LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- A Los Angeles-area family recently became the first private citizens to lease a fuel cell vehicle when they signed a two-year agreement to operate a Honda FCX. American Honda Motor Company announced the historic event at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. The family, Jon and Sandy Spallino of Redondo Beach will lease a 2005 Honda FCX for two years, using it as an everyday use vehicle to commute to work, take their children to school, to use for shopping and household errands.

World's first individuals to lease a fuel cell vehicle, Jon and Sandy Spallino take their kids for a drive in their new 2005 Honda FCX.

"We're pleased to be taking this historic step forward in the further advancement of our fuel cell program," said John Mendel, senior vice president of automotive operations for American Honda. "Our advanced fuel cell technology has been proven and tested through a successful fleet sales partnership over the last three years." With this announcement, Honda furthers its commitment to the continued advancement of this technology for the benefit of society, with the ultimate goal of achieving large-scale commercialization of fuel cell vehicles."

The Spallino family's fuel cell Honda is the first of several FCX vehicles Honda plans to lease to individual customers over the next year. Honda's also has a fleet of 13 FCX fuel cell vehicles in regular daily use with six public municipal customers in California, New York and Nevada.

"With its outstanding environmental benefits, advanced technology, and safety-tested performance, the FCX is proving every day its viability as the transportation technology of the future," said Mendel. "The Spallinos' experience with the FCX will provide Honda engineers with real-world driving experience and feedback by an individual family, which will be invaluable as we design future models."

"I'm looking forward to commuting to work and running the kids around in the FCX," said Jon Spallino. "We're really excited about the opportunity to lease this car. The FCX drives just like any other vehicle on the road -- without the emissions."

Living in the Los Angeles area, the Spallino family will also be among the first individuals to begin utilizing the first of California's Hydrogen Highway refueling stations, a statewide infrastructure build out underway to offer hydrogen refueling station access to private individuals.