Honda Sets All-Time Records for Overseas and Worldwide Production For the First Half of a Fiscal Year

October 24, 2006, Japan

Corporate

October 24, 2006 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd., today announced its summary of automobile production, domestic sales, and export results for the first half of fiscal year 2007 (April to September 2006) and for the month of September 2006.

<Production>
First Half of FY2007 (April - September 2006)
For the third consecutive year since FY2005, worldwide production increased during the first half of FY 2007 over the same period of the previous year. Honda set an all-time record for worldwide production for the first half of the fiscal year.

Due to an increase in production of exports, for the third consecutive year since FY2005, domestic production increased during the first half of FY2007 over the same period of the previous year.

Based on production increases in Asia and North America, for the tenth consecutive year since FY1998, overseas production increased compared to the same period of the previous year. Honda set an all-time record for overseas production for the first half of the fiscal year, including record production in North America and Asia.

September 2006
For the fourteenth consecutive month since August 2005, worldwide production increased in September over the same month a year ago. Honda achieved a new monthly record for the month of September.

Due to an increase in production of exports, it is the fourth consecutive month since June 2006 for a year on year increase in domestic production.

Based on production increases in Asia and North America, for the fourteenth consecutive month since August 2005, overseas production increased compared to the same month a year ago. Honda achieved a new monthly record for overseas production for the month of September, including record production in North America. Production in Asia also set an all-time monthly record.

<Domestic sales>
First Half of FY2007 (April - September 2006)
Total domestic sales declined for the first time in the last three years (since FY2004).

New vehicle registrations declined for the first time in the last three years (FY2004) due to decreased sales of Air Wave and Step Wagon.  

Based on increased sales of Zest, which launched in March, mini vehicle sales increased for the third consecutive year since FY2005, compared to the same period of the previous year.

September 2006
As a result of increasing sales of mini vehicles, total domestic sales increased over the same month a year ago for the first time in the last six months (since March 2006).

Due to decreased sales of Air Wave and Step Wagon, it is the sixth consecutive month, since April 2006, for a decline in new vehicle registrations.

Due to an increase in sales of Zest and Life, it is the seventh consecutive month since March 2006 for a year on year increase in mini vehicle sales.


<Vehicle registrations - excluding mini vehicle>
For the first time in the last nine months (since December 2005) Fit ranked as the industry's best selling car among new vehicle registrations for the month of September, with sales of 11,068 units.  Stream, which was re-modeled in July, was the industry's fourth best selling car among new vehicle registration for the month of September, with sales of 10,187 units.  

<Mini vehicle - under 660cc>
Life ranked as the industry's third best selling vehicle among mini vehicles, with sales of 12,998 units, ranking Honda's best selling car for the month of September.  Zest, which has enjoyed strong sales, ranked as the industry's seventh best selling vehicle among mini vehicles for the month of September, with sales of 7,365 units.


<Exports>
First Half of FY2007 (April - September 2006)
Due mainly to an increase in exports to North America, it is the third consecutive year since FY2005 for total exports to increase over the same period of the previous year.  Strong sales of the Fit and CR-V contributed to this increase.

September 2006
Due primarily to increased exports for North America, total exports increased for the fourth consecutive month year on year since June 2006.

Production

  *1st Half
Fiscal Year 2007
September Year-to-Date Total
(Jan-Sep 2006)
Units
vs.2006
Units
vs.9/05
Units
vs.2005
Domestic
637,557
+5.7%
119,014
+2.3%
967,140
+1.7%
Overseas
(CBU only)
1,155,566
+5.8%
199,932
+6.6%
1,731,677
+7.1%
Worldwide Total
1,793,123
+5.8%
318,946
+5.0%
2,698,817
+5.1%

*(April 01, 2006 - September 30, 2006)

Overseas Production

  *1st Half
Fiscal Year 2007
September Year-to-Date Total
(Jan-Sep 2006)
Units
vs.2006
Units
vs.9/05
Units
vs.2005
North America
686,424
+2.3%
115,152
+3.8%
1,049,540
+3.6%
(USA only)
479,438
+2.2%
80,186
+1.1%
737,866
+4.7%
Europe
91,333
-2.1%
16,967
-4.9%
143,202
+0.7%
Asia
329,072
+14.4%
59,068
+13.1%
468,606
+16.3%
(China only)
179,975
+23.6%
35,997
+34.5%
253,411
+28.0%
Others
48,737
+21.7%
8,745
+33.9%
70,329
+20.9%
Overseas Total
1,155,566
+5.8%
199,932
+6.6%
1,731,677
+7.1%

*(April 01, 2006 - September 30, 2006)

Japan Domestic Sales

Vehicle type *1st Half
Fiscal Year 2007
September Year-to-Date Total
(Jan-Sep 2006)
Units
vs.2006
Units
vs.9/05
Units
vs.2005
Registrations
197,166
-17.4%
45,644
-11.5%
318,255
-11.5%
Mini Vehicles
149,358
+21.2%
31,634
+34.1%
212,515
+11.5%
Honda Brand Total
346,524
-4.2%
77,278
+2.8%
530,770
-3.6%

*(April 01, 2006 - September 30, 2006)

Exports

  *1st Half
Fiscal Year 2007
September Year-to-Date Total
(Jan-Sep 2006)
Units
vs.2006
Units
vs.9/05
Units
vs.2005
North America
171,721
+41.8%
32,681
+79.3%
256,907
+31.9%
(USA only)
153,418
+42.3%
31,400
+95.5%
229,909
+32.7%
Europe
57,411
-16.2%
7,517
-7.4%
97,592
-7.0%
Asia
8,886
+8.5%
1,668
+4.1%
13,782
+7.2%
Others
61,784
+10.1%
6,031
-44.8%
87,165
+7.6%
Total
299,802
+18.1%
47,897
+23.3%
455,446
+15.7%

*(April 01, 2006 - September 30, 2006)