- Civic is all-time best-selling Honda automobile with global sales of over 30 million
- With over 14.5 million in North American sales since its debut in 1973, Civic is Canada's best-selling car for 24 straight years
- Honda has produced more than 11 million Civics in North America since 1986
- 11th-generation Civic earned 2022 North American Car of the Year honours
Fifty years ago this month, Honda held the global introduction of a fun and fuel-efficient three-door hatchback that would go on to change the automotive landscape forever – the Honda Civic. A half century later, with more than 30 million sold globally and now in its 11th generation and, Civic is the longest-running automotive nameplate in Honda history and the best-selling Honda automobile of all-time.
Since going on sale in North America in 1973, Civic’s 11 generations have consistently set the benchmark for the entire auto industry by delivering class-leading quality and reliability, outstanding fuel efficiency and low emissions, refined and responsive driving dynamics and top-class safety performance.
This has earned the trust of car buyers and a reputation as a segment-defining product. With North American sales of more than 14.5 million units, the vast majority produced in Honda's North American auto plants*, Civic is Canada’s best-selling car for 24 straight years.
“For five decades the Civic has been a testament to Honda’s commitment of producing products and vehicles that are reliable, well-engineered, safe and most importantly fun to drive,” says Steve Hui, Assistant Vice President Honda Canada. “Civic has deep roots in Canada, it’s been embraced by all ages and lifestyles, it’s built locally in Alliston, Ontario, and it’s been incredibly popular since its inception. As Canada’s best-selling car for almost half of its existence, we are appreciative and thankful for the trust and loyalty Canadians have placed in Honda and the iconic Civic.”
Civic is also one of the world’s most awarded cars of its generation, consistently collecting the industry’s top honours for decades. Most recently Civic claimed the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada’s 2022 Canadian Car of the Year, the Best Overall Car in Canada in 2022 by AutoTrader Canada, and the 2022 North American Car of the Year.
A Half Century of Civic Excellence
- Civic is the longest-running automotive nameplate in Honda’s storied history, launched in Japan in 1972 and in Canada in 1973
- Honda has sold 30 million Civics globally over the last 50 years
- Civic was the first vehicle to get the CVCC engine (1975), first engine to meet U.S. emission standard without the use of a catalytic converter
- Over its 11 generations Civic has been available in five body styles; 2-door coupe, 3-door hatchback, 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchback and wagon
- The Civic Si, a performance icon in the sport compact segment, was first introduced in 1986
- The first hybrid-electric powered Civic was introduced in Japan in 2001 and North America in 2003
- Civic Type R, the pinnacle of Civic performance, was introduced in North America in 2017
- Civic has dominated Canada’s compact car segment as the best-selling passenger car in Canada for 24 consecutive years
- All-new 11th-generation Civic was named the 2022 North American Car of the Year
- Civic is currently built at Honda plants in Alliston, Ontario, the U.S. and Japan*
- All-new for 2023, Civic Type R will be the most powerful Civic ever offered in Canada
- An all-new hybrid-electric powered Civic will be introduced in the future
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About Honda Canada
Honda Canada Inc. was founded in 1969 and is the parent company for both Honda and Acura vehicle brands in Canada. Since 1986, the company has produced Honda engines and almost 10 million cars and light trucks at its Alliston, Ontario manufacturing facilities, where the Honda Civic and Honda CR-V are currently built. Honda Canada has invested over $6.5 billion in Canada, and each year sources over $3 billion in goods and services from Canadian suppliers. Since its inception, Honda Canada has sold over five million Honda and Acura passenger cars and light trucks in Canada through a dealer network of more than 280 dealerships across the country. For more information, please visit www.hondacanada.ca.
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*Using domestic and globally-sourced parts
