Honda China Aug sales up 16% to 44,920 units

Honda Motor Co. said Tuesday its sales in China rose 16% in August to 44,920 units from 38,726 units a year earlier.

Sales in the January-August period rose 12.9% to 349,379 units from 309,562 units a year earlier, the Japanese auto maker said in a statement.

Sales of its City subcompact car, made by its joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., were especially strong, more than tripling to 9,072 units in August from 3,011 units a year earlier, it said.

However, sales of the joint venture's Fit subcompact car fell 42.2% in August to 3,428 units from 5,930 units a year earlier, it said.

The company didn't provide any explanation of the sales figures.

Sales of the CRV sport-utility vehicle, made by its joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Corp., rose 30.9% in August to 9,247 units from 7,062 units a year earlier, the statement said.