Why did Honda pick the Spallinos? Mr. Spallino was already one of a few thousand owners of a Civic that runs on natural gas; filling one up is not unlike refueling the FCX. He also lived near the company's headquarters, and its refueling station. And the normality of the Spallino family appealed to the company, which wanted to see how the vehicle held up under the stresses of family driving.
"I use it for everyday life," said Sandy Spallino, 40, who also drives a Ford Taurus station wagon. "I go to the market in it, I take the girls to school in it, I take them to soccer, just little one-mile jaunts here and there."