Dongfeng Honda to launch first self-developed auto model in 2011

Shanghai September 19 (Gasgoo.com) Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co., Ltd., a joint venture between Dongfeng Motor Corp., China's third largest automaker, and Honda Motor Co., will launch its first self-developed auto model in the second half of 2011, its executive vice general manager Chen Binbo said in an interview with bitauto.com recently.

The new A-Class model will likely be based on the platform of Honda Civic, according to early reports.

Aside from that, Dongfeng Honda will launch another three models to the Chinese market before 2012, which might include an MPV model, Chen Binbo said.

While the company has no plan to exhibit any new model at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show, Chen added, saying all efforts will instead be put on expansion of channel network, improvement of marketing competitiveness and boosting market share of the above three models, especially the Civic.

The company is currently building its second plant in China, which has a planned capacity of 240,000 vehicles and will bring the joint venture's total production capacity to 480,000 vehicles, Chen said, asking:" If there is no any new product, how can the company achieve a capacity of 480,000 units?"

Moreover, Chen said he thinks that the company needs probably more than six models if it expects to attain the goal, and it is impossible to just count on the existing three models: the CR-V, Civic and Spirior.

Dongfeng Honda plans to sell 240,000 vehicles in China this year and it has by far sold 190,000 units, so there should be no problem for it to accomplish the full-year sales target of 240,000 units. The company is actually pressing ahead for 260,000 units now.