VEHICLE COMMENTS
Since the Civic debuted, Honda's small car has set the pace in the subcompact class due largely to its quality, efficiency, pleasant road manners and comfortable cabin. More than 300,000 Civics roll out of Honda's North American production plants each year, placing the Civic among the top five best-sellers. Despite this success, stylists and engineers spent the three years leading to the 2001 model, working on a new design. Their goal was to improve quality by a factor of 10. They succeeded. The idea was to maximize space for people and minimize the room required for mechanical systems, produce larger but more efficient engines, increase safety systems and comfort features, and enhance the manufacturing process by constructing fine cars with refined components and body panels that fit together precisely. As a result, the 2001 Civic increased in engine displacement, fuel efficiency, safety, cabin space and passenger comforts.
