Honda Fuel Cell Vehicle Serves as Official L.A. Marathon Pace Car

               Vehicle Is Fueled By Hydrogen, Exhaust Is Water

    TORRANCE, Calif., March 2 Honda's FCX-V3 fuel cell
vehicle, the latest in a long line of Honda's environmentally friendly
vehicles, will serve as an official pace car for the 26.2-mile, March 4
L.A. Marathon.  The pace car, complete with L.A. Marathon logos, will lead the
estimated 23,000 Marathon runners.

    "Honda is proud to have its FCX-V3 Fuel Cell Vehicle lead the L.A.
Marathon as an official pace car," stated Tom Elliott, executive vice
president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.  "The FCX-V3 will be the first
fuel cell vehicle to serve as an L.A. Marathon pace car.  It reinforces
Honda's commitment to protecting the environment by building products that
pollute less, use less gasoline and that people want to use and enjoy."

    Honda has pursued development of low-emission vehicles and the use of
alternative fuels to reduce the impact automobiles have on the environment.
In model year 2001, more than 88% of all Honda vehicles will be Low Emission
Vehicle (LEV) rated or cleaner.

    The Honda FCX-V3 uses a pure hydrogen fuel cell system with a compact
electric drive motor and seating for four people.  Combined with a Honda
developed ultra capacitor, it provides excellent response and high efficiency.
Realizing the ultimate environmental performance of zero emissions, zero CO2
and the use of a renewable fuel, Honda's FCX-V3 also approaches the packaging
and ease-of-use of gasoline powered vehicles.

    The vehicle features improved start-up and quieter operation than previous
fuel cell models for improved viability as a commercial product.  A fuel cell
stack is used in the FCX-V3 to store hydrogen under high pressure and create
electricity, which in turn drives the electric motor and the wheels.