spot on ACEEE”s list for the greenest vehicles this 2008. The American Council for Energy Efficient Economy awarded this distinction to the Honda Civic, beating other more popular hybrids in the market today. Along with the Civic GX, Honda also has four vehicles that made the list. These Honda vehicles include the Civic that runs on gasoline, Civic Hybrid and the Fit. This is the fifth year running the Honda Civic GX has won the award for greenest vehicle bestowed by the ACEE. At the same time, this is also the eight consecutive year in a row that a vehicle made by Honda reached the top spot and the seventh year that Honda vehicles have entered the top 12.

"The ACEEE awards speak to the commitment Honda has made to lead the industry in lowering emissions, increasing fuel efficiency and reducing dependence on oil," said John Mendel, Honda’s executive vice president for its American branch.

"Honda continues to set the standard for socially and environmentally-responsible automotive products and our commitment to alternative fuels will further expand with the zero emissions FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle coming to market this summer." Mendel added.

The ACEEE uses a method to measure the fuel-economy of the vehicle and its effect and impact to the environment. Using this method, they analyze and conclude which cars may be included in the list. The end result is the top 12 vehicles that topped their standards for being the friendliest to our environment. Along with the 12 “greenest” vehicles for the year, ACEEE also bestows the top 12 “meanest” cars that are detrimental to the environment.

First introduced in 1998, the Honda Civic GX boasts of a clean internal combustion procedure in its engine which is certified by the EPA. The exhaust from the Civic GX is 90% cleaner than most gasoline-powered vehicles in the market today.

Honda Selling The Civic Like Hot Pancakes In Europe

Honda has just delivered the knock-out punch to its competitors across the European Continent with an increase in their sales for 2007. Leading the surge in their sales is two of their best-selling models, the Civic and the CR-V.

For 2007, Honda posted a huge increase in the sales of the Civic, selling 160, 082 units, while their other best-seller, the CR-V, also fared well with 90, 562 units being sold all over Europe. This marks a 41.7% rise in the sales of the Civic and a 72.7% for the CR-V all over Europe.

Sales of the Civic Hybrid has been positive with sales reaching up 10, 515 units or a 206.6% rise for 2007. This marks an all-time sales record for Honda.

Honda is now on their 4^th consecutive year of topping the annual sales in Europe and is also on their 6^th year of holding the annual sales increase in the same region.

Sweden leads the pack of European countries in which Honda has achieved a surge in their sales with 60%. Norway comes in second with an increase of 55%. France, Greece and Poland follow them with an increase above 30%. Rounding off the countries who have posted an increase in their year-on-year sales in excess of 20% are Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark.

"We are very pleased to see that such a large number of European customers have chosen Honda products," said Shigeru Takagi, President of Honda Motor Europe Ltd.

Honda Is now looking to further the lead by a mile as it plans to release the new Accord this summer. They are also planning to release another best-seller, the 2^nd generation Jazz, during the latter half of the year.