November 25, 2004 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced production, domestic sales, and export results for the month of October 2004. Overseas production increased again due primarily to record production in Asia, especially in China.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced production, domestic sales, and export results for the month of October 2004. Overseas production increased again due primarily to record production in Asia, especially in China.

Domestic production for the month of October fell 1.5% compared to the same month a year ago, while year-to-date Japanese domestic production continues to exceed the previous annual record by 6.1%. Total overseas production in October increased 3.2% compared to the same month last year due mainly to a 52.6% increase in production in Asia.  The major increase in Asia, especially China, offset a drop in North American production. Production in Asia is now up 47.3% year-to-date to a record 368,258 units.

Total domestic sales in October declined by 23.0% compared to the same month a year ago. This primarily reflects a drop off in record-high sales of the Life which underwent a full model change in the same month one year ago. The Honda Fit was Honda's best selling car and the industry's second best selling model for the month on sales of 11,800 units. Honda's second and third best selling models were Life and Odyssey, with sales of 8,853 and 5,216 units, respectively.

Total exports from Japan increased to October -- up 15.0% compared to the same month last year reflecting an increase in exports to all regions. Exports to the U.S. increased by 13.2% due to strong sales of the CR-V and the all-new Acura RL (known as Legend in Japan), while exports to Europe increased 33.8% due to strong sales of the Jazz (known as Fit in Japan) and the new FR-V (known as Edix in Japan). .

PRODUCTION, SALES, EXPORTS (October 2004)