Honda China Jan sales up 16.8% to 38,022 units

Honda Motor Co. said Tuesday its sales in China in January rose 16.8% to 38,022 units from 32,564 units a year earlier.

Sales by Guangzhou Honda Automobile Co., Honda's 50-50 joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., rose 29.5% to 23,503 units from 18,147 units in January 2008, the Japanese auto maker said in a statement.

The venture's sales were boosted by a 37.7% jump in sales of the Accord sedan, and a huge increase in Odyssey minivan sales.

Sales in January by Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co., a 50-50 venture with China's Dongfeng Motor Corp., rose 0.7% to 14,519 units from 14,417 units a year earlier.

Sales of the Civic hurt the joint venture by falling 24.4%, but sales of the CR-V sport-utility vehicle helped it by rising 40.7%, the statement showed.