Bangkok--27 Oct--Aziam Burson-Marsteller
Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Honda’s Bangkok-based Asia & Oceania Regional Headquarters, reported that total exports of Honda for all three main product lines namely automobiles, motorcycles and power products in the first 9 months of 2008 grew by 11% with to a total amount of 80,989 million baht while Q3 contributed 25,623 million baht, representing growth of over 4% compared to the same period last year.
Mr. Adisak Rohitasune, Senior Vice President for Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd. disclosed that “Honda’s exports for the first 9 months grew 11% mainly contributed by continuing debut of new products. However, compared with 18% growth in Q2 2008, the export growth is declining caused by several economic difficulties in the international economy including the financial crisis in the US which has affected the entire world, declining sales of large cars in major markets, the uncertainty of oil prices and inflation rates. Meanwhile, the export value of Honda’s products for the full-year 2008 is anticipated to remain higher than last year’s export value.”
Automobile:
Demands for both automobile CBU and CKD remained stable with total exports of automobile CBU and CKD products in the first 9 month increasing by 9% to reach 52,071 million baht. Automobile CBU exports recorded 5% growth from 30,258 to 31,776 million baht. Currently, Honda exports a total of 5 models including CITY, JAZZ, CIVIC, ACCORD and CR-V to more than 34 countries worldwide. Total exports of automobile CKD reached 20,295 million baht representing 17% growth and the key markets include ASEAN, India, Pakistan, Taiwan, China, Turkey and Brazil.
“From late September, we started exporting the new CITY to Singapore and also plan to export to new markets such as Australia. We are confident that the new CITY will be strongly accepted by customers worldwide due to its sophisticated design, high quality and a growing trend of small cars.” added Adisak.
Motorcycle:
The Total motorcycle CBU and CKD export value in Q3 increased by 12% over the same period last year, or 5,492 million baht. Within motorcycle exports, CKD components recorded significant growth of 15% in value, or 5,225 million baht, mainly the result of production expansion in ASEAN countries. For the first 9 months of 2008, total exports of CBU and CKD motorcycles increased 10% in value to 17,184 million baht.
Power Product:
Thailand is Honda’s largest production base of power products for export. Currently, Honda exports a wide range of power products to over 80 countries across the world. Total exports of power products including CBU and CKD components in Q3 2008 slightly declined by 1% in volume to 398,594 units and 4% in value to 2,301 million baht due mainly to overall market declines in the US. However, for the first 9 months, total exports of power products increased by 6% in volume to 1,370,043 units and 2% in value to 7,887 million baht.
Others:
In addition, Honda also exports spare parts, accessories, dies and molds from Thailand to many countries worldwide. Total exports of these products in Q3 2008 grew by 85% in value to reach 1,594 million baht. Dies & molds recorded the highest growth of over 400% in value, contributed by new model productions in many countries across the region. Combined with the first 9 months of 2008, total exports of spare parts, accessories, dies and molds increased by 71% to 3,847 million baht. This proves the important role of Thailand as a regional production base and export hub.
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. As at the end of Q3 2008, Honda in Thailand had to date exported 531,418 million baht worth of automobiles, motorcycles and power products to over 80 countries worldwide.
For more 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]