Slow sales cause Honda to scrub natural gas and hybrid Civics

Slow sales and falling gasoline prices have prompted Honda to stop selling gas-electric hybrid and natural gas-powered versions of its Civic compact car.

The company also said that it will discontinue a plug-in rechargeable version of the midsize Accord.

But it plans to roll out a new, more efficient version of the Accord hybrid early next year. And a new plug-in Accord will come at a later date.

Executive Vice President John Mendel said Monday in a statement that production of the natural gas Civic already has been halted, and hybrid Civic production will end after the 2015 model year.

The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline nationwide was $2.80 on Monday, 86 cents below a year ago.

Mendel also said the small number of natural gas refueling stations continue to be a challenge for owners. Honda sold only about 16,000 natural gas Civics since 1998. Mendel said Honda will continue to service the natural gas cars.
Through May, Honda has sold only 1,873 hybrid Civics out of a total of 129,574, according to Autodata Corp. Natural gas Civic sales for the year were not released.

Part of the reason for the slow hybrid and natural gas Civic sales is the progress that Honda and other automakers have made getting better mileage out of gaspowered vehicles. Honda plans to start selling a sleeklooking new Civic in the fall that will get a little more than 40 miles per gallon in highway driving, Mendel said in the statement.

2014 CNG Civic Arrives in Chicago, On Schedule

The 2014 version of Honda’s CNG Civic sedan debuted quietly in Chicago this week, with very little of the pomp and fanfare that accompanied, say, the Kia Soul EV’s launch. Despite being a Honda fan, I’m OK with that. The cool kids know what it is, and that’s what matters. Right?

Right.

For 2014, the CNG Civic features an upgraded interior and bright blue badge work that does a better job of playing up Honda’s Earth Dreams motif than, say, the NGV stickers did on the 2011 model. Additionally, where the previous version(s) of the CNG Civic have felt a little bit like they were built as fleet specials for companies who didn’t want to save money, the newest version seems to have embraced the idea that “going green” isn’t a punishment. As such, Honda has seen fit to upgrade the interior materials and plastics of their new alt-fueler, and have added leather and alloy wheels to the mix, as well …

… the trunk space, however, is still radically compromised by the addition of the CNG tanks. While that’s not much of a problem for a company car that’s meant to shuttle project managers between job sites, it does mean that someone shopping for a clean-burning city car to put their growing family in (*ahem!*) can’t consider the CNG Civic a realistic option. Not if they’re trying to get a baby stroller into this …

… so, that kinda sucks.

Still, the continuation of the CNG Civic is great news for drivers who care about their carbon footprint and want that legendary Honda reliability. While I might lament the lack of, say, an AWD CNG Honda CR-V, however, I’m sure Honda knows what they’re doing. Expect to see more CNG Hondas in the future, then- especially if President Obama’s comments about expanding America’s natural gas infrastructure turn out to have legs. In the meantime, check out some excerpts from Honda’s official press release, below, and a few more CNG Civic pictures under that.

For 2014, the sophistication and value of the … Civic Natural Gas is enhanced with a host of new standard features, including new Display Audio with 7-inch touchscreen that allows users to pinch, swipe and tap just like a smartphone to access audio, phonebook, media, vehicle information and available navigation features. The touchscreen display is also the interface for the next-generation HondaLink™, an application-based platform that allows a seamless integration between a user’s smartphone and the car, providing access to online and cloud-based content and information both inside and outside the car.

New for 2014, the Civic Natural Gas Leather Navi model gains additional premium features such as leather seats, heated front seats, heated side mirrors and a six-speaker audio system. The Civic Natural Gas’ standard interior has also been upgraded with more premium seating materials and door panel trim.

The 2014 Civic Natural Gas will be available at Honda dealers in 37 states on February 15 with an MSRP starting at $26,640 ($29,290 for the “Navi” model) and a combined EPA rating of 31 MPG.

Hertz introduces CNG vehicle rentals in US; Civics and Yukons

The Hertz Corporation is introducing compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles to its fleet in the US. Hertz will begin renting eight CNG Honda Civics and two CNG GMC Yukons at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City early next month. All vehicles will include NeverLost GPS units to assist renters in mapping local CNG refueling stations.

Oklahoma City is serving as a pilot program for Hertz’s CNG airport rentals program. In addition to having significant CNG fueling infrastructure across the state—approximately 70 existing or planned public stations—Oklahoma is also home to several of the top natural gas producers in the country, including Chesapeake Energy Corporation.

Last year, Hertz introduced the addition of CNG vehicles through Hertz On Demand at Oklahoma State University. Hertz also deploys CNG airport buses at its Los Angeles Airport location and rents CNG vehicles in both Italy and the United Kingdom.

Hertz is committed to providing our customers with a full spectrum of vehicle options to suit their rental needs including clean emission vehicles such as CNG, electric vehicles, as well as other fuel-efficient vehicles included in our Green Traveler Collection. As more low emission, fuel efficient vehicles become available for general use we will continue to expand our rental fleet, reflecting our dedication to offering sustainable travel options.

—Mark P. Frissora, Hertz Chairman and CEO

The new vehicles will be on display at the Oklahoma City Thunder’s home game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, April 11. In conjunction with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Green Week, an NBA initiative for environmental awareness, Hertz will also be raffling off 10 weekend CNG vehicle rentals to game attendees.

The expansion of energy-efficient and clean vehicles stems from the launch of Living Journey, Hertz’s global sustainability strategy announced earlier this year.

CNG is a cleaner-burning fuel, emitting up to 30% less carbon dioxide and up to 75% less carbon monoxide. The fuel also typically costs half the price of gasoline and is produced domestically.

Source: Green Car Congress

Honda Civic Natural Gas, gets a world premiere in New York

PRESS RELEASE

America's only manufacturer-built natural gas passenger car provides a stylish and viable alternative to gasoline and electric vehicles

TORRANCE, Calif., April 20, 2011 – The all-new 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas leverages the style and refinement of the Civic Sedan with the wide-ranging environmental and historical operational cost advantages of a vehicle run exclusively on compressed natural gas (CNG).

"The Civic Natural Gas builds on the company's 15-year legacy of offering viable, alternative fuel-powered vehicles by adding popular features and expanding its retail availability," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Inherently clean-burning natural gas has a proven track record as an extremely low-emission, domestically produced transportation fuel. The new Civic Natural Gas makes it even more convenient to tap into this desirable and abundant resource."

The Civic Natural Gas (formerly named Civic GX) has been offered to fleet customers nationwide since the 1998 model year. Since 2005 it has also been marketed to retail customers starting in California, and then later in New York, Utah and Oklahoma. For 2012, the Civic Natural Gas is poised to broaden retail access as it becomes available nationwide through qualified Honda dealers.

Multiple benefits exist to using natural gas as a vehicle fuel. From a value standpoint, natural gas has historically cost about 30-percent less per gasoline-gallon-equivalent compared to gasoline when purchased at public fueling stations. As an alternative fuel vehicle with extremely low smog-forming emissions, the Civic Natural Gas currently qualifies for a state-issued decal allowing single-occupant access to high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) "carpool" lanes in California and several other states.

For 2012, the Civic Natural Gas receives enhanced feature content found in the other all-new Civic models. The new "intelligent" Multi-Information Display (i-MID) provides a convenient platform for integration of vehicle information and compatible personal electronics with a driver-oriented 5-inch color LCD display and intuitive steering wheel controls. Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® for compatible mobile phones and a USB audio interface for compatible music players are also standard.

For the first time ever, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation with voice recognition and FM Traffic is available in the Civic Natural Gas. The navigation system database uniquely includes retail fueling locations for CNG.

A CNG-version of the same 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine found in the Civic Sedan and Coupe models powers the Civic Natural Gas. A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment. The Civic Natural Gas has a Honda-estimated city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 27/38/31 miles per gallon (gasoline-gallon equivalent). Compared to the 2011 model, city fuel economy improves by 12.5 percent, and highway fuel economy is up by 5.5 percent. The Civic Natural Gas includes Honda's ECO Assist™ technology, an innovation that can enhance efficient vehicle operation at the touch of a button while also providing visual feedback to promote and confirm an efficient driving style.

The Civic Natural Gas engine incorporates unique features to operate exclusively on CNG. The compression ratio increases to 12.7:1, compared to 10.6:1 in the Civci Sedan's gasoline-powered engine. Exclusive fuel injectors, intake and exhaust valves, and valve seats accommodate the unique properties of natural gas. Stronger connecting rods and special pistons are used in consideration of the higher compression ratio.

The Civic Natural Gas has its 3600 p.s.i. fuel tank located between the rear wheels. The safety-engineered aluminum-lined composite fuel tank can contain the gasoline-gallon equivalent (GGE) of 7.8 gallons of gasoline when filled to 3600 p.s.i. with CNG.

Designed with a sleek windshield rake, a sweeping roofline and a new interpretation of the previous model's "one-motion" profile, the lines of the 2012 Civic Natural Gas suggest a sophisticated and athletic appearance. A low and wide stance contributes to a distinctive visual presence, while thinner A-pillars stretch further toward the front of the vehicle than before to improve visibility and the perception of interior space. The C-pillars also stretch further toward the rear of the vehicle compared to the previous generation to better complete the flowing one-motion appearance. Aerodynamic features such as flat under-body construction and functional aerodynamic strakes in front of the tires help to increase fuel-efficiency.

The redesigned interior offers more style with new functionality and new features. An intuitive "two-tier" layout prioritizes frequently referenced instruments like the speedometer up high in the driver's line of sight with less frequently referenced information positioned down lower. The i-MID can present audio information including album artwork, custom vehicle settings, and personal wallpaper backgrounds. A four-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system is standard, and it can stream music wirelessly via a Bluetooth connection with a compatible player, or via a wired USB connection. A Bluetooth HandsFreeLink system offers convenient device pairing and lets the driver make calls using pre-assigned voice tags and steering wheel controls.

Building on the successful packaging of the previous generation, the passenger volume of 94.7 cubic feet increases by 3.7 cubic feet, and gains have also been made in front shoulder room (+2.9 inches).

The 2012 Civic embraces Honda's tradition of making its vehicles fun to drive by continuing to use a fully independent suspension design, a premium and exceptional feature in the entry compact segment. The front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link suspensions are tuned for sporty driving fun, yet provide refined ride comfort.

For safety, a wide variety of standard equipment includes Honda's exclusive Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure for enhanced frontal collision energy management and vehicle-to-vehicle crash compatibility. ACE enhances frontal collision energy management through a network of load bearing structures in the front of the vehicle. Standard safety equipment includes VSA that integrates with the new Motion-Adaptive EPS system; dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; front side airbags with occupant position detection system (OPDS); side curtain airbags; and a 4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

The Civic Natural Gas engine produces almost zero smog-forming emissions and is the cleanest internal-combustion vehicle certified by the EPA (Tier-II, Bin-2 and ILEV certification as of August 2010). It is also recognized by the state of California as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) by meeting SULEV standards and maintaining its emissions durability for at least 150,000 miles or 15 Years. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) named the 2011 Civic GX "America's Greenest Vehicle" for the eighth time in its Green Book® ranking of environmentally responsible vehicles.

All Civic Natural Gas models are produced at Honda Manufacturing of Indiana (HMIN) from domestic and globally sourced parts. The 2012 Honda Civic is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile new car limited Warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, and a 5-year/unlimited-mile corrosion limited warranty.


1. Nationwide, in states that have sufficient CNG stations within close proximity to authorized Civic Natural Gas dealers.
2. Preliminary mileage estimates determined by Honda. Final EPA mileage estimates not available at the time of printing. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.