HONDA ACCORD EARNS HIGHEST SAFETY RATING

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The profile of one of the most popular sedans ever made has continued to rise in various markets across the world , including Nigeria, The United States, the UK, and many others. When 'End of Discussion' {(Accord's sobriquet in the Nigerian market) is not leaving its Japanese and German competitors behind in terms of engine performance, comfort and safety, it is earning one five-star crash test rating or another - in different markets.

And this is why the Accord ranks high among the most garlanded cars in history. The latest in the car's string of achievements is a superlative performance at recent crash tests in the US. During the exercise, the Accord received the best possible safety rating among passenger cars tested for crashes under new U.S. evaluation standards, edging ahead of its 'equals'. The mid-size Accord, Honda's top-selling U.S. model, got an overall five-star rating, according to results posted on the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website.

Of 40 models tested so far, six rated five stars overall. The Accord is the first to get five stars in each of three crash categories tested by NHTSA. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said last month that the ratings are aimed at boosting overall safety and ensuring the results more accurately reflect the crashworthiness of new cars and light trucks. Changes include the use of female crash- test dummies for the first time, along with male versions, to collect data about injuries to the chest, head, neck and legs.

The Accord sedan received five stars on side and frontal crashes and rollovers, according to NHTSA. Hyundai's Sonata, with an overall five-star rating, scored the top score on side-crashes and rollovers and four stars in frontal crashes, NHTSA said last month. The agency continues to test cars and trucks and is adding the results as they are complete.

This certainly a good piece of news for the lovers of 'Beyond Discussion' (another of Accord's many nicknames in Nigeria, where the Japanese brand is sold and serviced by The Honda Place, a division of Stallion Motors. To The Honda Place Director (Sales and Marketing), Mr Deepak Daryanani, the five-star safety rating confirms Accord as the most reliable car in its segment.

Only last week, Honda was named Britain's most reliable car manufacturer by the influential FN50 survey, further strengthening Honda's reputation for bullet-proof reliability. Honda beat off rivals to the top spot in the annual survey which is published by industry leading publication Fleet News. The report covers 1.5 million vehicles owned or managed by the country's 50 largest contract hire companies.

Honda also featured highly in the top ten most reliable cars with the Accord and British-built Civic in second and ninth place respectively. Graham Avent, Manager – Corporate Operations at Honda (UK), commented: 'Winning the FN50 most reliable manufacturer accolade is a huge boost for Honda in the Corporate market. What makes it so important is the survey size – it's great to know that out of over one million drivers, the Honda brand comes out on top.

We always score well in consumer surveys thanks to the phenomenal reliability and quality of our product range – but to get this recognition from the company car drivers themselves means the world to our Corporate team and our Corporate dealer network. 'The Civic's top 10 placing is also a great endorsement for our plant in Swindon that makes 85 per cent of the cars we sell in the UK. Honda has proven that British manufacturing continues to produce class-leading product for the fleet market.'

Over the years, Honda has continually been ranked highly in customer reliability surveys such as the JD Power Survey.