Bangkok--19 Dec--Aziam Burson-Marsteller Honda announces 2007 business performance in Thailand, annual exports grow by 19% Thailand strengthens its key role as Honda’s hub for Asia & Oceania region. Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Honda’s Bangkok-based Asia & Oceania Regional Headquarters, today announced its 2007 business performance in Thailand, with a 19% increase in exports of motorcycles, automobiles and power products. Honda also strengthened Thailand’s key role as the company’s hub for the Asia & Oceania region with the opening of several new facilities and especially demonstrated its commitment to Thailand’s automotive industry by being the first manufacturer to have its Eco-car project plan approved by the Board of Investment. In June 2007, Asian Parts Manufacturing (Thailand) began producing and exporting spare parts for Honda automobiles around the world. In July, Honda also expanded its motorcycle R&D center in Thailand by investing more 900 million Baht. This was followed by an announcement to invest 6.2 billion Baht in a second automobile plant that will begin operation in late 2008, doubling Honda’s annual production capacity from 120,000 to 240,000 units. An increase in capacity at Honda’s CBU stock yard at Laem Chabang Port further enhanced Thailand’s role as a hub for vehicle exports during the year. “With a long-term partnership with Thailand of more than 43 years for both domestic sales and exports, we achieved key milestones in 2007 in terms of three core products. This year our cumulative total production for motorcycles reached 15 million units, power products reached 10 million units and automobiles reached one million units,” said Mr. Tatsuhiro Oyama, President & CEO, Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd. “By committing to the Eco-car project, we see good potential for broadening our range of exports while meeting Honda’s goal to be the world’s most environmentally-responsible automotive manufacturer.”Solid growth in exports The total export value of all Honda products for 2007 will exceed 98,800 million Baht,a 19% increase over 2006. Of this amount, automobile exports will reach around 63,900 million Baht, representing 65% of the total export value. Motorcycle exports account for approximately 21,200 million Baht, or 21% of total export value. Honda’s power product exports will be worth some 10,600 million Baht, which is 11% of the total export value. Spare parts and accessories will make up the remaining 3% of exports for the year, which accounts for 3,100 million Baht. Automobile CBU exports had the most significant growth for 2007, increasing 35% by volume and 48% by value. By the end of this year, the total export of Automobile CBUs is expected to reach 77,400 units worth around 40,800 million Baht. This growth was mainly driven by market expansion in Australia, the Philippines and Indonesia. The Honda Civic was the best-selling export model, followed by the latest generation CR-V. Motorcycle CBU exports also remained strong during the year, with growth of 25% by volume and 48% by value. By the end of 2007, total exports of Motorcycle CBUs will increase to 31,300 units, compared to 24,999 last year. Exports of Honda’s new CBR 125R motorcycle to Europe and new markets in Australia and Canada were the key factors behind this growth. Both automobile and motorcycle CKD exports will show a slight increase for 2007. The export of power products is expected to reach 1,768,896 units, or around 10,600 million baht in value.New models appeal to the Thai market A key highlight of 2007 was the launch of the completely redesigned, E20-compatible Honda Accord in November. Bookings for the new Accord are expected to reach 2,500 by the end of the year. Thailand was the first market in Asia & Oceania to offer the new Accord, which will roll out across other markets in the region during 2008. Honda’s sales volume for motorcycles will reach around 1.13 million units for 2007 and Honda expects to maintain the same level for next year. New models launched during 2007 included the Click Play, Wave X-Series, and Icon.Being a good corporate citizen Honda reinforced its commitment to good corporate citizenship throughout 2007. The Honda 31 Legs United Race took place for the third year. Thirty teams of school children from across Thailand will join the final competition on January 12, 2008. Under its “Follow The King's Path with Honda” program, Honda has been encouraging schools nationwide to develop initiatives to preserve the environment. Six schools from across Thailand are being selected as finalists during December, and the winning schools will be announced early next year. Inspired by ASIMO, Honda’s advanced technology humanoid robot, the third annual “Honda ASIMO Super Idea Contest” took place during 2007. The six students who won for their unique inventions have just returned from an educational tour to Japan and exchange program with Japanese children. Honda plans to expand this contest to other Asia & Oceania countries in 2008.New version of ASIMO gets enhanced The new version of ASIMO made its Asia & Oceania debut at the F.T.I. Fair in September this year. In December 2007, ASIMO was enhanced with advanced intelligence technologies that enable it to move smoothly by predicting the movement of oncoming people, adjust tasks to different situations and work together in coordination with other units, and automatically recharge its battery. These constant improvements are bringing ASIMO closer to being ready for practical use in a real-world environment. ASIMO is now touring the Asia & Oceania region to demonstrate its capabilities and will return to Thailand early next year.Honda and motor sports Rathapak Virairoj, sponsored by A.P. Honda, was the first Thai racer to take part in the 250 cc World Motorcycle Grand Prix Championship. He finished 17th in the 2007 championship standings. A.P Honda will continue to support Rathapak for the 2008 racing season. In 2007, Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd. organized five rounds of the “Honda One Make Race” and will continue this activity next year. Media information, please contact: Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Anjali Jalichandra Tel. (0) 2236-0256 ext 1500 Email: [email protected] Waraporn Pongpaiboon Tel. (0) 2236-0256 ext 1552 Email: [email protected] Aziam Burson-Marsteller Satida Sritunyatorn Tel. (0) 2252 9871 Email: [email protected] Nattakarn Chamsuwanwong Tel. (0) 2252 9871 Email: [email protected]