U.S. Scientists Rank Honda First for Clean Cars for Third Time

Dec. 8—NEW YORK — A group of U.S. scientists on Tuesday gave Honda Motor Co. the top slot in a survey of automakers'

technologies to produce environmentally friendly cars.

The Union of Concerned Scientists said the Japanese automaker earned the No. 1 spot for its technologies to boost fuel

economy and cut harmful exhaust emissions.

Honda came first for the third time in as many polls. The scientists started the surveys in 1998, holding them every two or

three years.

This year's survey covered the 2003 model-year automobiles from six automakers — the "Big Three" U.S. automakers and

three leading Japanese makers.

Honda clinched the top place on the strength of two models of hybrid automobiles powered by a combination of an electric

motor and gasoline engine.

Nissan Motor Co. overtook Toyota Motor Corp. to take second place with improved fuel efficiency in its automobiles, thus

helping slash the release of global-warming gases into the atmosphere, the scientists said.

General Motors Corp. fell to sixth place from fifth place in the preceding poll.

© 2004, Kyodo News International, Tokyo. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.