Editorial note: This is the fourth time in the past 5 years that Honda have won Japan Car of the Year Award. With the Civic/Stream wining in 2000, the Jazz in 2001, the Accord in 2002, and now the Legend in 2004. In 2003 the winner was the Subaru Legacy.

TOKYO, Japan, November 11, 2004 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced that the new Legend has won the Japan Car of the Year Award for 2004-2005 and Most Advanced Technology Award conferred by the Japan Car of the Year Executive Committee.

The new 4th generation flagship luxury performance sedan with a 300-horsepower engine features the world’s first Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system (SH-AWD), recipient of the Most Advanced Technology Award, and comprehensive weight reduction measures that combine to help contribute to significantly enhanced performance. The new Legend also offers a range of advanced driver support technologies, including the world’s first Intelligent Night Vision System*, which detects pedestrians during nighttime driving and provides visual and audio cautions to help prevent accidents. Designed around three key concepts – distinctive styling, exhilarating driving performance, and superior maneuverability – the Legend delivers a new driving experience, providing greater luxury, comfort and safety in all driving conditions. In the roughly one month period since it went on sale in Japan on October 7th, over 2,200 customer orders have been received for the new Legend.

“We are extremely honored that the new Legend was selected for the Japan Car of the Year Award 2004-2005 and Most Advanced Technology Award from among a big field including both domestic and import cars,” said Honda’s President and CEO, Takeo Fukui. “We see this award as recognition of the efforts of our suppliers, development and production teams and the many people who have lent their dedicated support to us in the development of the Legend. In the development of future models, we will even further strengthen the new “Driving Pleasure” concept that we have proposed in the Legend.”

* Factory option. Production of vehicles equipped with the Intelligent Night Vision System (with pedestrian detection function) is scheduled to begin December 2004.

See also the following videos and press release for more details:

Technology Overview: SH-AWD (HDTV Video)
    http://world.honda.com/HDTV/news/2004-4040401a/

Technology Overview: Intelligent Night Vision System (HDTV Video)
    http://world.honda.com/HDTV/IntelligentNightVision/200408/

Press Release: Honda Introduces the All-New Legend
    http://world.honda.com/news/2004/4041007.html