---

Honda Unveils MV-99 Minivan Concept Vehicle

5 January 1998

Honda Unveils MV-99 Minivan Concept Vehicle

    DETROIT, Jan. 5 -- The Honda MV-99 minivan concept vehicle
unveiled today at the Detroit International Auto Show provides a clear
indication of the size and shape of a new Honda production minivan that will
go on sale in the fall of this year as a 1999 model, American Honda Motor Co.,
Inc. announced today.
    The one-of-a-kind MV-99 features front-wheel-drive, a V-6 engine and dual
sliding side doors.  The production model will share those traits along
with the same basic silhouette of the MV-99.
    The MV-99 is 196 inches long and rides on a 117.5 inch wheelbase.  Both
measurements are close to those of the production model.  The production model
will be built on a second assembly line currently under construction at Honda
of Canada Manufacturing in Alliston, Ontario, which is near Toronto.
    "This will be the largest vehicle Honda had ever made," said Dick
Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda, in making the
announcement.  "It will be as big, as roomy, as powerful, as versatile and as
competitively priced as anything in its class."
    Colliver said sales of the new minivan will at least double those of the
current Honda Odyssey, which reached a peak of about 30,000 vehicles.
Capacity on the new Canadian production line will eventually grow to 120,000
units and add about 1,200 jobs to the facility.
    While the silhouette of the MV-99 provides an excellent indication of what
to expect from the new Honda production minivan, the interior was designed to
take a look into the future, when new technologies may turn the common minivan
into an executive shuttle and mobile office on wheels.
    The MV-99 features fully articulating passenger chairs and a rear sofa
lounge area for additional meeting space.  A digital satellite antenna
connects the MV-99 to a global communications network and overhead interior
monitors provide complete video conferencing capabilities.  The armrests in
each passenger seat contain their own flip-up personal data processing center
and individual video monitoring screen, or are retractable for maximum
flexibility.
    The driver of the MV-99 is allowed to concentrate on the task at hand and
not be distracted by conferencing activities through a heads-up instrument
display unit and wrap-around control panel.  The heads-up display is projected
just above the aircraft style driving controls and provides the driver with
all the key information and gauges, including speedometer.  The display unit
is flanked and topped by real time video from side- and rear-view "lipstick"
cameras.
    The wrap-around control panel allows the driver complete control of the
environmental climate system, entertainment center and access to the Global
Positioning Satellite navigation system.

SOURCE  American Honda Motor Co., Inc.