With one of the most fuel-efficient vehicle lineups in the industry, nearly every new Honda model will help customers qualify for a federal "Cash for Clunkers" credit, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. Depending on the trade-in vehicle, customers will be able to choose one or more of Honda's diverse model line including the Ridgeline pickup, its most-rugged vehicle; the Accord, Honda's best-selling U.S. model; and the all-new Insight, the most-affordable hybrid in the United States.

"You don't really need a complicated chart to find a qualifying vehicle at a Honda dealer," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "We hope that this program will help consumers make the move into vehicles that are easier on both their wallets and the environment."

The federal Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009 was enacted on June 24 of this year. More commonly referred to as "Cash for Clunkers," this program is designed to stimulate vehicle sales and reduce overall fuel use by providing up to a $4,500 credit to consumers who trade in their current eligible vehicle for one that achieves greater fuel economy.

The only vehicles in the Honda lineup that will not qualify for a credit are the limited-production S2000 roadster, the Accord V6 Coupe with manual transmission and the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle (the latter is excluded by the program's five year lease requirement). Honda cars that have a combined EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 MPG or more and may be eligible for payments under this program include1:

    * 2009 Fit - All models
    * 2010 Insight - All models
    * 2009 Civic - All models
    * 2009 Accord - All models except V6 Coupe with manual transmission

Honda category 1 trucks that have a combined EPA fuel-economy rating of 18 MPG or more and may be eligible for a credit under this program include:

    * 2009 CR-V - All models
    * 2009 Element - All models
    * 2009 - 2010 Pilot - All models including 2WD and 4WD
    * 2009 - 2010 Odyssey - All models

Honda category 2 trucks that have a combined EPA fuel-economy rating of 15 MPG or more and may be eligible for a credit under this program include:

    * 2009 Ridgeline - All models

1NHTSA has not yet adopted rules for the CARS program, but is expected to do so by July 23, 2009. It is Honda's understanding, based on information currently available to it, that the purchase or lease of the listed Honda models will qualify for a credit under the program if the customer trades-in a qualified clunker.