 During the 1970s energy crisis, however, lightweight, fuel-efficient cars experienced a surge in demand.The Honda Civic, introduced in 1973, became popular in the United States, leading a significant expansion of Honda into the American market.By 1976, the company had 630 automobile dealers, and Honda followed the Civic with the Accord hatchback, which became the best-selling passenger car in the United States from 1990 to 1992.