The initial design was for a high-mileage, low-emission vehicle, and in the USA and Japan, a version was produced using the Honda CVCC technology, meeting emmission standards of the 70's and 80's. Like the smaller Honda Civic, the Accord uses front wheel drive and an "East / West" engine layout.
The Accord became the first Japanese car to be produced in the USA in 1982, when production commenced in Ohio.
In 1982 the Accord became the best-selling Japanese car by name in the USA, holding that position for 15 years.
By 2003, the Accord had evolved through seven generations, with 2003 models offering power plants from 4 cylinder to V6. A specific 4 cylinder model is the first production car in the world to meet California's Ultra Low Emission standards.