TORRANCE, Calif. –

Contrary to what the automaker is doing in Japan, American Honda Motor Co. recently reiterated that the Civic is to remain a featured model of the automaker’s U.S. lineup.

William Walton, manager of Honda product planning, clarified the situation opposing some banter that evidently made the rounds on the Internet.

“Our colleagues overseas at Honda Motor Co. recently announced that the Civic will no longer be sold in Japan,” Walton conceded. “We’ve seen that spur some online conversation and wanted to set the record straight as it relates to the U.S. and American Honda.

“In Japan, the popularity of mini-cars has led to the evolution of Honda’s vehicle lineup,” he continued. “Over there, we meet consumers’ small car needs with a variety of smaller vehicles, and Civic has not played a major sales role in many years.

To further the point, Walton insisted that “it’s a decidedly different story in North America.”

The Honda executive said, “Production and sales of the award-winning Honda Civic will continue in the U.S. and Canada. In fact, our customers are continuing to make Civic a top-10 selling vehicle in the U.S. in 2010 and Civic is our No. 1-selling vehicle in Canada.”

Beyond the sales figures, Walton touched on what’s coming from Honda in regard to the Civic.

“Further, an all-new Civic lineup will be introduced in the spring of 2011,” Walton stated.

“While we can’t say much about it at this point, we did announce that the next generation Civic Hybrid will be our first with a lithium-ion battery,” he shared. “So, Civic also will continue its role as a technology leader in the U.S. auto industry. Stay tuned for more information.”

To cement the clarification, Walton offered another closing thought.

“We are confident that when America celebrates the end of 2011, Civic will once again rank as one of America’s best-selling cars,” he concluded by boasting.