But Honda officials insisted that this move has nothing to do with the falling dollar or protectionist worries and is instead simply good marketing.

Honda officials recently changed the material used in the gaskets.

Honda officials seemed particularly sensitive on that point today, saying that by 1994 the plant in Swindon would include 80 percent "domestic content."

Honda officials and most analysts think the magic is still alive and the troubles are temporary.

For a while Honda officials were talking about shipping 50,000 of the cars a year here by 1992, and that is still officially the goal.

But Honda officials gave no timetable for the moves, suggesting that the relationship would be phased out slowly.

He acknowledged doing what he described as "favors" for top American Honda officials.

So far, 16 former Honda officials have pleaded guilty in the two-year Federal investigation, and two others are on trial here now.

Honda officials would not say how much of a gas mileage increase they would support.

Honda officials say the production model will be similar.