Honda Celebrates Accord's Big 5-0 Anniversary
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Honda is marking a milestone of its own. The Honda Accord, which first went on sale in June 1976, is celebrating 50 years on the market and has become America's best-selling car over the past five decades, with nearly 15 million sold in the United States since its debut.
When the Accord first arrived, it was a compact three-door hatchback that offered buyers an economical and practical transportation option during a period when fuel efficiency was becoming increasingly important. Over the years, the model has evolved significantly, growing in size and moving into the midsize segment while remaining one of Honda's most recognizable vehicles.
According to Honda, the Accord's long-running success has been built on a combination of value, practicality, and broad appeal. While the model initially developed a strong following among baby boomers, it continues to attract a wide range of customers. Today, Honda says the current 11th-generation Accord is the most popular midsize car among Millennial, Gen Z, first-time, and multicultural buyers in the United States.
“Reaching 50 years as America’s best selling car is a powerful testament to Accord’s fun-to-drive spirit, quality and value,” said Lance Woelfer, vice president of Auto Sales at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Built by American associates for generations, Accord reflects Honda’s long standing commitment to building close to our customers. As we look ahead, Accord will continue to evolve, while staying true to the principles that have defined its success for half a century.”
A major part of the Accord's story is its connection to American manufacturing. More than 13 million Accords have been built at Honda's Marysville, Ohio assembly plant using both domestic and globally sourced parts. The Accord was also the first Honda model produced in the United States and the first vehicle from a Japanese automaker to be manufactured in America.
Honda began building the Accord in Ohio on November 1, 1982, and production has continued there ever since. Additional Accord production has taken place at Honda facilities in East Liberty, Ohio; Birmingham, Alabama; Alliston, Ontario; and El Salto, Jalisco, Mexico. Combined, those plants have produced more than 13.5 million Accords.
The Accord also played a role in Honda's export operations. In 1987, Ohio-built Accords were exported to Taiwan, and in 1988 Honda began exporting U.S.-built Accord Coupes to Japan.
When it launched in 1976, the model represented an important step for Honda in the U.S. market. The Civic had already helped establish the brand with American consumers, while the Accord expanded Honda's presence by offering a larger vehicle that combined practicality, efficiency, and performance.
Over 11 generations, the Accord has consistently remained one of the best-known entries in the midsize car segment. Honda credits the model's reputation to its focus on durability, quality, reliability, fuel efficiency, safety, and everyday usability.
Today, the Accord lineup consists exclusively of four-door sedans and is available in six trim levels. Buyers can choose between turbocharged gasoline-powered LX and SE models, while hybrid power is available in Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, and Touring trims. Honda says hybrid models have accounted for more than half of Accord sales during the past three years.
Value remains a key part of the Accord's positioning. Honda notes that the average transaction price of a new turbocharged 2026 Accord is lower than the average transaction price of a used vehicle in the United States.
For 2026, Honda has updated the Accord with additional standard technology features, including a larger touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a wireless phone charger.
Over its 50-year history, the Accord has reached several significant milestones:
- 1976: Accord goes on sale in the United States
- 1982: U.S. production begins at the Marysville Auto Plant
- 1988: One millionth Accord built
- 1989: Becomes the best-selling car in America
- 1995: First V6-powered Accord introduced
- 2004: Ten millionth Accord sold
- 2005: First hybrid-powered Accord introduced
- 2018: Wins North American Car of the Year
- 2026: Celebrates 50 years and 15 million cumulative U.S. sales
From its beginnings as a small hatchback in the mid-1970s to its current role as a midsize sedan available with hybrid power, the Accord has remained a central part of Honda's lineup and one of the most recognizable passenger cars sold in America.
This article was co-written using AI and was then heavily edited and optimized by our editorial team.
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