Bangkok--6 Feb--Aziam Burson-Marsteller Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Honda’s Bangkok-based Asia & Oceania Regional Headquarters, reported that in the face of economic uncertainty in the US, continuing appreciation of the Thai baht and record breaking increases in the price of oil, Honda exports from Thailand in 2007 exceeded 100,164 million baht, a milestone figure that represents a 20% increase over 2006. With a strong product line and great acceptance from global customers, Honda expects the value of its exports from Thailand will grow 12% in 2008, to a total value exceeding 112,100 million baht. Mr. Tatsuhiro Oyama, President and CEO for Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd. stated that, “Honda has been exporting from Thailand since 1987, with the first year’s exports valued at 16 million baht. Over the last 10 years, our Thai exports have grown exponentially from 11,882 million baht in 1998 to 100,164 million baht in 2007. These remarkable results demonstrate the solid foundation of our business operations in Thailand. With continuous investment in all areas of Honda’s operations, including human resource development, advanced-technology manufacturing plants and a sophisticated research & development center, products exported from Thailand have been very well accepted worldwide. By the end of 2007, Honda in Thailand has cumulatively exported 450,429 million baht worth of automobiles, motorcycles and power products, making Thailand one of our most important production and export hubs. We fully expect this trend will continue in the years to come.” The success in 2007’s export performance is mainly led by automobile CBU and CKD units, which grew by 29%, to 64,644 million baht over 2006. The export of Honda motorcycle CBU and CKD components was also very gratifying with a growth of 11%, or a value of 21,651 million baht over 2006. In 2007, automobile CBU exports increased 50% by value from 27,642 million baht to 41,552 million baht (representing 78,798 units). The Civic maintained its position as the best exporting model with 21,533 units, followed by the CR-V and the City with 20,174 and 16,803 units respectively. Positive automobile CBU export performance was driven in part by strong customer acceptance in Australia and ASEAN countries. Based on the excellent acceptance shown by customers in numerous overseas markets, Honda expects its automobile CBU and CKD exports in 2008 to increase 16% by value to a total of over 74,930 baht. Total motorcycle CBU and CKD export value increased by 11%, to 21,651 million baht. Motorcycle CBU exports grew a very impressive 50% by value, thanks to the new CBR 125 exported to Europe, Canada and Australia. There was also respectable performance in motorcycle CKD exports with a growth of 7% by value, supported largely by market expansion in Vietnam and Cambodia. Exports of power products including CBU and CKD components held steady during 2007 despite the baht’s appreciation and the general decline in the US market. Total power products exports amounted to 1,794,034 units, or 10,741 million baht. Honda is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of mobility with advanced technologies. It is the world’s largest manufacturer of clean, fuel-efficient internal combustion engines and the largest manufacturer of motorcycles. With the 2008 projected export amount of 112,100 million baht, Honda in Thailand will have cumulatively exported 562,500 million baht worth of automobiles, motorcycles and power products to over 80 countries worldwide. Media information, please contact: Ref: NR2008-007-060208 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 Pattaphongse Tel. (0) 2252 9871 Email: [email protected]