American Honda Posts 11th Consecutive Year of Record Sales in 2007 [1.3.8]

[T Mac]

01/03/2008 - TORRANCE, Calif. -

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., today announced record sales results for the 11th consecutive year. Sales from both Honda and Acura Divisions totaled 1,551,542 and pushed American Honda annual sales up 2.5 percent, based on the daily selling rate*. The results also mark the company's 14th consecutive year-over-year sales increase. American Honda's December sales totaled 131,792 vehicles, a slight increase versus December, 2006.

2007 American Honda sales highlights:

* Record total vehicle sales of 1,551,542 (up 2.5 percent)
* 11th consecutive yearly sales record
* 14th consecutive year-over-year sales increase
* Record light-truck sales of 669,327 (up 0.3 percent), representing 43 percent of total vehicle sales
* Individual vehicle sales records for Honda CR-V, Fit, Civic Hybrid and Acura RDX

"This was definitely a challenging year to be in the car business, and 2008 isn't likely to be a piece of cake," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. "Honda continues to benefit from its position as the most fuel-efficient car company in America**, and we have some great new products coming in the new year that will keep our momentum going."

Honda Division posted its 14th consecutive year-over-year sales increase, up 4.5 percent in 2007 to 1,371,438 vehicles. Annual Accord sales increased 10.3 percent to 392,231. CR-V annual sales of 219,160 increased 28.5 percent and set a fourth consecutive yearly record. Fit sales of 56,432 increased 101.4 percent. Civic Hybrid sales set an annual record for the sixth consecutive year with an increase of 3.9 percent to 32,575. Setting December monthly sales records were the CR-V, with sales of 18,659, up 7.6 percent; Civic with sales of 27,190, up 15.2 percent; Civic Hybrid, with sales of 3,223, up 33.8 percent; and Fit, with sales of 5,118, up 129.3 percent.
"The all-new Accord is off to a smoking start, and three Honda models set all-time records for 2007," said Colliver. "Offering fuel efficiency and value along with a fun driving experience continues to be a recipe for success."

2007 Honda Division sales highlights:

* 12th consecutive record Honda Division sales of 1,371,438 (up 4.5 percent)
* 14th consecutive year-over-year sales increase
* Record full-year sales of CR-V, Fit and Civic Hybrid
* Accord sales increased 10.3 percent for the year, to 392,231 units

2007 Acura total year end sales reached 180,104 vehicles, and for a second consecutive year, Acura light trucks posted record year-end sales, eclipsing 2006 by 29.1 percent. December sales of all Acura models rose dramatically over November with TL recording 5,988 sales, MDX posting 5,906 sales, TSX logging 2,838 vehicles and RDX posting 2,263 units for the month.

*The daily selling rate is calculated with 307 days for 2007, versus 306 for 2006. Both December, 2006 and 2007 included 26 selling days.

**Based on model year 2006 CAFE average fuel economy ratings and weighted sales for passenger-car and light truck fleets sold in the U.S. by major manufacturers.