Press Release
1970s
July ‘72
First Honda Civic with arrives, a 2 door economic passenger car, incorporating the comprehensive strengths of Honda. The car remains unchanged for seven years.
The Civic, equipped with its new Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion (CVCC) engine – a two stage combustion engine designed to comply with the impending American emission legislation, becomes the first car in the world to qualify under the new US Clean Air Act 1970.
3-door hatchback arrives.
1973
Honda begins selling the Civic in Europe. The Civic ranks third in Europe’s Car of the Year Awards in the same year, the highest ranking for a Japanese vehicle at the time. CVCC engine complies with Clean Air Amendments for 1975.
Dec ‘73
4-door Civic comes on the scene with a wheelbase of 228cm.
Nov ‘74
A 5-door wagon is released on the same 228cm wheelbase, however with a rigid rear axle and leaf springs instead of independent coil suspension.
Civic wins ‘Car of the Year Japan’ award for the 3rd consecutive year, firmly entrenching its name in the Japanese market.
1975
Overseas production begins in Indonesia, the eleventh country to produce the Civic. Production already takes place in North America, Europe, Asia and South America.
1976
Production at Honda's Suzuka plant reaches the magical one million mark, outstripping motorbike production.
Sep ‘77
5-door hatchback introduced
July ‘79
The second generation Civic arrives, resulting in enhanced economy, interior comfort and driving performance. In the same style as the first, it rides on a wheelbase of 225 and 232cm respectively for the 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks.
Oct ‘79
The 5-door wagon is introduced with independent rear coil suspension, as well as the rigid axle with leafs.
1980s
1980
Second generation Civic receives the US import Car of the Year Award from Motor Trend magazine.
The CVCC-II engine is developed.
1981
A 4-door version is launched – also known as the Ballade, this car is also built under licence by the Austin Rover Group and sold as a Triumph Acclaim, beginning a long relationship with the British manufacturer that will eventually see the Civic being manufactured in the UK.
1982
Civic production reaches three million units.
Sept ‘83
Generation three of the Civic is introduced: four different body styles built on one versatile platform - the Civic hatchback and saloon, the people-carrying Shuttle and the sporty CRX coupe, all based on the same running gear The concept is maximum space for people, minimum space for mechanisms.
Honda Civic CRX wins first place for gasoline car fuel consumption in US tests.
1984
Honda unveils the Civic Si, featuring a DOHC engine incorporating Formula 1 technology. It is instantly popular thanks to its innovative, long-roofed design and wins ‘Car of the Year Japan’ Award 1984.
RealTime 4WD (Civic Shuttle) first introduced.
In the US, the Civic places first in fuel efficiency tests conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency for the second consecutive year.
The so-called 'Wonder Civic' sports fresher, cleaner lines, lending it a more European feel – it represents a major change in direction of Civic's development. Honda wins the Torino-Piedmonte Car Design Award.
1985
Honda of the UK Manufacturing Ltd (HUM) is established on a 1,480,000 sqm former airfield at South Marston, Swindon.
1986
HUM commences operation as a Pre-Delivery Inspection Centre for Honda models produced by Rover and CBUs from Japan and later from the USA.
Sep ‘87
Fourth generation introduced with the same body layout as the previous generation, the wheelbase is now 250cm integrally, except for the 3-door Coupe, now called Honda CR-X on a 230 cm wheelbase. The suspension is now double wishbones, coils, front and rear, also for the 4WD. Developers emphasise exhilarating performance based on human sensitivities. Targeting higher efficiency, Honda creates its Hyper 16-valve engine in five variations, from 1,300cc to 1,500cc.
Civic production reaches 5 million units.
June ‘88
A derivative arrives – the Concerto 4-door Sedan and 5-door Hatchback, which rides on a 255cm wheelbase.
Oct ‘89
Honda unveils the Civic SiR, equipped with the new high performance DOHC VTEC engine, featuring Honda’s revolutionary variable valve timing technology.
The 5-door Hatchback is built in England as Rover 200.
1990s
Sept 1991
The fifth generation Civic is introduced – the 3-door now on a 257cm wheelbase, the 4-door on a 262cm wheelbase, the CR-X, now a 2-door Targa-Top on a 237cm wheelbase. Its most striking feature is its futuristic aerodynamic form, with its flexible interior space. The new series also heralds the arrival of the new VTEC engine variations to provide an excellent mix of driving performance and high fuel efficiency. This represents a major advancement in human and environmental friendliness, with enhanced safety features and a high proportion of recyclable components. The fifth generation Civic receives ‘Car of the Year Japan’ Awards in 1991 and 1992.
1992
Production of a second model, the Civic 5-door commences.
The electric powered folding roof (CRX) is introduced.
1995
Worldwide Civic production reaches 10 million units.
The first Swindon-built 5-doors are introduced.
Sept ‘95
Sixth generation Civic, with a three-stage VTEC engine is introduced as a 3-door Hatchback, a 4-door Sedan, and a 2-door Coupe, now all riding on the 262cm wheelbase. Honda call it the Miracle Civic – a vehicle that represents the times from a global perspective. It goes on to receive ‘Car of the Year Japan’ awards in 1995 and 1996.
1996
The 250,000th Swindon built car rolls off the production line.
CVT transmission introduced.
1997
Honda produce the first iteration of Civic to receive the “Type-R” appellation (applied first to the Integra Type-R), with the EK9-chassis Civic Type-R.
1998
The one millionth Swindon-built engine is manufactured and the 250,000th Swindon built Civic rolls off the production line.
Honda wins the CART Engine Manufacturers Championship.
1999
The 500,000th Swindon built car rolls off the production line. 10th Anniversary of Engine Plant. Honda wins the CART Engine Manufacturers Championship for second year running.
2000s
Sept ‘00
The watershed, seventh generation Civic is introduced, developed to be the “benchmark for compact cars” – now as a 5-door Hatchback and a 4-door Sedan with different bodies and the 262cm wheelbase for the Sedan and a 268cm wheelbase for the Hatchback. The dull, almost anonymous lines of the outgoing car are replaced by a completely different profile that marries everyday hatchback versatility with voluminous people-carrying capacity. It also jumps class, its increased physical dimensions pushing it into the Golf/Focus/Astra category.
2001
Honda's second British Car Plant in Swindon is completed on schedule, underlining Honda's commitment to car manufacturing in the UK and is the first 'green field' car plant to be built in Britain in the last eight years. It marks a significant milestone in the company's growth plans for Europe. The plant will initially produce the Civic 5-door but the flexibility of Honda's New Manufacturing System allows it to build other models according to market demand.
Honda Civic GX natural gas vehicle becomes first car certified as Partial Zero Emission (P-ZEV).
Official start of production in Car Plant 2 (Swindon) of Civic 5-door. The seventh generation Civic wins Car of the Year Japan award in ‘01 and ‘02.
Honda introduces first mass market gas-electric hybrid car – the Civic Hybrid.
The Honda Civic Coupe becomes one of the first cars to earn an all round five star safety rating from the NHTSA (US).
Honda Wins CART Manufacturers Championship for the fourth time.
Civic Type-R goes on sale in Japan – first Honda vehicle to be imported from UK.
Jan ‘02
First mass production of Swindon-built Civic 5 door and 3 door diesel models using 1.7-litre turbo diesel engines.
Jul 2002
The 500,000th Swindon-built Civic 5 door rolls off the production line.
2003
Tom Chilton is confirmed as the youngest ever works driver in the history of the British Touring Car Championship after signing for Honda. Chilton partners Alan Morrison in Honda's line up.
Speaking at the Autosport International show, Chilton says, "I got a call from Arena Motorsport to tell me I'd got the drive, and I've been smiling ever since. Honda is one of the best manufacturers in the world, and to drive for them is amazing."
He makes an instant impression in the Civic type-R, taking his second podium finish in the championship at the opening round of the season at Mondello Park.
BTTC season starts in April, with Tom now racing a sole works supported Honda entry – his Civic Type-R again being run by the Arena Motorsport team. Just 19 years old, Tom re-writes the record books, becoming the youngest ever winner of a British Touring Car race with his maiden victory at Silverstone in May.
2005 – 2006
The Civic undergoes its first full model change in five years. Naturally, the Civic will incorporate advanced leading edge technologies as it always has.
2005
Geneva – Motorshow – prototype of eighth generation Civic is unveiled in Frankfurt. Honda confirms Swindon plant will build the car.
2006
New Civic goes on sale in the UK.
The Civic is produced in 11 countries and sold in approximately 160 countries. The new eighth generation model will be built at Honda’s European car plant in Swindon – with the five door exclusive to Europe. Civic currently accounts for roughly one-third of all Honda sales worldwide. In all, Honda-powered cars have won 75 Grand Prix.
