Honda research

Honda history in America: from the 1973 Civic to today's hybrids and EVs

By CarWhere Research · Updated

American Honda opened in Los Angeles on June 11, 1959, selling motorcycles. The Civic reached the US in early 1973, the Accord followed in 1976, and on November 1, 1982 Honda became the first Japanese automaker to build cars in America, starting Accord production in Marysville, Ohio. The 1999 Insight was America's first mass-produced hybrid.

Honda history timeline

Milestones link to a full history page with years and production numbers, key variants, what changed and what to check before you buy one.

  1. 1959

    American Honda opens in Los Angeles

    American Honda Motor Co. was established on June 11, 1959, in a small Los Angeles storefront. Honda entered the US market with the step-through Honda 50 motorcycle.[1]

  2. 1972–1973

    The Civic arrives

    Honda introduced the Civic in Japan in July 1972 as a front-drive hatchback with a transverse 1,200 cc engine. It went on sale in the US in early 1973 and became Honda's longest-running nameplate.[2],[3]

    Honda Civic history history →

  3. 1975

    CVCC meets the Clean Air Act

    The Civic's CVCC engine, offered in 1975 US models, was the first to meet US emissions standards without a catalytic converter. In 1977 the Civic topped the EPA's first list of America's most fuel-efficient cars.[1],[2],[4]

    Honda Civic history history →

  4. 1976

    The Accord launches

    The Accord launched in Japan in May 1976 and was exported to the US the same month as a three-door hatchback with a 1,600 cc engine. Honda sold 18,643 in the US that year and 120,841 in 1978.[5]

    Honda Accord history history →

  5. 1979

    US manufacturing begins

    Honda started US manufacturing with motorcycle production in Marysville, Ohio.[1]

  6. 1982

    First Japanese automaker to build cars in America

    Accord production started at the Marysville Auto Plant on November 1, 1982. The first car built there was a 1983 Accord sedan, Honda's first US-built car.[1],[5],[6]

    Honda Accord history history →

  7. 1986

    Civic production in Ohio and the first Si

    Honda began building the Civic in Marysville in 1986, and the Civic Si was introduced for the 1986 model year. Honda also launched Acura that year as the first luxury nameplate from a Japanese automaker.[1],[2],[7],[8]

    Honda performance car history history →

  8. 1990

    Accord's US sales peak

    Accord US sales peaked at 417,179 units in 1990, according to Honda's own history of the model.[5]

    Honda Accord history history →

  9. 1994–1997

    Honda's first light trucks

    The Passport SUV appears in EPA listings from the 1994 model year, the Odyssey minivan from 1995 and the CR-V from 1997. Honda later called the CR-V America's best-selling crossover since 1997.[9],[10],[11],[12],[13]

    Honda SUVs, minivan and pickup history history →

  10. 1999

    Insight, America's first mass-produced hybrid

    The first-generation Insight went on sale in December 1999 as the first mass-production hybrid sold in the US. Its original EPA rating was 61 mpg city and 70 mpg highway.[1],[4],[14]

    Honda hybrids and electrified vehicles history history →

  11. 2002

    Fuel cell certification and the Element

    Honda's FCX became the first government-certified fuel cell vehicle. In December 2002 the boxy Element went on sale, built in East Liberty, Ohio.[1],[15],[16]

    Honda hybrids and electrified vehicles history history →

  12. 2003

    Pilot and the Civic Hybrid

    The Pilot debuted as the first three-row mainstream SUV on a car-like unit-body platform. The Civic Hybrid reached the US as a 2003 model.[4],[14],[17]

    Honda SUVs, minivan and pickup history history →

  13. 2005

    Ridgeline pickup

    Honda introduced the unibody Ridgeline in March 2005 as a 2006 model, with an In-Bed Trunk and a 5,000-lb tow rating.[18]

    Honda SUVs, minivan and pickup history history →

  14. 2017

    Civic Type R comes to America

    The first Type R-badged Honda sold in the US went on sale on June 15, 2017, with a 306-hp 2.0-liter turbo and a 6-speed manual.[19]

    Honda performance car history history →

  15. 2022

    Civic at 50; 40 years of US production

    The 11th-generation Civic arrived for 2022. Honda marked 40 years of building cars in America on November 1, 2022, by which point it had built more than 12.5 million Accords in Ohio.[2],[6]

    Honda Civic history history →

  16. 2024

    Prologue, Honda's first volume EV

    The Prologue SUV, which Honda called its first volume battery-electric vehicle, went on sale in 2024 with an 85-kWh battery.[2],[14],[20]

    Honda hybrids and electrified vehicles history history →

  17. 2025–2026

    Fuel cell CR-V and a hybrid Prelude

    The CR-V e:FCEV fuel cell model appears in EPA listings from 2025, offered for lease only. For 2026 the Prelude name returned as a 2.0-liter hybrid coupe, and Honda said the Civic Si would pause after the 2026 model year.[8],[21],[22],[23]

    Honda performance car history history →

Honda firsts in America

Milestones Honda describes as firsts (Honda News; global.honda)[1],[2],[12],[14],[17],[18],[19]
YearModel or eventWhat Honda says it was first at
1975Civic CVCCFirst engine to meet US emissions standards without a catalytic converter
1982Marysville, Ohio AccordFirst Japanese automaker to build cars in America
1986AcuraFirst luxury nameplate from a Japanese automaker
1999InsightFirst mass-production hybrid sold in the US
2002FCXFirst government-certified fuel cell vehicle
2003PilotFirst three-row mainstream SUV on a car-like unit-body platform
2006RidgelineFirst high-volume secure In-Bed Trunk in a pickup
2017Civic Type RFirst Type R-badged Honda sold in the US
2018Odyssey 10-speed automaticFirst 10-speed automatic of its kind for a front-wheel-drive vehicle
2024PrologueHonda's first volume battery-electric vehicle

When each nameplate was sold in the US

US model years by nameplate. Civic and Accord start years from Honda; all others from EPA fuel-economy listings, which begin with the 1984 model year[2],[5],[9],[10],[11],[21],[24],[25],[26],[27],[28],[29],[30],[31],[32],[33],[34],[35],[36],[37],[38],[39],[40],[41],[42],[43],[44],[45],[46],[47],[48],[49]
NameplateUS model yearsListed for 2026
Civic1973–presentYes
Accord1976–presentYes
PreludeListed 1984–2001 (earlier years predate EPA's online records); returned 2026Yes
Passport1994–2002; 2019–presentYes
Odyssey1995–presentYes
CR-V1997–presentYes
EV Plus1998–1999No
Insight2000–2006; 2010–2014; 2019–2022No (last 2022)
S20002000–2009No (last 2009)
Element2003–2011No (last 2011)
Pilot2003–presentYes
Ridgeline2006–2014; 2017–presentYes
Fit2007–2020No (last 2020)
Crosstour2010–2015No (last 2015)
CR-Z2011–2016No (last 2016)
HR-V2016–presentYes
Clarity2017–2021No (last 2021)
Prologue2024–presentYes
CR-V e:FCEV2025–presentYes

Every Honda model history

Cars

SUVs, minivan and pickup

Hybrids and electrified

Performance

How to check a Honda's factory build

Standardized 17-character VINs began with model year 1981[50]. For a 1981-or-later Honda, CarWhere can check a VIN for licensed factory build data and, when it exists, list the equipment the vehicle was built with in plain English: see the Honda build sheet by VIN. Coverage varies by VIN and model year. Earlier vehicles are identified by their original serial number, vehicle data plate and engine stampings instead.

Frequently asked questions

When did Honda start selling cars in the US?

American Honda was founded in Los Angeles on June 11, 1959, and sold motorcycles first. The Civic, introduced in Japan in July 1972, went on sale in the US in early 1973 and paved the way for Honda's entry into the US car market.

What role did Soichiro Honda play in the Civic and Accord?

Honda's heritage histories show him weighing in directly. He first resisted the Civic's strut independent suspension before approving it, and speed-sensitive power steering was added to the first Accord after he remarked that its steering felt heavy.

When did Honda start building cars in America?

On November 1, 1982, when Accord production began at the Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio. Honda says that made it the first Japanese automaker to build cars in America. Motorcycle production had started in Marysville in 1979.

What was Honda's first hybrid?

The Insight, which went on sale in the US in December 1999 as the first mass-production hybrid sold in America. It used a 1.0-liter engine and a lightweight aluminum body, and Honda's original EPA rating was 61 mpg city and 70 mpg highway.

What is Honda's longest-running model?

The Civic. It launched in July 1972, reached the US in early 1973 and by 2026 had passed 13 million US sales, according to Honda.

Is Acura part of Honda?

Yes. Honda created Acura in 1986 as the first luxury nameplate from a Japanese automaker. This history covers Honda-brand models; the NSX, for example, was sold in the US under the Acura name.

More Honda research

Sources

Production figures, dates and ratings come from Honda AG and Honda of America press and heritage materials, official race results and reputable automotive press wherever available. References marked secondary are encyclopedic or enthusiast sources used only where a primary figure was not available. Market medians are CarWhere's own analysis of live US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers.

  1. Honda Commemorates 50 Years of Innovation in America (June 2009) — Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (global.honda newsroom)
  2. Honda Celebrates 50 Years of the Fun, Efficient, Iconic and Best-selling Civic (July 18, 2022) — American Honda Motor Co. (Honda News)
  3. Announcing the Civic (Honda heritage episode) — Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (global.honda)
  4. 2010 Honda Insight Overview (January 2009) — American Honda Motor Co. (Honda News)
  5. The Accord (Honda heritage episode) — Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (global.honda)
  6. All-New 2023 Honda Accord Arriving at Honda Dealers This Month (January 4, 2023) — American Honda Motor Co. (Honda News)
  7. 2016 Honda Civic Sedan Press Kit — Civic History (October 18, 2015) — American Honda Motor Co. (Honda News)
  8. Honda Civic Si Production to Pause at the Conclusion of the 2026 Model Year (July 23, 2026) — American Honda Motor Co. (Honda News)
  9. Fuel economy model list: 1994 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  10. Fuel economy model list: 1995 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  11. Fuel economy model list: 1997 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  12. 2018 Honda Odyssey Press Kit — Overview (May 15, 2017) — American Honda Motor Co. (Honda News)
  13. All-New 2023 Honda CR-V Begins to Arrive This Month (September 13, 2022) — American Honda Motor Co. (Honda News)
  14. Honda Marks 25 Years of Hybrid-Electric Sales (December 12, 2024) — American Honda Motor Co. (Honda News)
  15. 2003 Honda Element Delivers Ultimate Utility and Value (August 17, 2002) — American Honda Motor Co. (Honda News)
  16. 2011 Will Be Final Model Year of Production for Honda Element (December 3, 2010) — American Honda Motor Co. (Honda News)
  17. All-New 2016 Honda Pilot (June 17, 2015) — American Honda Motor Co. (Honda News)
  18. 2006 Honda Ridgeline Overview (February 1, 2005) — American Honda Motor Co. (Honda News)
  19. First-Ever Civic Type R for America Goes on Sale Tomorrow (June 14, 2017) — American Honda Motor Co. (Honda News)
  20. 2024 Honda Prologue Specifications & Features (February 22, 2024) — American Honda Motor Co. (Honda News)
  21. Fuel economy model list: 2025 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  22. 2026 Honda CR-V e:FCEV Pricing and EPA Ratings (December 2, 2025) — American Honda Motor Co. (Honda News)
  23. Fuel economy record: 2026 Honda Prelude (hybrid, 2.0 L) — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  24. Fuel economy model list: 1984 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  25. Fuel economy model list: 1993 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  26. Fuel economy model list: 1996 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  27. Fuel economy model list: 1998 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  28. Fuel economy model list: 1999 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  29. Fuel economy model list: 2000 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  30. Fuel economy model list: 2001 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  31. Fuel economy model list: 2002 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  32. Fuel economy model list: 2003 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  33. Fuel economy model list: 2006 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  34. Fuel economy model list: 2007 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  35. Fuel economy model list: 2009 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  36. Fuel economy model list: 2010 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  37. Fuel economy model list: 2011 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  38. Fuel economy model list: 2014 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  39. Fuel economy model list: 2015 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  40. Fuel economy model list: 2016 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  41. Fuel economy model list: 2017 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  42. Fuel economy model list: 2018 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  43. Fuel economy model list: 2019 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  44. Fuel economy model list: 2020 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  45. Fuel economy model list: 2021 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  46. Fuel economy model list: 2022 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  47. Fuel economy model list: 2023 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  48. Fuel economy model list: 2024 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  49. Fuel economy model list: 2026 Honda — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  50. 49 CFR Part 565 — Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) requirements — eCFR (U.S. Government)

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere Research — not affiliated with or endorsed by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. or American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Honda, Type R and the model names are trademarks of their owners.