Confidential.(Briefs)

Automotive News Europe,  March, 2003  

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Honda is hurting in Japan

Honda has had a good start to the year in western Europe, but it is stumbling at home.

In February, Honda posted the biggest drop in Japanese sales of any of Japan's Big 5 carmakers: 21.4 percent. That fall, to 62,596 units, marked the fifth straight month of decline. The slide contrasts with an 11.3 percent leap that Honda reported in a down western European market in February.

One reason: Honda has depended too much on the Fit supermini at home. The Fit - known as the Jazz here - was the 2002 Japanese best seller. But analysts say the Fit has ...

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