Thanks to "Ricjason" for sending us this information.
Honda Civic Wins Japan Car of the Year 20 November 2000
TOKYO - The new Honda Civic has won the 2000-2001 Japan Car of the Year award.
It is the fourth win for the Civic in the award, which is chosen by a panel of 54 leading Japanese motoring journalists and industry commentators.
The Civic range, comprising the Civic Sedan, Civic Hatch and the Civic-based
Stream small people mover scored 475 points, well ahead of its nearest rival, the new Lexus LS430 (325 points).
The Civic scored almost three times as many points as the third-placed Subaru
Impreza (166 points). Another new Honda, the Odyssey, made the top 10 in the award, finishing seventh on 42 points.
The selection committee said the Civic featured engines that achieved both
excellent power performance and environmental friendliness while achieving
world-class safety standards.
Honda President and CEO Hiroyuki Yoshino said Honda was honoured the Civic
had earned the prestigious award. He said the Civic was developed to offer cleaner, environmentally friendly performance, together with advanced safety, to set a new benchmark for compact cars in the 21st century.
"We accept this award both as recognition of our development concept and new
technologies and as appreciation for the great efforts of Honda suppliers and
business affiliates who suuport our efforts," he said.
The Civic has won the Japan COTY on three previous occasions 1984, 1992 and
1996.