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# SM gets a little Clarity Honda dealership to receive hydrogen cars
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/sm-gets-a-little-clarity-honda-dealership-to-receive-hydrogen-cars/
- Published: 2008-06-23T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T19:58:09.000Z
- Author: Melody Hanatani
- Tags: local, Santa Monica, #archive-import

SANTA MONICA BLVD A city that boasts everything form an eco-minded government to sustainability-loving residents can add another title to its green resume — one of three launching pads for a new car that’s powered by hydrogen.

Honda of Santa Monica will be part of a trifecta of American dealerships that will facilitate the leasing of the new Honda FCX Clarity starting next month, the local auto lot chosen for its proximity to a new hydrogen refueling station that will open at the corner of Federal Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard in West Los Angeles next week.

Approximately 200 cars will be rolled out over the next three years in Japan and in the United States, with the majority of them coming through the three leasing stations in Santa Monica, Irvine and Torrance, according to Chris Martin, spokesman for American Honda Motor Co.

The car will cost $600 a month on a three-year lease, which includes collision insurance and maintenance.

“What we were looking for was a set up where the customer can use the car near their home and there is a station going in near Santa Monica,” Martin said.

The Japanese auto maker has fielded applications from potential customers since the car was unveiled at the L.A. Auto Show last fall, the clients were filtered down to only include those who live near a refueling station. Approximately 50,000 people applied via the Web, Martin said.

The company announced this week its first set of customers who will be able to lease the Clarity, including Santa Monica resident and film producer Ron Yerxa, who will receive the first delivery next month. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis and filmmaker husband Christopher Guest, car lover Jim Salomon, actress Laura Harris and Jon Spallino will also receive the first batch of cars. Spallino was the world’s first retail fuel cell vehicle customer, according to American Honda Motor Co.

Yerxa, Harris and Spallino attended an unveiling event in Japan this week.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 23, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/062308.pdf?ref=smdp.com)