January 27, 2003 -- Honda Motor Co., Ltd., announced today that its domestic sales increased 4.6% and passenger car and light truck sales were up 7.9% in 2002, the best year ever for the company in both categories.
The annual sales record of 902,658 units was highlighted by Honda's Fit sub-compact, which became the best-selling vehicle in Japan in 2002. It was the fourth consecutive year of growth in both overall sales and the third consecutive year of growth in the passenger car-light trucks category.
Domestic production, meanwhile, was up 7.9% in 2002 setting a new record. Overall production also grew, increasing 8.0% worldwide in December, and 9.4% for 2002. Overseas production grew 14.8% in December, and 10.8% for the year.
Domestic sales in December were off 2.3%. The Fit ,however, again posted strong sales totaling 22,098 units. For the year, 250,790 Fits were sold in Japan. In December, Honda's Life mini- vehicle (11,869 units), Mobilio (8,381 units) and Accord (6,386 units) also enjoyed brisk sales.
Mini vehicle sales were down 14.5% in December, and down 1.9% for 2002.
Export shipments from Japan in December were up sharply again, gaining 22.7%, mainly because of increased shipments to Europe and North America.
Honda Production, Sales And Exports - December 2002
PRODUCTION
| Dec. Units | Vs. 12/01 | Annual Total Units | Vs. 2001 | Fiscal Total Units | Vs. 01/4-12 | |
| Domestic | 114,381 | + 2.5% | 1,386,379 | + 7.9% | 1,042,834 | + 7.3% |
| Overseas (CBU only) |
103,767 | + 14.8% | 1,514,408 | + 10.8% | 1,145,427 | + 13.7% |
| Worldwide Total(*) | 218,148 | + 8.0% | 2,900,787 | + 9.4% | 2,188,261 | + 10.5% |
(*)-except overseas CKD
REGIONAL PRODUCTION
| Dec. Units | Vs. 12/01 | Annual Total Units | Vs. 2001 | Fiscal Total Units | Vs. 01/4-12 | |
| North America | 75,527 | + 11.7% | 1,113,755 | + 4.5% | 833,708 | + 7.0% |
| (USA only) | 51,698 | + 16.9% | 752,737 | + 8.4% | 567,218 | + 11.4% |
| Europe | 12,402 | + 31.6% | 176,698 | + 54.8% | 134,453 | + 52.4% |
| Asia | 13,106 | + 27.4% | 173,417 | + 27.4% | 138,622 | + 35.8% |
| Others | 2,732 | - 11.4% | 50,538 | - 1.0% | 38,644 | + 1.4% |
| Regional Tot. | 103,767 | + 14.8% | 1,514,408 | + 10.8% | 1,145,427 | + 13.7% |
SALES
| Vehicle type | Dec. Units | Vs. 12/01 | Annual Total Units | Vs. 2001 | Fiscal Total Units | Vs. 01/4-12 |
| Passenger cars & light trucks | 55,334 | + 3.3% | 613,959 | + 7.9% | 447,121 | + 2.9% |
| (Imports) | 1,706 | + 61.1% | 9,786 | + 8.0% | 7,090 | - 3.0% |
| Mini vehicles | 21,201 | - 14.5% | 288,699 | - 1.9% | 208,710 | - 0.7% |
| TOTAL | 76,535 | - 2.3% | 902,658 | + 4.6% | 655,831 | + 1.7% |
EXPORTS
| Dec. Units | Vs. 12/01 | Annual Total Units | Vs. 2001 | Fiscal Total Units | Vs. 01/4-12 | |
| North America | 27,042 | + 6.1% | 299,021 | + 8.2% | 228,743 | + 20.3% |
| (USA only) | 24,461 | + 3.7% | 266,254 | + 4.7% | 203,357 | + 15.3% |
| Europe | 8,484 | + 91.3% | 73,186 | + 18.3% | 58,656 | + 31.6% |
| Asia | 1,382 | - 1.1% | 31,685 | + 5.5% | 25,487 | + 23.5% |
| Others | 6,745 | + 59.2% | 71,904 | + 51.7% | 58,790 | - 5.3% |
| TOTAL | 43,653 | + 22.7% | 475,796 | + 14.5% | 371,676 | + 30.2% |