Honda tops sales target, readies 15 new or redesigned models
Honda Motor Co. sold more than 1 million vehicles in China last year, beating its 2015 target of 950,000 cars and light trucks, the company said on Monday.
Honda said it will release detailed sales figures for 2015 on Friday.
Japanese marques have trailed Western competitors such as General Motors, Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Co. in the world's largest auto market, in part because of anti-Japanese sentiment that periodically flares among Chinese consumers.
But Honda and Toyota Motor Corp. regained momentum last year, posting strong sales growth largely on the back of popular crossovers and helped by improving relations between the countries. Toyota is to report 2015 full-year sales results on Tuesday.
Honda and Toyota posted double-digit sales growth in the first 11 months of 2015. Their full-year growth is expected to contrast sharply with the overall market, which is predicted to grow 3 percent this year.
Aiming to maintain its momentum, Honda said it will introduce 15 new or redesigned models, including eight tweaked for China, in the next three years. One model will be a new budget crossover, a segment that is outpacing the overall market. The crossover will go on sale in 2016.
Honda's 2015 overall sales volume in China is still set to trail rivals Toyota and Nissan Motor Co., which both topped 1 million sales in the first 11 months of 2015.
Japanese marques have trailed Western competitors such as General Motors, Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Co. in the world's largest auto market, in part because of anti-Japanese sentiment that periodically flares among Chinese consumers.
But Honda and Toyota Motor Corp. regained momentum last year, posting strong sales growth largely on the back of popular crossovers and helped by improving relations between the countries. Toyota is to report 2015 full-year sales results on Tuesday.
Honda and Toyota posted double-digit sales growth in the first 11 months of 2015. Their full-year growth is expected to contrast sharply with the overall market, which is predicted to grow 3 percent this year.
Aiming to maintain its momentum, Honda said it will introduce 15 new or redesigned models, including eight tweaked for China, in the next three years. One model will be a new budget crossover, a segment that is outpacing the overall market. The crossover will go on sale in 2016.
Honda's 2015 overall sales volume in China is still set to trail rivals Toyota and Nissan Motor Co., which both topped 1 million sales in the first 11 months of 2015.
