Bangkok--28 Jul--Aziam Burson-Marsteller
Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., today announced that total exports of Honda’s products from Thailand in the first half of 2009 totaled 31,392 million Baht, or a decline of 43% from the same period last year. Honda anticipates that the export trend will begin to improve in Q3 and Q4 as the global economy continues to stabilize and various national economic stimulus programs begin to show results. The Company expects 2009 exports to total 71,000 million Baht or a year-on-year decline of 32%.
Mr. Fumihiko Ike, President & CEO, Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., said that, “Though global economic conditions are changing drastically, Honda remains focused on the needs of our customers, the commitment to be at the forefront in advanced technology including environmental solutions and regional product development to ensure that they are competitive in the global market. For example, we have recently been exporting motorcycle knock-down sets including engine assemblies and PGM-FI units to Japan. For automobiles, we have been exporting the Honda City to new markets in Europe, contributing to an increase in the number of export destinations from 24 to 46 countries worldwide, compared to the previous (City) model. As a result of these efforts to penetrate important new markets, we believe our exports will improve in the second half of this year.”
Automobiles:
In the first half of 2009, the total value of Honda’s automobile CBU and CKD exports was 18,541 million Baht, a decline of 49% over the same period last year. For automobile CBU, volume dropped 51% to 18,806 units. Overall the City, Civic and Jazz have had relatively good export performance with a total amount of 15,980 units accounting for 85% during the first half. This indicates the global trend favoring smaller vehicles. Presently, Honda exports five models from Thailand which are the City, Jazz, Civic, Accord and CR-V to over 40 countries worldwide.
Motorcycles:
While demand for motorcycles continued to be reduced as a result of the macro-economic situation, Honda predicts that effective economic stimulus packages in several Asian markets will lead to improved motorcycle exports in the second half of the year. In the first half the total value of Honda exports of motorcycle CBU and CKD declined by 38% to 7,192 million Baht.
Power Products:
In the face of economic difficulties, the recognized high quality of Honda’s products has helped it expand power product exports within the Asian region during the first half. Exports of power products declined 37% by volume to 611,829 units and 32% by value to 3,772 million Baht, driven largely by steep demand declines in key markets including the U.S. and European nations.
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 2009, Honda in Thailand estimates it will have cumulatively exported over 625,990 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]
Jaruwan Vorarakthananun Tel. (0) 2252 9871 Email: [email protected]