12.20.07
Year-End Honda Speech - Summary (From TOV)
TOKYO, Japan, December 19, 2007 - The current fiscal year is the last year in the current 3-year mid-term which began in spring 2005. During the last three years, Honda focused on gaining a foothold for the future, and results of such efforts have begun to show in many areas.
Honda will further accelerate its effort to strengthen the core characteristics that make Honda unique in the areas of research and development, production, procurement, sales and marketing on a global basis, with a focus on the following three pillars:
- Strengthening the foundation for global growth
- Strengthening Honda’s effort to reduce its environmental footprint
- Accelerating efforts in Japan to strengthen the core characteristics that make Honda unique
{North America - Automobile}
- 2007 U.S. sales forecast: 1.55 million units (up 3% from 2006)
- 2008 U.S. sales plan: 1.59 million units (up 3% from 2007)
- Sales of the all-new Accord are off to a good start, while sales of Civic and Fit remain strong.
- For cumulative sales from January through November 2007, CR-V and Odyssey were ranked as the best selling vehicles within each respective category.
- Annual production capacity of Honda’s auto
plant in Mexico was expanded from the previous 30,000 units to 50,000 units in September 2007 concurrent with the start of CR-V production. - In fall 2008, Honda’s total annual auto production capacity in North America will be 1.62 million units after a new auto plant in Indiana and a new auto engine plant in Canada begin production.
- The prototype of the all-new Pilot will be introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2008.
Hybrid
- In addition to Civic Hybrid, Honda will introduce a new dedicated hybrid vehicle in 2009. The new dedicated hybrid vehicle will be equipped with a newly developed lightweight and compact IMA (integrated motor assist) system and offered at a more affordable price level base on Honda’s efforts to significantly reduce cost. The worldwide sales plan for this vehicle is approximately 200,000 units annually.
- A new sports hybrid, based on the CR-Z introduced at Tokyo Motor Show, will be sold globally. With this enhanced hybrid product lineup, Honda envisions that hybrid models will account for approximately 10% of Honda’s global automobile sales by around 2010.
Diesel
- The second-generation i-DTEC engine will first be installed to models for European markets in 2008, North America in 2009, and Japan will follow.
Fuel Cell Vehicle and Home Energy Station
- In November 2007, Honda debuted an all-new fuel cell vehicle, FCX Clarity. Lease sales of FCX Clarity will being in summer 2008 in the U.S. and fall 2008 in Japan. In addition to achieving the ultimate clean operation, Honda will offer new value and attractiveness such as future-oriented design and the joy of driving which can be achieved only with fuel cell vehicles.
- In the U.S., Honda has begun experimental operation of the fourth-generation Home Energy Station which is designed to provide fuel for a hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle, as well as cogeneration functions for the home. Honda will continue to advance this technology to achieve a CO2-free society in the future.
VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds )
- In October 2007, Honda became the first automaker to achieve, for all automobile models sold in Japan, an in-vehicle VOC level which is lower than the standard set by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.
Solar Cell
- In October 2007, the new solar cell production plant of Honda Soltec began operation. The annual production is expected to reach the full capacity rate of 27.5 megawatts (an equivalent amount of electricity to power approximately 9,000 houses) by spring 2008.
- Sales of solar cells will be accelerated by increasing the number of distributor locations from the current 80 locations to more than 200 locations within 2008. Moreover, Honda Soltec will establish its business with an eye toward global expansion of sales.
Link to Post: http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=728783
