Bangkok--24 Jul--Aziam Burson-Marsteller Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Honda’s Bangkok-based Asia & Oceania Regional Headquarters, announced that exports from Thailand for the second quarter of 2008 were up 18% over the same period last year, reaching a value of 28,521 million baht. With the strong growth in Q2, total export value in the first six months of 2008 grew 14% over the same period last year to 55,553 million baht. “The reasons behind Honda’s continuing success include recognition of Thailand as a source of high-quality manufactured goods, the introduction of new and exciting Honda products and continuing expansion into new international markets,” said Mr. Adisak Rohitasune, Senior Vice President for Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd. “However, in the face of several macro-economic difficulties in the international economy, including record-high oil prices, increasing inflation and a weak US economy, the target for this year is becoming challenging.” Demands for both automobile CBU and CKD units continued to be strong in international markets. Total exports of automobile CBU and CKD products in Q2 increased 25% by value to 18,812 million baht. Honda CBU exports were exceptionally strong with 27% growth, driven in large part by the success of the all new Jazz that was introduced in May. Combined with Q1, total exports of CBU and CKD automobiles in the first half of 2008 were up 15% by value to 36,023 million baht. Currently, Honda exports the City, Jazz, Civic, Accord and CR-V from Thailand to more than 30 countries worldwide. Total motorcycle exports, both CBU and CKD, remained virtually flat in Q2 with a growth of 1% by value, or 5,932 million baht. Within motorcycle exports, CBU exports declined to 376 million baht due primarily to weakness in key markets in Europe while CKD exports increased by a solid 9% in value, or 5,556 million baht, supported by continuing strong demand from ASEAN markets. However, combined with Q1, total exports of CBU and CKD motorcycles in the first half of 2008 increased 9% by value to 11,692 million baht. Thailand is Honda’s primary global exporter of power products and currently exports a wide range of Honda power products to over 80 countries across the world. Exports of power products including CBU and CKD components in the Q2 slightly increased 3% by volume to 448,291 units and 1% by value to 2,607 million baht. Combined with Q1, total exports of Honda power products in the first six months of 2008 were up 8% by volume to 971,449 units and 5% by value to 5,586 million baht. Q2 2008 exports of Honda spare parts, accessories and dies & molds were particularly strong, achieving a 61% increase by value over Q2 2007 to reach 1,171 million baht. Among the products in this category, dies & molds had the highest growth, gaining 368% in value over last year. Combined with Q1, total exports of spare parts, accessories and dies & molds in the first half of 2008 significantly increased 62% to 2,252 million baht. These important products are exported to many countries in the Asia and Oceania region. The great success of these exports reflects the key role that Thailand plays as a regional Honda production base. Remark: Others include spare parts, accessories, dies & molds. “The ongoing increase in Honda exports clearly demonstrates that Thailand is one of Honda’s strongest and most important manufacturing bases in the world today. Currently 15% of Honda products around the world are manufactured in Thailand, and we remain confident that this percentage will increase in the years ahead, given the country’s strong part manufacturing base, excellent work force and ability to adapt quickly to changing market conditions. Based on Honda’s performance for the first half of the year, total exports for 2008 are anticipated to reach 110,000 million baht.” 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. Honda started exporting from Thailand in 1987. By the end of 2008, Honda in Thailand will have cumulatively exported 562,027 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]