Bangkok--29 Apr--Aziam Burson-Marsteller Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Honda’s Bangkok-based Asia & Oceania Regional Headquarters, represented by Mr. Adisak Rohitasune, Senior Vice President for Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd. reported that “Honda’s export performance from Thailand in Q1 2008has yielded a strong value of 26,910 million baht in spite of a depreciation of US dollars and rising oil price. Honda believes that the greater international acceptance of products manufactured in Thailand, the expansion into new international markets and the effort in broadening its product line-up have contributed considerably in this success. We expect the total value of exports from Thailand to reach 110,000 million baht by the end of 2008”. Demands for Honda automobile CBU and CKD units remains high, particularly in ASEAN. In the first quarter of 2008, total exports of automobile CBU and CKD products increased 5% by value from 16,214 million baht to 17,089 million baht, with a contribution by the new Honda Accord which has gained strong acceptance from international customers. Honda expects 12% growth by value to reach 72,400 million baht from automobile CBU and CKD exports for the full 2008. To facilitate this achievement, Honda has invested over 6,200 million baht to construct a new plant, which will double automobile production capacity from 120,000 to 240,000 units. Currently, Honda exports the City, Jazz, Civic, Accord and CR-V from Thailand to more than 30 countries worldwide. Total motorcycle CBU and CKD export value in Q1 2008 increased 20% from 4,818 million baht to 5,760 million baht. Exports of motorcycle CBU units increased 62% by value to 572 million baht, with a contribution by new markets in Canada, while exports of motorcycle CKD units enjoyed 16% growth by value to 5,189 million baht, driven largely by market expansion in Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia. Total exports of motorcycle CBU and CKD units are expected to reach 22,400 million baht by the end of 2008. Exports of power products including CBU and CKD components increased 10% from 2,713 million baht to 2,979 million baht in Q1 2008 due to growth in key markets including Indonesia, Japan and Australia. In addition to the three main product lines, exports of spare parts, accessories, dies and molds in the first quarter of 2008 saw a dramatic increase of 63% in value from 662 million baht to 1,082 million baht. This shows the important role of Thailand as a regional production base. It is expected that by the end of 2008, total exports of these products will reach 4,800 million baht, or a 55% increase from 2007. “The continuous growth of Honda exports has shown that Thailand is one of Honda’s most promising and important manufacturing hubs in the world. Currently 15% of Honda products around the world are manufactured in Thailand, which is due to the solid foundation of part suppliers available in the country, our product quality, and continuous entry into new high potential markets. We are very confident that our exports throughout 2008 will meet or exceed our target,” Mr. Adisak concluded. 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. By the end of 2008, Honda in Thailand will have cumulatively exported 560,490 million baht worth of automobiles, motorcycles and power products to over 80 countries worldwide. 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] Saranjit Chuwongkomol Tel. (0) 2252 9871 Email: [email protected]