Shanghai, November 14 (Gasgoo.com) Honda Motor Co has held a ceremony at its Chinese joint venture in Guangzhou to mark the shipping of the 100,000th Jazz car to Europe since the car was produced in the plant in 2005, the Xinhua news agency reported Thursday.
Speaking at the ceremony Honda Chief Executive Takeo Fukui said he has "great confidence" in the future of the business Honda has been pursuing in China.
"The recent financial crisis has set in motion a headwind that is blowing against the global economy. However, I have great confidence in the future growth of the export plant based on our brand reputation in Europe for high quality," Mr. Fukui said.
"I hope the plant will lead the Chinese automobile industry by establishing the experience of exporting automobiles to advanced automobile nations. In so doing, we will further enhance the reputation of China-made automobiles around the world," added him.
Honda expects to export to Europe this year 45,000 units of the Jazz cars, made by its China joint venture Honda Automobile (China) Co Ltd, up from 43,000 units a year earlier.
The venture is 65% owned by Honda, 25% by Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. and 10% by Dongfeng Motor Group Co. It employs 1,100 workers currently, makes Jazz subcompact cars exclusively and exports them to 21 countries in Europe.
