Shanghai. December 20 (Gasgoo.com) - Japanese automaker Honda Motor Co. said Wednesday the company would increase its China sales by 17 percent to 490,000 units next year, a target that is 10,000 units more than the automaker's current capacity in China.
Currently, Honda has a total annual capacity of 480,000 units in China: Dongfeng Honda, where Honda CR-V and Honda Civic are made, has total capacity of 120,000 units and Guangzhou Honda, where Honda Accord, Fit are made, has a total capacity of 360,000 units.
In addition, Honda also have a 50,000 capacity to produce Honda Jazz in Guangzhou, but these vehicles are made for exports, therefore excluded in Honda's capacity in China.
"Honda will able to sell 420,000 vehicles by this year end, up 27 percent year on year," Honda President Takeo Fukui told reporters at a news conference in Tokyo, adding that he expects to take back the No.1 position in the middle-high segment of Chinese car market by selling 180,000 new Accord vehicles next year.
Globally, Honda sales are expected to rise six percent this year to a record 3.76 million vehicles from 3.55 million vehicles in 2006.