Bangkok--24 Jun--Aziam Burson-Marsteller
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. will further enhance the autonomy of environmental management in each of its six regions — North America, South America, Europe, Asia & Oceania, China and Japan — as a part of the transformation of its global operations, which was announced at the CEO press conference held in September 2012.
In 1995, Honda established the World Environment and Safety Committee which discusses and determines plans for environmental conservation activities and reviews the implementation of such activities on a global level. In 2010, based on the recognition that environmental issues are a critical concern that impacts its business operations, the President & CEO became the chair of the World Environment and Safety Committee, and the COO in charge of each region began chairing each regional environment committee. Under this structure, Honda has been committed to environmental initiatives in each region striving to attain regional targets and goals that were set based on the globally shared environmental policies and technologies. Starting with this fiscal year, Honda will strive to further reduce its environmental footprint by accelerating unique regional environmental efforts in various areas including development, production and sales which better fit with the environmental regulations, standards and issues unique to each country and region.
Asia & Oceania:
Progress made during 2012 Agendas for 2013 onward
(Jan. 2012 - Dec. 2012)
? Start of local production of hybrid vehicle (Jazz Hybrid) ? Market introduction of the Amaze equipped with the all-new i-DTEC diesel engine in India (Apr. 2013)
July 2012 in Thailand, October 2012 in Malaysia ? Third motorcycle production plant becomes operational in India (May 2013)
? Market introduction of E85 fuel/CNG models in Thailand Being a green factory designed based on the concept of “Joy to the Next Generation”, the new plant features advanced environmental technologiessuch as using rainwater for more than 30% of its annual water consumption.
The CityCNGwas introduced in Thailand in September 2012. E85 models expanded sequentially to the Civic, CR-V and Accord.
? Supra X125 Helm-in PGM-Fi received the Cleanest Emissions Award (Indonesia)
? Improved the fuel economy of motorcycle models
Dream Yuga (India), Click125i (Thailand)
Japan:
Progress made during 2012 Agendas for 2013 onward
(Jan. 2012 - Dec. 2012)
? Announced Honda Smart Home System-equipped houses used for demonstration testing in Saitama City (Apr. 2012) ? Market introduction of i-MMD- equipped Accord Hybrid (Jun. 2013) (i-MMD intelligent Multi-Mode Drive)
? Start of lease sales of Fit EV (Aug. 2012) ? Yorii Plant starts operation (Jul. 2013)
? Expansion of energy diversification products The plant features a 2.6 MW capacity solar panel system and highly functional painting technology with a shortened process.
The EU9iGP, a propane gas-powered generator, went on sale in August 2012 to accommodate increasing demand for an emergency electric power source in case of disaster. ? Increasing number of solar panels installed at dealership locations
? Honda Motor Co., Ltd. agreement with TDK Corporation and Japan Metals & Chemicals Co., Ltd. (JMC) The original plan was to install solar panels with a total capacity of 1 MW before the end of the current fiscal year (ending March 31, 2014). As of today, the total capacity of solar panels installed has already reached 1.3 MW.
To jointly pursue the reuse of a rare earth metal extracted from nickel-metal hydride batteries in hybrid vehicles for magnets of new hybrid vehicle motors.
Note: Additional information relating to this press release is available at http://www.hondanews.info/en/ (The site is intended exclusively for the use of journalists.)