Honda Achieves Global Production Record for January 2005

Tokyo, Japan, Feb 24, 2005 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced production, domestic sales, and export results for the month of January 2005. Honda established a new record for global auto production for the month, as domestic production showed a substantial increase, while Asia and overseas production hit all-time January records.

Domestic production in January increased 16.6% compared to the same month a year ago due primarily to the production of new models that are popular in North America and Europe. Overseas production increased 9.6% compared to the same month a year ago, exceeding the previous year's record for the 12th consecutive month. Growth of production in Asia, especially China, continues to be a key contributor to the growth in overseas production. For the month, Honda achieved all-time records for Asia production, overseas production, and worldwide production.

Domestic sales for the month of January fell 18.3% compared to the same month a year ago. The decline was due primarily to stabilizing demand for the all-new Life, which debuted in September 2003, and the all-new Odyssey, introduced in November 2003. The Honda Fit was Honda's best-selling car for the month and the industry's third best-selling model for the month on sales of 7,797 units. The Life and Odyssey, with sales of 6,688 and 5,379 units, respectively, were Honda's second and third best-selling models.

Total exports in January increased 14.6% compared to the same month a year ago. Strong sales in North America of the all-new Acura RL and the new Accord Hybrid, introduced in December 2004, and continued strong sales of Accord Diesel in Europe contributed to the overall increase in exports. Overall exports exceeded the total from the same month a year ago in each of the past five consecutive months.

PRODUCTION, SALES, EXPORTS  (January 2005)



PRODUCTION
                                January
                          Units         vs.1/04
Domestic (CBU+CKD)        106,029       +16.6%
Overseas (CBU only)       164,409        +9.6%
Worldwide Total           270,438       +12.3%


REGIONAL PRODUCTION
                                January
                          Units         vs.1/04
North America             107,333        +6.9%
(USA only)                 73,149       +10.6%
Europe                     15,905        -8.9%
Asia                       35,709       +32.2%
Others                      5,462        +7.0%
Regional Total            164,409        +9.6%


SALES
Vehicle type                    January
                          Units         vs.1/04
Passenger Cars
& Light Trucks            26,374        -20.2%
(Imports)                    406        -43.6%
Mini Vehicles             14,670        -14.4%
Honda Brand TTL           41,044        -18.3%


EXPORTS
                                January
                          Units         vs.1/04
North America             23,190        +11.5%
(USA only)                21,326        +10.3%
Europe                    13,815        +11.6%
Asia                       1,945       +134.3%
Others                     9,319        +14.9%
Total                     48,269        +14.6%

About Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Honda 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 17 million customers annually.

Contact:

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Media Inquiries
corporate_pr@hm.honda.co.jp