Honda President: Europe Output Outstrips Projections

Thursday , 9:04 pm ET

TOKYO -September 26, 2002,Dow Jones reported that Honda Motor Co.'s European output in the first eight months of this year exceeded the carmaker's projections, rising 63% on year against a projected 53% rise for the year, according to Honda President Hiroyuki Yoshino, Kyodo News reported Friday.

Yoshino told a press conference late Thursday in Paris, where the Paris Motor Show begins Saturday, that the company's sales target had been met, rising 11% in January-August, the pace earmarked by Honda for the year.

Honda plans to raise local production in Europe to 175,000 cars this year, an on-year rise of 53%, while the sales target for the year was set at 189,000 cars.

Yoshino said there is strong demand in Europe for the Honda CR-V, a small sports utility vehicle, despite a general slowdown in the European car market.

He added that Honda plans to introduce diesel engine models of the new Accord sedan and CR-V for the European market. Diesel models are popular in Europe as diesel engines contain lower carbon dioxide emissions.

The diesel models are expected to hit the Europe market from 2004.