Honda Motor Company Wins 2nd Annual
EARTH ANGEL Award
Most Environmentally Progressive Automaker

In response to the rising gas prices and growing concern for global warming, the International Car of the Year Awards (ICOTY) jury recently polled automakers about the progress being made in addressing environmental issues and global warming.

This year, the ICOTY jury was proud to honor Honda Motor Company with thesecond annual EARTH ANGEL Award as the most environmentally-progressive automaker demonstrating the most significant progress with environmental initiatives and partnerships on a worldwide basis. Senior Vice President, Honda R & D Americas Inc., Charles Allen, accepted the award on behalf of Honda.

"At Honda, we are working to reduce the environmental footprint of our operations with the same passion and purpose as our commitment to develop new technologies that reduce the environmental footprint of our products," said Tetsuo Iwamura, president and CEO of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Sponsored by Bridgestone, the EARTH ANGEL Award was presented at the 13th Annual ICOTY Awards on January 10, 2009, as one of the many highlights at the night’s glitzy, black-tie affair held at the MGM Grand Detroit on the eve of press week of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

U.S. Congressman Gary Peters, D-Mich., provided opening remarks for the award citing the importance of recognizing the automotive industry for the remarkable strides being taken within the environmental arena.

There are many causes for Earth's climate change, most of which must be reversed before it's too late. There is little precious time to help our planet return to its more organic state of balance preventing additional and irreversible damage. All industries must do their part to conserve resources and decrease the amounts of greenhouse gases being locked in our atmosphere.

“Automakers are too often criticized for environmental insensitivity when the reality is that they’re making enormous strides on a global level to improve the earth’s environment,” said Courtney Caldwell, ICOTY creator and producer. “Our goal is to shed light on these many positive accomplishments, especially those not known to the general public or media.”

A number of automakers are creating more fuel efficient vehicles, including hybrids and ethanol (E85) versions. Additionally, companies are working to reduce the energy they consume by using greener power supplies including solar energy.

Through its “Green Factory” initiative, Honda is working to reduce the environmental impact of its manufacturing activities, including ongoing efforts to reduce energy use, water use, generation of waste materials, CO2 and air emissions. Through its “Green Purchasing” program, the company is also encouraging its more than 600 North American original-equipment suppliers to adopt similar practices.

"We are accelerating our efforts to improve energy efficiency in our products and the facilities that produce them, with a strong focus on the reduction of CO2 emissions that contribute to global climate change," Mr. Iwamura said.

In addition to reducing the environmental impact of its own operations, Honda is always looking for ways to make positive contributions to the communities where it does business. Many of these efforts focus on community-based environmental education, preservation and restoration efforts, in the form of corporate charitable foundation giving, in-kind contributions and company support of volunteer efforts by Honda employees who want to take an active role in their communities.

The EARTH ANGEL Award winner is selected by a jury of 16 respected automotive journalists. Factors considered for the award included established present and future environmental initiatives sponsored or supported by the automaker; current hybrid electric, diesel and flex-fuel vehicles available to the public; and the automaker’s position and mission on global warming.

In 2008, the inaugural EARTH ANGEL Award honored General Motors was as the most environmentally-progressive automaker. Read more about the EARTH ANGEL Presentation that awarded GM for its environmental initiatives.

Learn more about the environmentally friendly initiatives of the EARTH ANGEL Award automaker nominees.