Honda's Strong Overseas Sales Results in Increased Production and Exports

December 24, 2004, Japan

Corporate

December 24, 2004 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced production, domestic sales, and export results for the month of November 2004. Strong sales of newly introduced models such as the all-new Acura RL (known as Legend in Japan) in the U.S. and the Jazz in Europe (known as Fit in Japan) contributed to November increases in domestic production as well as exports from Japan.

Domestic production for the month of November increased 2.4% compared to the same month a year ago. Overseas production increased 20.1% in November compared to the previous year due to increased production of light truck models including the all-new Odyssey in North America and increased production in Asia, especially in China.

Total domestic sales in November declined 1.2% compared to the same month a year ago, while sales of passenger cars and lights trucks increased 8.8% in November. Lower sales of mini-vehicles were due primarily to stabilizing demand for the all-new Life which was introduced in September last year. The Honda Fit was Honda's best-selling car for the month and the industry's second best-selling model for the month with sales of 12,193 units, exceeding sales of the same month a year ago. Honda's second and third best-selling models were the Life and Odyssey, with sales of 10,582 and 5,638 units, respectively.

Total exports registered a major increase in November - up 31.8% compared to the same month a year ago. Strong exports to the U.S. of the all-new Acura RL and the newly introduced Accord Hybrid, and exports to Europe of the Jazz, Accord and new FR-V (known as Edix in Japan) contributed to this major increase.

PRODUCTION, SALES, EXPORTS (November 2004)

PRODUCTION

  November Year-to-Date Total
(Jan - Nov 2004)
Units
Vs.11/03
Units
Vs.2003
Domestic
104,969
+2.4%
1,131,044
+5.8%
Overseas (CBU only)
173,707
+20.1%
1,788,486
+7.8%
Worldwide Total
278,676
+12.8%
2,919,530
+7.0%

OVERSEAS PRODUCTION

  November Year-to-Date Total
(Jan - Nov 2004)
Units
Vs.11/03
Units
Vs.2003
North America
106,519
+10.8%
1,131,445
-3.4%
(USA only)
69,682
+13.1%
746,482
-5.2%
Europe
18,710
+12.0%
179,515
+5.2%
Asia
42,189
+59.0%
410,447
+48.5%
Others
6,289
+19.9%
67,079
+64.4%
Overseas Total
173,707
+20.1%
1,788,486
+7.8%

SALES

Vehicle type November Year-to-Date Total
(Jan - Nov 2004)
Units
Vs.11/03
Units
Vs.2003
Passenger Cars & Light Trucks
35,835
+8.8%
438,746
-0.4%
(Imports)
590
-34.9%
8,387
-55.6%
Mini Vehicles
23,187
-13.5%
236,887
+1.6%
Honda Brand Total
59,022
-1.2%
675,633
+0.3%

EXPORTS (JAPAN)

  November Year-to-Date Total
(Jan - Nov 2004)
Units
Vs.11/03
Units
Vs.2003
North America
21,770
+28.8%
218,161
-2.9%
(USA only)
19,198
+21.5%
197,661
-1.0%
Europe
15,816
+90.3%
133,877
+30.5%
Asia
1,768
-26.1%
16,537
-11.3%
Others
9,108
-0.4%
92,481
+20.5%
Total
48,462
+31.8%
461,056
+9.1%