Honda Unveils Civic and Ridgeline Accessory Concepts at SEMA 2008

Honda Reveals Accessory Concepts for Civic and Ridgeline at SEMA 2008

MUGEN accessories to be offered for the 2009 Fit next spring

More than 16 Honda project, concept, and accessorized production vehicles are on display at the 2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. Specially featured in the display are a 2009 Fit equipped with MUGEN accessories, the Civic Honda Factory Performance^TM (HFP^TM) Concept and the 2009 Ridgeline Powersports Concept.

"From cars to light trucks, Honda products have always been great platforms for customization," said Jim Roach, senior vice president of Parts and Service for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Honda Genuine Accessories offer our owners the ability to personalize their vehicles while enhancing appearance, performance and functionality."

A 2009 Fit equipped with MUGEN accessories was revealed today along with the announcement that beginning next spring, Honda will make a complete new line of MUGEN accessories available for the 2009 Fit on an a-la-carte basis through authorized Honda dealers. Available MUGEN accessories for the Fit will include: 16-inch alloy wheels, aluminum oil filler cap, front sports grille, front under spoiler, side spoiler, rear under spoiler, sports silencer, rear emblem, quick shifter, shift knob, sports pedals (MT), sports floor mats and a mirror cover. MUGEN, under license by M-TEC Co., Ltd., of Japan, has been closely associated with Honda for decades in the design and manufacture of racing and premium performance components. Further details, including pricing, will be available at a later date.

Honda also revealed a Civic Honda Factory Performance (HFP) Concept sedan that represents a new approach on performance improvement. With more consumer concern about fuel prices, future customers may want to maximize the performance of their vehicles without compromising fuel economy. Honda Access America, Honda's accessory development company, took on that challenge. Through aerodynamic improvements to the next generation HFP body kit, super-light alloy wheels with aerodynamic covers, a lighter HFP exhaust system and an upgraded HFP suspension kit, this concept offers the possibility of improving both fuel economy and performance. In fact, a very similar package has proven its worth on the race tracks of Japan on the Civic Type R race car, which campaigned in a spec series called the Super Taikyu Series.

In the truck display area, the 2009 Ridgeline Powersports Concept represents what Ridgeline owners could build using currently available Honda Genuine Accessories. These additions to the Ridgeline help to highlight the fact that the Ridgeline was purpose-built to haul almost any of Honda's motorcycle products. Transporting a Honda CRF 450R Special Edition is made more convenient with a Honda Genuine Accessory motorcycle wheel guide and bed extender. Among many installed accessories, the concept features a Honda Genuine front accessory grille and black experimental finish 18" wheels. All accessories shown on the 2009 Ridgeline Powersports Concept (except experimental painted black wheel finish and grille surround) are available from any authorized Honda dealer.

On the racing front, the company announced that Honda will continue support of competitors driving the Civic Si in the 2009 Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series through a generous contingency program and parts support. This move represents Honda division's primary production-based motorsports support, and the Civic Si has already proven itself a capable racer in August with a 2008 series-first win by Fenton Motorsports at the New Jersey Motorsports Park. Honda anticipates even more victories for the 2009 series.

Vehicles On Display at the Honda Booth

2009 Civic HFP^TM Concept
2009 Ridgeline Powersports Concept
2009 Fit Sport with MUGEN accessories
2009 Accord Coupe HFP^TM
2009 Civic Coupe HFP^TM
2009 S2000 CR
2009 Element EX with accessories
CARR "Ridgeline Racing" Baja truck
CARR "Pilot Safari" Baja support vehicle
Compass 360 Racing Civic Si Sedan
Fenton Motorsports Civic Si Coupe
Galpin Honda 2009 Accord 2dr project
Tjin Edition 2009 Fit project
Ryan Shutt 2009 Pilot project
DSO Eyewear 2009 Pilot project
Danica Patrick IndyCar® Racecar
2009 Honda Big Red (sold through Honda motorcycle dealers)