Honda Sets All-Time Record for Auto Production in the Month of July for Regions Outside Japan and Worldwide

JCN Newswires, August 27, 2008

Tokyo, Aug 27, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced a summary of automobile production, Japan domestic sales, and export results for the month of July 2008, including all-time records for production in regions outside Japan and worldwide for the month of July.

Production

Production in Japan for the month of July 2008 experienced a year-on-year increase for the first time in 11 months (since August 2007).

Production in regions outside of Japan experienced a year-on-year increase for the first time in two months (since May 2008), setting an all-time record for the month of July. This includes record production in North America, the U.S., Asia, and China for the month of July.

Worldwide production experienced a year-on-year increase for the first time in three months (since April 2008), setting an all-time record for the month of July.

Japan Domestic Market Sales

Total Japan domestic market auto sales for the month of July 2008 experienced a year-on-year increase for the first time in five months (since February 2008) due to strong sales of Fit and Freed.

New vehicle registrations experienced a year-on-year increase for the ninth consecutive month (since November 2007).

Sales of mini-vehicles experienced a year-on-year decrease for the fifth consecutive month (since March 2008).

Vehicle registrations - excluding mini-vehicles

Fit was the industry's best-selling car among new vehicle registrations for the month of July 2008, and for the ninth consecutive month (since November 2007) with sales of 16,293 units.

Freed was the industry's fourth best-selling car with sales of 8,948 units.

Mini-vehicles - under 660cc

Life was the industry's sixth best-selling car in the mini-vehicle category for the month of July 2008, with sales of 6,567 units.

Exports from Japan

Total exports from Japan in July 2008 experienced a year-on-year decrease for the third consecutive month (since May 2008).

PRODUCTION, SALES and EXPORTS

Worldwide Production
------------------------------------------------------------
                             July        Year-to-Date Total
                                         (Jan. - Jul. 2008)
                        Units     vs.07    Units    vs.07
Japan                   112,156   14.5%    710,673  -8.2%
Outside of Japan        229,996   19.3%  1,618,969   9.9%
Worldwide Total         342,152   17.7%  2,329,642   3.7%
------------------------------------------------------------
Production Outside of Japan
------------------------------------------------------------
                             July        Year-to-Date Total
                                         (Jan. - Jul. 2008)
                        Units    vs.07    Units     vs.07
North America           112,819   14.7%   856,335    1.9%
(USA)                    77,987   12.7%   596,716    0.0%
Europe                   18,269   -9.1%   143,148    5.6%
Asia                     85,802   28.1%   512,058   18.8%
(China)                  54,900   42.3%   308,477   25.5%
Others                   13,106   77.7%   107,428   61.9%
Overseas Total          229,996   19.3% 1,618,969    9.9%
------------------------------------------------------------
Japan Domestic Market Sales
------------------------------------------------------------
Vehicle type                July         Year-to-Date Total
                                         (Jan. - Jul. 2008)
                        Units    vs.07    Units     vs.07
Registrations           40,441    29.1%   263,845   13.5%
Mini Vehicles           13,547   -10.1%   121,833  -10.2%
Honda Brand Total       53,988    16.4%   385,678    4.8%
------------------------------------------------------------
Export from Japan
------------------------------------------------------------
                            July         Year-to-Date Total
                                         (Jan. - Jul. 2008)
                        Units    vs.07    Units     vs.07
North America           22,390   -31.1%   215,344   -5.5%
(USA)                   21,870   -29.6%   205,909   -4.5%
Europe                  16,811    47.5%    64,266   -9.0%
Asia                     3,879    53.0%    24,567   60.6%
Others                  13,335    -5.8%    73,288  -15.1%
Total                   56,415    -6.9%   377,465   -5.6%
------------------------------------------------------------

About Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (TSE:7267/NYSE:HMC/LSE:HNDA.L) is one of the leading manufacturers of automobiles and power products and the largest manufacture of motorcycles in the world. Honda has always sought to provide genuine satisfaction to people worldwide. The result is more than 120 manufacturing facilities in 30 countries worldwide, producing a wide range of products, including motorcycles, ATVs, generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment and automobiles that bring the company into contact with over 19 million customers annually. For more information, please visit http://world.honda.com .

Source: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.