April 26, 2004 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced automobile production, sales and export results for the month of March 2004 as well as for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004 (FY04). Honda reached a new all-time record for global auto production of nearly 3 million units in FY04, while overseas production increased for the seventh consecutive fiscal year.
Domestic production for March 2004 increased by 27.3% compared to the same month last year, while the total for FY04 was 12.6% lower compared to FY03.
Total overseas production in March 2004 increased 10.1% compared to the same month last year - highlighted by increased production in Asia and Europe. The FY04 total of approximately 1.8 million units set an all-time record high for Honda, representing a 12.4% increase compared to FY03. For FY04, Honda also set all-time record production totals in North America, the U.S. and Asia. While the overall global production total of approximately 2.99 million units was also the largest in Honda history.
Domestic sales of passenger cars and light trucks in March declined 18.1% compared to the same month last year. However, mini-vehicle sales, including Life, remained strong and increased 20.2% in March and 23.7% in the first three months of 2004 compared to the same period a year ago. Life was Honda's best-selling vehicle in Japan in March with sales of 24,984 units. Odyssey and Fit also remained strong, with sales of 15,081 units and 20,075 units respectively. Overall FY04 domestic sales were 16.1% lower than the previous fiscal year.
With an increase in shipments to Europe (+74.2%), Asia (+7.7%) and North America (+6.0%), total exports in March increased 22.7% compared to the same month last year. Total exports for the first thee months of 2004 were also 7.3% higher than a year ago. Total exports for FY04 were 2.5% lower than for FY03.
<Honda Automobile Production, Sales And Exports>
Production
| **Fiscal Year 2004 | March 2004 | Year-to-date Total Jan - Mar 2004 |
||||
| Units | vs. FY03 | Units | vs.3 /03 | Units | vs.2003 | |
| Domestic | 1,182,024 | -12.6% | 124,624 | +27.3% | 320,221 | +3.6% |
| Overseas (CBU only) | 1,809,314 | +12.4% | 177,394 | +10.1% | 477,244 | +2.6% |
| Worldwide Total* | 2,991,338 | +1.0% | 302,018 | +16.6% | 797,465 | +3.0% |
*excludes overseas CKD
**(April/01/2003~March/31/2004)
Regional Production
| **Fiscal Year 2004 | March 2004 | Year-to-date Total Jan - Mar 2004 |
||||
| Units | vs. FY03 | Units | vs.3 /03 | Units | vs.2003 | |
| North America | 1,234,366 | +3.3% | 116,559 | -0.9% | 318,140 | -7.2% |
| (U.S. only) | 824,838 | +3.3% | 77,346 | -3.3% | 210,442 | -8.9% |
| Europe | 185,579 | -0.4% | 18,009 | +13.2% | 52,706 | +1.7% |
| Asia | 185,579 | +57.6% | 35,879 | +43.9% | 89,878 | +41.3% |
| Others | 54,458 | +239.0% | 6,947 | +168.3% | 16,520 | +138.3% |
| Regional Total | 1,809,314 | +12.4% | 177,394 | +10.1% | 477,244 | +2.6% |
Domestic Sales
| Vehicle type | **Fiscal Year 2004 | March 2004 | Year-to-date Total Jan - Mar 2004 |
|||
| Units | vs. FY03 | Units | vs.3 /03 | Units | vs.2003 | |
| Passenger Cars & Light Trucks |
462,6324 | -23.2% | 63,924 | -18.1% | 137,995 | -11.1% |
| (Imports) | (17,356) | (+38.1%) | (1,340) | -53.2% | (2,976) | (-45.7%) |
| Mini Vehicles | 269,781 | -0.4% | 36,238 |
+20.2% | 76,733 | +23.7% |
| Honda Brand Total | 732,413 | -16.1% | 100,162 | -7.4% | 214,728 | -1.2% |
Exports
|
**Fiscal Year 2004 | March 2004 | Year-to-date Total Jan - Mar 2004 |
|||
| Units | vs. FY03 | Units | vs.3 /03 | Units | vs.2003 | |
| North America | 243,575 | -15.7% | 20,449 | +6.0% | 61,618 | +2.4% |
| (U.S. only) | 218,605 | -14.5% | 17,978 | +16.7% | 55,308 | +5.4% |
| Europe | 121,089 | +31.7% | 13,029 | +74.2% | 36,165 | +8.6% |
| Europe | 18,760 | -37.7% | 989 | +7.7% | 3,070 | -33.6% |
| Others | 90,577 | +20.9% | 6,225 | +13.7% | 21,739 | +34.5% |
| Total | 474,001 | -2.5% | 40,692 | +22.7% | 122,592 | +7.3% |