Honda records 50.8% YoY slump in Mar. China deliveries, while boasts surge over Feb.

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Honda announced there were 60,441 consumers in China taking delivery of its vehicles in March, a year-on-year slump of 50.8%. As the coronavirus pandemic has been diminished countrywide, the Japanese automaker saw the March retail sales skyrocket 435.4% compared to February.

(Photo source: GAC Honda)

With 32,205 vehicles delivered, GAC Honda clocked a 50.1% year-over-year plunge last month. Dongfeng Honda's retail sales were also more than halved from a year ago to 28,236 units.

During the first quarter of 2020, Honda handed over a total of 221,984 vehicles in the world's largest auto market, 33.8% fewer than that of a prior-year period. Of those, 116,348 units (-35.7%) were the contribution of GAC Honda; Dongfeng Honda delivered 105,636 vehicles, posting a decrease of 31.5%.

Dongfeng Honda was a bit outsold by GAC Honda in part because it is headquartered in the hardest-hit city Wuhan. In 2019, the joint venture with Dongfeng Motor delivered 788,916 vehicles, versus 765,517 units sold by GAC Honda.

(Photo source: Dongfeng Honda's WeChat account)

The Wuhan-based automaker had suspended its operation and production for around 50 days until it kicked off work resumption on March 11. It goes without saying that the company's production and sales were hit hard by the nearly two-month-long shutdown. With the abatement of COVID-19 infection in the city, Dongfeng Honda's complete vehicle plants, first-tier suppliers and dealerships have basically resumed full operation up until now, and the situation will be better off after the all-compassing lockdown is ended on April 8.

As of March, the Japanese company only achieved 14.3% of the 1.55 million-unit annual sales target it set for China market, but it has not lowered the goal even though the virus influence will continue for some time.

Honda plans to roll out in China such new products as the fourth-generation Fit, the Crider Hybrid, the mid-cycle refresh for the Avancier and the Civic hatchback.