Honda targets US sales of 140,000 for 2009 Pilot

DETROIT, April 15, 2008; Soyoung Kim writing for Reuters reported that Honda Motor Co aims to sell 140,000 units of its new 2009 Pilot crossover in the United States for the first full year of sales, the Japanese automaker said on Tuesday.

Honda is betting on the new Pilot, the first major revamp since the vehicle's introduction six years ago, to boost sales in the U.S. market despite a credit crisis and surging gasoline prices that have shaken consumer confidence.

Honda sold more than 117,000 Pilots in 2007.

The 2009 Pilot, which has a base price of $27,500 and sells for up to $40,000 when all options are included, begins selling on May 22, Honda said in a statement.

Honda's crossover utility vehicles such as the Pilot and the CR-V have been well-received in the U.S. market as consumers increasingly shun traditional SUVs in favor of more fuel-efficient crossovers, which are built on car platforms.

The redesigned eight-passenger crossover, featured with a 3.5 liter V-6 engine, offers stronger off-road capabilities like traditional SUVs with better fuel economy, Honda said.

Honda's U.S. sales fell 0.4 percent to 352,642 vehicles in the first three months of the year, but widely outperformed the U.S. auto industry's 8 percent overall decline. Honda has said expects its U.S. sales to rise 2.5 percent in 2008 to 1.59 million vehicles.

Editing for Reuters by Carol Bishopric