MONTREAL - Honda Civic achieved the milestone as Canada's top-selling passenger car for 10 consecutive years after reporting record annual sales of 70,838 units for 2007, Honda Canada announced at the Montreal International Auto Show.

"We are pleased to see the Civic achieve this 'car of the decade' milestone," said Jim Miller, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc. "The Civic's popularity with Canadians is due to its fuel efficiency, full complement of standard safety features and fun-to-drive character, which speak to the Honda benefit of quality cars that are green, safe and fun."

Civic was significantly improved for the 2006 model year with the introduction of an all-new, eighth-generation Civic lineup that offered three new powertrains with increased performance, a stylistic exterior design, refined interior, class-leading standard safety features, four distinct models (Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hybrid and Civic Si Coupe), and an overall increased level of vehicle quality and refinement. A fifth model, the Civic Si Sedan, was added to the Civic lineup this past fall for the 2008 model year.

With more than 1.4 million Civics sold in Canada since its introduction in 1973, the Civic has continually been re-invented throughout its eight generations. Each generation has consistently set new standards with innovative packaging, excellent fuel economy, low emissions, fun-to-drive performance, reliability and high levels of safety.

In keeping with Honda's "Safety for Everyone" initiative, all Civic models feature advanced safety equipment as standard, including anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake distribution, active front seat head restraints, front side airbags with Occupant Position Detection System, side curtain airbags and Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering(TM) (ACE(TM)) Body Structure for enhanced occupant protection.

For outstanding fuel efficiency and low emissions, the Civic Hybrid provides clean and efficient technology with a 1.3-litre i-VTEC engine and Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology that helps the hybrid achieve city/highway fuel economy ratings of 4.7/4.3 L/100 km (city/highway) and ultra low emissions.

For customers wanting a sportier Civic, the Civic Si coupe and sedan showcase the high-performance potential of the Civic platform with a 197-horsepower engine, 6-speed manual transmission and limited slip differential.

Honda is the world's preeminent maker of engines for automobiles, motorcycles and power equipment. With 134 manufacturing facilities in 28 countries worldwide, Honda now attracts 23 million customers annually. Honda Canada manufactures the Honda Ridgeline and Civic sedan and coupe, and the Acura CSX and MDX at its two plants in Alliston, Ontario. A new, third plant in Alliston, with the capacity to produce up to 200,000 vehicle engines annually, is scheduled to open later this year.