Honda Motor has reported a year-on-year production decrease in Japan for the second consecutive year but said increased output in Asia meant production in regions outside Japan rose for the 12th consecutive year.
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Its global production also rose for the 12th consecutive year – by 1.2% to 3,957,381.
Honda said it had also set calendar year production records for regions outside Japan, worldwide production, plus production in Asia and China. The overseas output tally was 2,692,994, up 4.4%.
But, in common with rival Japanese automakers reporting on Wednesday, Honda’s December 2008 production fell – off 7.5% globally to 277,294 units, the third consecutive monthly drop. Production outside Japan was down 11% to 169,180 and domestic output fell for the second consecutive month.
Domestic auto sales, however, rose for the first time in four years in calendar year 2008 (by 0.4% to 624,499) due mainly to strong sales of the Fit (Jazz) and Freed, Honda said. Sales of minivehicles fell for the second consecutive year – by 10.2% to 200,928. The Fit was the industry’s best-selling car in 2008 with 174,910 units.
Domestic sales in December fell for the second consecutive month by 18.5% to 45,759.
Calendar year exports fell for the first time in five years (-8.5% to 650,308 units).
December exports fell for the third consecutive month to 51,893, off 17.5%.
