Honda Achieves Record Monthly Overseas and Worldwide Auto Production
Tokyo, Japan, May. 24, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced its automobile production, domestic sales, and export results for the month of April 2006. Honda achieved a new record for overseas and worldwide production for the month of April.Domestic auto production increased 5.5% for the month of April, compared to the same month a year ago due to an increase in production of domestic models. This is the first time in five months, since November 2005, that domestic production exceeded the total from the same month a year ago. Overseas production increased 3.6% in April, due to increased production in Asia. It is the ninth consecutive month, since August 2005, for an increase over the same month a year ago. Worldwide production increased 4.3% in April, due to an increase in both domestic and overseas production. It is the ninth consecutive month, since August 2005, for an increase over the same month a year ago. Overseas and worldwide production achieved a new monthly record in April, including record production in Asia and China. Japan Domestic Sales Total domestic auto sales of 52,066 units for the month of April represents a 1.4% decline compared to the same month a year ago, due primarily to a decline in new vehicle registrations (passenger car and light truck sales, not including mini vehicles). It is the first time in two months, since February 2006, that total domestic sales declined from the same month a year ago. New vehicle registrations declined 8.4% in April compared to the same month a year ago due to decreased sales of popular models such as Fit and Odyssey. It is the first time in two months, since February 2006, that new vehicle registrations declined from the same month a year ago. Sales of mini vehicles on the other hand, increased 8.9% for the month of April compared to the same month a year ago, due to the addition of the Zest model, which was introduced in March of this year. It is the second consecutive month, since March 2006, for sales of mini vehicles to increase compared to the same month a year ago. Life was Honda's best selling vehicle on sales of 8,299 units, which ranked as the industry's fifth best selling mini vehicle in April. The Fit and Zest ranked as Honda's second and third best selling vehicles for the month. Fit had sales of 7,002 units, the fourth best selling car among new vehicle registrations (not including mini vehicles), while Zest had sales of 6,651 units, the industry's seventh best selling mini vehicle. StepWGN was Honda's fourth best selling vehicle on sales of 4,943 units, the industry's sixth best selling car among new vehicle registrations (not including mini vehicles.) Exports from Japan Auto exports from Japan for the month of April totaled 51,535 units, a 13.3% increase compared to the same month a year ago, due primarily to increased exports to North America. Fit, which was introduced to the market in April, was a key contributor to the increased export to North America. It is the second consecutive month, since March 2006, that exports exceeded the total from the same month a year ago. Production, Sales, and Exports (April 2006) Production ------------------------------------------------------------- April Year-to-Date Total (Jan - Apr 2006) Units Vs. 4/05 Units Vs. 2005 ------------------------------------------------------------ Domestic (CBU+CKD) 103,097 +5.5% 432,680 -3.0% Overseas (CBU only) 185,297 +3.6% 761,272 +8.2% Worldwide Total 288,394 +4.3% 1,193,952 +3.9% ------------------------------------------------------------- Production by Region ------------------------------------------------------------- April Year-to-Date Total (Jan - Apr 2006) Units Vs. 4/05 Units Vs. 2005 ------------------------------------------------------------- North America 110,241 -2.5% 473,250 +3.9% (USA only) 77,335 -1.0% 335,656 +7.1% Europe 14,832 -12.1% 66,701 +1.4% Asia 54,061 +27.9% 193,595 +23.0% (China only) 29,835 +44.2% 103,271 +41.4% Others 6,163 -8.2% 27,726 +11.7% Overseas Total 185,297 +3.6% 761,272 +8.2% ------------------------------------------------------------- Japan Domestic Sales ------------------------------------------------------------- April Year-to-Date Total (Jan - Apr 2006) Vehicle Type Units Vs. 4/05 Units Vs. 2005 ------------------------------------------------------------ Registrations 28,662 -8.4% 149,751 -1.8% Mini Vehicles 23,404 +8.9% 86,561 -2.6% Honda Brand Total 52,066 -1.4% 236,312 -2.1% ------------------------------------------------------------- Exports from Japan ------------------------------------------------------------- April Year-to-Date Total (Jan - Apr 2006) Units Vs. 4/05 Units Vs. 2005 ------------------------------------------------------------- North America 28,736 +53.2% 113,922 +23.2% (USA only) 23,684 +37.5% 100,175 +21.2% Europe 9,357 -31.7% 49,538 -1.1% Asia 1,692 +13.1% 6,588 +6.9% Others 11,750 +1.8% 37,131 +1.8% Total 51,535 +13.3% 207,179 +11.9% ------------------------------------------------------------- About Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (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. For further information, please visit the Honda Motor Co., Ltd. home page at: world.honda.com <http://world.honda.com>
