HONDA MOTOR COMPANY'S CVCC ENGINE

From 1968 to 1972, Honda Motor Co. of Japan designed, tested, and massproduced a stratified charge engine, the CVCC, which was lower in carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, and nitrogen oxide emissions and higher in fuel economy than contemporary conventional engines of similar output. Honda developed the CVCC without government assistance or outside help. Honda's success came at a time when steadily increasing fuel costs and the various provisions of the Clean Air Act had forced U.S. automakers to consider possible alternatives to the conventional gasoline engine. While most major engine manufacturers had investigated some form of stratified charge engine, Honda's CVCC was the only one to find successful market application. This case study examines the circumstances surrounding the development of the CVCC engine and its introduction into the Japanese and American markets.

• Corporate Authors:

  Lexington Technology Associates

  Lexington, MA  United States  02173
• Authors:
  • ABERNATHY, W J
  • RONAN, L
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 76 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Energy conservation; Exhaust gases; Foreign automobiles; Fuel consumption; Stratified charge engines
• Old TRIS Terms: Foreign vehicles
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00361552
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT-TSC-NHTSA-80-3 Final Rpt., HS-805 268
• Contract Numbers: DOT-TSC-1355
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 30 1982 12:00AM