July 27, 2004 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced production, domestic sales and export results for the month of June and the first six months of 2004. Honda set an all-time record during the first six months of the year with worldwide production of more than 1.56 million units.

Domestic production increased 9.9% in June compared to the same month last year, with the total for the first six months of the year increasing by 4.3% from the same period a year ago. Overseas production also increased 9.2% in June due mainly to a major increase in the Asia region. This is the eighth consecutive year in which overseas productions has increased during the first half of the year, dating back to 1997. Significantly, Honda set all-time 6-month records for both overseas production (955,532 units) and worldwide production (1,560,625 units) led by record high production totals in Europe (99,633 units) and Asia (203,736 units) for the first half of the year.

Total domestic sales were down slightly in June and in the first half of 2004, by 0.7% and 0.8%, respectively. Sales of passenger cars and light trucks have slowed, while sales of mini-vehicles remained strong -- up 14.6% for the first six months of 2004 -- with June the ninth consecutive month for increased mini-vehicle sales. The Honda Life mini-vehicle was Honda's best-selling car for the first half of 2004 with sales of 86,978 units, a 36.8% increase from the same period last year. Sales of the new Odyssey grew 304.6% compared to the first half of the previous year on sales of 60,919 units. Sales of Fit, Mobilio and StepWGN remained strong, on sales of 69,000 units, 30,829 units, 24,389 units, respectively.

Total exports in June increased 8.7% compared to the previous year due primarily to increased exports to North America (4.6%) and to other areas such as the Middle East and Oceania (41.9%). Exports increased by 5.2% for the first six months of 2004.

PRODUCTION, SALES, EXPORTS (June 2004)