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Honda Business Brief - January 2004
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Date: January 29, 2004 06:40
Submitted by:
JeffX
Source:
Honda UK PR
Credibility Rating:
Not Specified
GLOBAL NEWS
Honda's Global Car Production Sets New Record
Overseas car production for 2003 grew by 18.8% to a record of 1,797,375 led by strong growth in Asia (+65.1%) and North America(+11.1%). This is the seventh consecutive year this figure has increased.
Global production grew by 2.4% to a record 2,968,316 vehicles. Details of regional production are shown in the following table
REGIONAL PRODUCTION
|
December |
Annual Total 2003 |
|
Units |
vs.12/02 |
Units |
vs.2002 |
North America |
86,381 |
+14.4% |
1,237,544 |
+11.1% |
(USA only) |
(58,187) |
(+12.6%) |
(845,314) |
(+12.3%) |
Europe |
14,042 |
+13.2% |
184,702 |
+4.5% |
Asia |
32,069 |
+138.7% |
308,545 |
+65.1% |
Others |
5,516 |
+70.8% |
66,584 |
+85.9% |
Total Overseas |
138,008 |
+31.9% |
1,797,375 |
+18.8% |
Japan |
101,591 |
-11.2% |
1,170,941 |
-15.5% |
Total |
239,599 |
+9.4% |
2,968,316 |
+2.4% |
EUROPEAN NEWS
- Honda's 2003 European car sales outperform the market
For the CY 2003, Honda's European car sales rose 11% to 217,469, against a market fall of 1.3%. For the month of December, a remarkable 19.7% increase in sales to 12,092 was achieved against a market fall of 1.8%. The improvement was lead by the new Accord up 93.5%, to 34,887*, the Jazz up 24.5%, to 54,182* and the CR-V up 9%, to 37,524*. For a detailed breakdown, see table at end of Business Brief.
*Honda estimates
- Honda Achieves Record Car Production in the UK
Honda's European car plant in Swindon, UK achieved record production of 184,702 cars in 2003, up 4.5% on the previous year. This factory now plays an important role in Honda's Global Supply Network, with 86,412 cars being exported outside of the region, 77,532 CR-Vs to the USA, 8,482 Civic 3 Doors to North America and 398 Civic 3 Door to Japan.
TECHNOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT
- Honda to Launch Accord Petrol Hybrid as 3rd Hybrid Model in USA
This year, Honda will introduce a V6 powered petrol-electric hybrid Accord in the USA. Using Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system in combination with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) it will deliver an even higher level of performance than the already powerful 240-horsepower Accord V6 Sedan with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder, compact-class Civic. This will increase the line up of Honda hybrid models to three, joining the Honda Civic and Insight. VCM technology, developed by Honda, deactivates three of the engine's six cylinders under certain conditions - such as cruising - to deliver greater fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance.
- New Honda FCX with Honda Fuel Cell Stack
Honda will launch a Honda FCX fuel cell vehicle with a Honda-developed fuel cell stack in 2005,in Japan and the US offering increased performance and fuel efficiency, reduced cost and the ability to start in below freezing temperatures as low as -4?F. Honda has overcome cold weather starting and operation which was a significant technical barrier to the mass-market application of fuel cell technology.
OTHER REGIONS
- Honda Sport Utility Truck (SUT) Concept to be Built in North America in 2005
The Honda SUT Concept that debuted at the 2004 North American International Auto Show will be the basis for an all-new vehicle scheduled for introduction to the North American in 2005. Taking advantage of its unibody underpinnings, the Honda SUT Concept offers superior packaging efficiency, ride comfort and handling dynamics compared with traditional truck-based vehicles.
- The SUT Concept features a refined and spacious cabin with seating for five adults and a 5-foot long cargo bed. A high performance, high torque, all-aluminum VTEC V-6 engine achieves ultra-low emissions and class-leading fuel efficiency. Abundant safety features include advanced handling stability, side curtain airbags with rollover sensors, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), front-side airbags with the Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), four-wheel anti-lock brakes and pedestrian safety features.
- The all-new SUT will be produced by Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) in Alliston, Ontario. With the start of production of the all-new '05 Odyssey in Autumn 2004, all Odyssey minivan production will shift from HCM to Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA) in Lincoln, Alabama. HMA's new No. 2 production line in Alabama will start mass production in April 2004, with the Honda Pilot. The all-new Odyssey will also be introduced on HMA's No. 2 line, but at a later date.
- Honda and Acura Brands Set All-time Annual Auto Sales Records in the USA
American Honda sales rose 8.2% in 2003 to an all-time record of 1,349,847 Honda and Acura cars and light trucks. Both the Honda and Acura brands also recorded all-time record results for the year. The Honda Division achieved record total vehicle sales of 1,178,929 units, up 8.9% -- including all-time record sales of Odyssey (154,063 units), Pilot (106,917 units) and Element (67,478 units). Record Acura sales of 170,918 units for the full calendar year topped the previous best of 170,469 units set in 2001, led by record sales of the Acura MDX of 57,281 units, up 8.2%, and the all-new TSX and TL performance luxury sedans. Combined Honda and Acura light truck sales reached a record of 529,718, up 29.4%.
Honda Car Sales in Europe
MODEL |
Dec 03 |
Dec 02 |
03/02% |
Jan-Dec 03 |
Jan-Dec 02 |
03/02% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jazz |
3,096 |
2,701 |
14.6 |
54,182 |
43,531 |
24.5 |
Civic - All Models |
3,789 |
3,836 |
-1.2 |
77,606 |
78,646 |
-1.3 |
(Civic IMA Hybrid) |
(193) |
(0) |
- |
(983) |
(0) |
- |
Stream |
94 |
259 |
-63.7 |
2,655 |
5,909 |
-55.1 |
Accord - All Models |
2,498 |
267 |
935.6 |
34,887 |
18,030 |
93.5 |
Legend |
10 |
1 |
1000.0 |
109 |
191 |
-42.9 |
CR-V |
2,116 |
2,262 |
-6.5 |
37,524 |
34,416 |
9.0 |
HR-V |
419 |
691 |
-39.4 |
8,206 |
11,412 |
-28.1 |
S2000 |
49 |
54 |
-9.3 |
2,081 |
2,531 |
-17.8 |
Insight |
0 |
0 |
---- |
4 |
51 |
-92.2 |
Other models |
21 |
33 |
-36.4 |
215 |
1,141 |
-81.2 |
? |
Total Europe* |
12,092 |
10,104 |
19.7 |
217,469 |
195,858 |
11.0 |
EU produced |
5,497 |
6,091 |
-9.8 |
110,099 |
121,713 |
-9.5 |
*Honda tentative estimates
Last edited by JeffX on
January 29, 2004 06:53
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