Honda first-half sales may be better than forecast

Honda Motor Co., Japan's second- biggest carmaker, may post better-than-forecast first-half results on sales in China and at home, Chief Executive Officer Takanobu Ito said.

Ito declined to say whether the company will post a loss or a profit for the six months ended Sept. 30 in an interview in Tokyo today. The company has forecast a 10 billion yen ($111 million) operating loss for the period.

Honda raised its full-year profit forecast on July 29 as government stimulus measures in its largest markets boosted demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. The Tokyo-based carmaker expects net income of 55 billion yen in the year ending March 31, compared with an earlier forecast of 40 billion yen.