HONDA ACCORD EARNS FIVE-STAR RATING FROM NHTSA

TORRANCE, Calif., March 20 - The Honda Accord has earned the government's highest possible rating for occupant protection in frontal collisions in tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

NHTSA's NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) tests are based on a frontal impact collision at 35 mph and a five-star rating, NHTSA's maximum, indicates the best protection. According to crash test statistics compiled by NHTSA, vehicles are twice as likely to be involved in severe frontal crashes than in severe side crashes.

In the area of passenger safety, all-new 2001 model Accords now employ advanced dual-stage, dual threshold passenger front airbags. These airbags are standard on all models and adjust deployment based on the severity of the crash and whether the driver and passengers are wearing seat belts.

"Earning a five-star NHTSA crash test rating was one of the key development targets for the 2001 Honda Accord," said Tom Elliott, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "World-class safety was an important consideration in engineering the '01 Accord."

In addition to the five-star rating for frontal impact, the Accord also earned a five-star Rollover Resistance Rating. The Rollover Resistance Rating measures vehicle characteristics of center of gravity and track width to determine how "top-heavy" a vehicle is.

The Accord, Honda's number one selling vehicle, is also available with advanced side airbags on all models that are also standard equipment on all V6 and EX models. This advanced system prevents the passenger side airbag from deploying if a small child is leaning into the airbag deployment path. In addition, all new Accords feature the LATCH (Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children) child seat tether system and an illuminated anti-entrapment trunk release.