Honda CR-V, Best-Selling Small Sport Utility, Also Tops Customer Satisfaction in Three Surveys 1999 HONDA CR-V EX 4WD 1999 Honda CR-V EX 4WD - front three-quarter view. (PR NewsFoto)[PH] Torrance, CA USA 10/23/1998

25 May 1999

         - New Odyssey Minivan Wins Class in Strategic Vision Study -

    TORRANCE, Calif., May 25 -- The Honda CR-V, America's
best-selling compact sport utility vehicle, has bested its class in the J.D.
Power and Associates 1999 Initial Quality Survey (IQS2) for the second year in
a row and ranked first in its class in AutoPacific's 1999 Pure Product
Satisfaction survey and Vehicle Satisfaction Score.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990413/99CRVEX )
    In addition, the all-new for 1999 Honda Odyssey minivan ranked first in
Strategic Vision's Total Quality Index.
    The J.D. Power and Associates IQS2 study surveys the number of problems
new-vehicle buyers experience in the first three months of ownership.  The
surveys conducted by Southern California industry consultant AutoPacific
measure owners' satisfaction with vehicle quality as well as overall features,
cost and the buying experience.  Strategic Vision, based in San Diego, surveys
satisfaction with both vehicle quality and the ownership experience.
    "Consumers have endorsed the Honda CR-V by making it the best-selling
sport utility vehicle in its category, and endorsed the Odyssey with a
threefold increase in sales for the new model," said Dick Colliver, executive
vice president, Honda sales and marketing.  "The results of these consumer
satisfaction surveys have confirmed their decision."
    Introduced in 1997, the sporty CR-V quickly became the leading compact
SUV.  Offered in both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations, the
CR-V has one of the largest interiors in its class.  In 1998, more than
100,000 CR-Vs were sold, representing 25 percent of the market segment.
    All new for 1999, the Odyssey is the largest Honda ever, with the most
powerful engine in the minivan class.  Automobile Magazine named the Odyssey
as Best Minivan in its 1999 All Stars lineup.
    The J.D. Power and Associates survey also rates assembly plants around the
world based on the initial quality of the vehicles they produce for sale in
the U.S.  Honda's Sayama, Japan plant earned a silver award based on the Honda
Accord and Prelude and Acura RL built for the U.S. market.