New Accord wins Japan car-of-year award

The new seventh-generation Honda Accord Euro has won the Japan Car of the Year award for 2002-2003.

It is the third win in a row for Honda, this year under new rules which allowed European models into the mix.

The Honda Civic won in 2000 and the Jazz in 2001.

The Accord has previously won the Japan Car of the Year award twice, the first time in 1985 with the third-generation model and again in 1993 with the fifth-generation version.

"We are extremely honored that the new Accord has been singled out for the Japan Car of the Year Award 2002-2003," said Honda President and CEO, Hiroyuki Yoshino. "We are especially gratified the new Accord is the first to win under the new rules, chosen from a field of domestic and imported cars.

The new Accord combines a roomy interior with a luxurious feel, said Honda. It will go on sale in New Zealand next year.