Honda Sets All-Time Record for Worldwide Auto Production in Asia and China for the First Half of a Fiscal Year

Tokyo, Oct 28, 2009 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd., today announced a summary of automobile production, Japan domestic sales, and export results for the month of September 2009 and the first half of the current fiscal year (April-September 2009).

Production

First Half of Current Fiscal Year (April - September 2009)--

Production in Japan for the first half of the current fiscal year experienced a year-on-year decrease for the third consecutive year (since the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008).

Production in regions outside of Japan for the first half of the current fiscal year experienced a year-on-year decrease for the first time in 13 years (since the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997), although production in Asia and China respectively set all-time record for the first half of a fiscal year.

Worldwide production experienced a year-on-year decrease for the first time in six years (since the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004).

September 2009--

Production in Japan for the month of September 2009 experienced a year-on-year decrease for the 11th consecutive month (since November 2008).

Production in regions outside of Japan experienced a year-on-year decrease for the 12th consecutive month (since October 2008), although production in Asia and China respectively set all-time record for the month of September.

Worldwide production experienced a year-on-year decrease for the 11th consecutive month (since November 2008).


Japan Domestic Market Sales

First Half of Current Fiscal Year (April - September 2009)--

Total Japan domestic market auto sales for the first half of the current fiscal year experienced a year-on-year increase for the second consecutive year (since the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009).

New vehicle registrations for the first half of the current fiscal year experienced a year-on-year increase for the second consecutive year (since the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009).

Sales of mini-vehicles for the first half of the current fiscal year experienced a year-on-year decrease for the third consecutive year (since the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008).

-Vehicle registrations - excluding mini-vehicles-
Fit was the industry's second best-selling car among new vehicle registrations for the first half of the current fiscal year, with sales of 76,489 units. Insight was the industry's third best-selling car with sales of 55,845 units. Freed was the industry's ninth best-selling car with sales of 35,875 units.

-Mini-vehicles - under 660cc-
Life was the industry's sixth best-selling car among mini-vehicles for the first half of the current fiscal year with sales of 32,248 units. Zest was the industry's ninth best-selling car with sales of 20,595 units.

September 2009--

Total Japan domestic market auto sales for the month of September 2009, experienced a year-on-year increase for the third consecutive month (since July 2009).

New vehicle registrations experienced a year-on-year increase for the sixth consecutive month (since April 2009).

Sales of mini-vehicles experienced a year-on-year decrease for the tenth consecutive month (since December 2008).

-Vehicle registrations - excluding mini-vehicles-
Fit was the industry's second best-selling car among new vehicle registrations for the month of September 2009, with sales of 17,241 units. Insight was the industry's fifth best-selling car with sales of 10,289 units. Freed was the industry's sixth best-selling car with sales of 9,123 units.

-Mini-vehicles - under 660cc-
Life was the industry's eighth best-selling car in the mini-vehicle category for the month of September 2009, with sales of 5,544 units. Zest was the industry's ninth best-selling car with sales of 4,610 units.

Exports from Japan

First Half of Current Fiscal Year (April - September 2009)--

Total exports from Japan for the first half of the current fiscal year experienced a year-on-year decrease for the second consecutive year (since fiscal year ended March 31, 2009).

September 2009--

Total exports from Japan in September 2009, experienced a year-on-year decrease for the 12th consecutive month (since October 2008).

About Honda

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (TSE:7267/NYSE:HMC/LSE:HNDA.L) is one of the leading manufacturers of automobiles and power products and the largest manufacture of motorcycles in the world. Honda has always sought to provide genuine satisfaction to people worldwide. The result is more than 120 manufacturing facilities in 30 countries worldwide, producing a wide range of products, including motorcycles, ATVs, generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment and automobiles that bring the company into contact with over 19 million customers annually. For more information, please visit http://world.honda.com .



Source: Honda

Contact:

Honda
Media Inquiries
corporate_pr@hm.honda.co.jp
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