Gasgoo.com (Shanghai December 1) - Despite tough automobile market conditions this year, foreign manufacturers such as Honda cannot ignore the importance of the country. In an interview with xkb.com.cn, Seiji Kuraishi, chief operating officer for Honda's regional operations in China, hoped that the manufacturer's sales in the country would grow 15 percent next year. This is despite the Japanese earthquake and Thai flood having occurred severely influenced automobile enterprises. Mr. Kuraishi added that Honda would be increasing its research and development done in China.