March 2008 Sales: American Honda Motor Co.

[VenSeattle]

American Honda March Sales Boosted by Record Car Sales

April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire/

Link to Press Release

Fit sets all-time record, Civic sets monthly record

TORRANCE, Calif., April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- American Honda Motor

Co., Inc., posted a March 2008 sales result of 138,734 Honda and Acura

vehicles, an increase of 4.2 percent based on the daily selling rate,* the

company announced today. March 2007 sales results included two additional

selling days and totaled 143,392.

Led by strong sales of the Accord, Civic and Fit, American Honda total

car sales posted record monthly results of 83,214, an increase of 11.1

percent. Year-to-date, American Honda total vehicle sales reached 352,642,

an increase of 0.9 percent.

"The Honda product portfolio is adapting well to the current direction

of the marketplace," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of

American Honda. "People are clearly being more strategic with their money

as parts of the economy seek balance and other parts adjust to record-high

gasoline prices."

The Honda Division posted March sales of 125,446 cars and light-trucks,

an increase of 6.9 percent compared to year-ago results. Fit, up 73.8

percent to 6,835, eclipsed the previous all-time record of 6,450 set in

August 2007. Civic, up 18.6 percent to 32,740, set a new March record,

surpassing the previous mark of 30,037 set in 2000. Civic Hybrid sales

leaped 44.3 percent to 3,769 to a new March record, beating the previous

March record of 2,896 in 2005. Additional highlights include the Accord, up

6.8 percent to 36,214; the CR-V, up 3.9 percent to 18,974; and the Odyssey,

up 3.4 percent to 13,261. Year-to-date, the Honda Division is up 2.8

percent to 315,102.

The Acura Division posted total vehicle sales of 13,288, down 15.8

percent. The MDX luxury SUV was Acura's best-selling model, with March

sales of 4,434. Year-to-date, Acura Division total vehicle sales reached

37,540.

*The daily selling rate is calculated with 26 selling days for March

2008, versus 28 for March 2007. The year-to-date selling rate is calculated

with 76 days through March 2008, versus 77 for 2007. All percentages

contained in this press release represent the daily selling rate.

For more information and downloadable high-resolution images of Honda

and Acura vehicles, please visit http://www.hondanews.com or

http://www.acuranews.com. Consumer information is available at

http://www.honda.com and http://www.acura.com.

American Honda Vehicle Sales For March 2008
                                Month-to-Date              Year-to-Date
                            March    March   DSR**    March    March   DSR**
                            2008     2007    % Chg.   2008     2007    % Chg.
    American Honda Total   138,734  143,392    4.2%  352,642  354,208    0.9%
       Total Car Sales      83,214   80,633   11.1%  201,399  194,550    4.9%
       Total Truck Sales    55,520   62,759   -4.7%  151,243  159,658   -4.0%
          Honda Total Car
           Sales            76,117   70,856   15.7%  181,769  170,413    8.1%
          Honda Total
           Truck Sales      49,329   55,550   -4.4%  133,333  140,134   -3.6%
          Acura Total Car
           Sales             7,097    9,777  -21.8%   19,630   24,137  -17.6%
          Acura Total
           Truck Sales       6,191    7,209   -7.5%   17,910   19,524   -7.1%
    Domestic Car Sales *    60,958   65,194    0.7%  148,395  152,844   -1.6%
       Honda Division       56,689   59,425    2.7%  136,753  139,140   -0.4%
       Acura Division        4,269    5,769  -20.3%   11,642   13,704  -13.9%
    Domestic Truck Sales *  42,508   43,734    4.7%  114,980  112,719    3.3%
       Honda Division       36,317   36,525    7.1%   97,070   93,195    5.5%
       Acura Division        6,191    7,209   -7.5%   17,910   19,524   -7.1%
    Import Car Sales        22,256   15,439   55.2%   53,004   41,706   28.8%
       Honda Division       19,428   11,431   83.0%   45,016   31,273   45.8%
       Acura Division        2,828    4,008  -24.0%    7,988   10,433  -22.4%
    Import Truck Sales      13,012   19,025  -26.3%   36,263   46,939  -21.7%
       Honda Division       13,012   19,025  -26.3%   36,263   46,939  -21.7%
    MODEL BREAKOUTS BY
     DIVISION
    Honda Division Total   125,446  126,406    6.9%  315,102  310,547    2.8%
        Fit                  6,835    4,235   73.8%   15,641    8,837   79.3%
       Accord *             36,214   36,506    6.8%   87,802   92,590   -3.9%
         Memo:  Accord
          Hybrid                53      385  -85.2%      143      945  -84.7%
       Civic *              32,740   29,721   18.6%   77,532   68,140   15.3%
         Memo:  Civic
          Hybrid             3,769    2,813   44.3%    7,322    6,520   13.8%
       S2000                   328      393  -10.1%      794      845   -4.8%
       Odyssey *            13,261   13,805    3.4%   33,697   37,346   -8.6%
       Pilot *              10,168   14,339  -23.6%   31,424   34,081   -6.6%
       CR-V *               18,974   19,658    3.9%   50,684   47,572    7.9%
       Element *             3,207    3,741   -7.7%    8,030   10,126  -19.7%
       Ridgeline             3,719    4,007    0.0%    9,498   11,009  -12.6%
    Acura Division Total    13,288   16,986  -15.8%   37,540   43,661  -12.9%
       RSX                       0       57                1      257  -99.6%
       TL *                  4,269    5,769  -20.3%   11,642   13,704  -13.9%
       TSX                   2,280    3,232  -24.0%    6,648    8,629  -21.9%
       RL                      548      719  -17.9%    1,339    1,547  -12.3%
       MDX *                 4,434    4,785   -0.2%   12,961   13,268   -1.0%
       RDX *                 1,757    2,424  -21.9%    4,949    6,256  -19.9%
    Selling Days                26       28               76       77

      * Honda and Acura vehicles are made of domestic and global sourced
        parts.
     ** Daily Selling Rate

[siegen]

Before anyone says it, yes dropping the RSX was a bad idea. And yes Acura having their two most important model's receive FMC's at the same time is poor model management.

[A Horse With No Name]

Still, the Fit and Civic are doing great. Brother in law of a friend works at Buckeye Honda. During a recent conversation he said that as fas as dicounts go they gave one repeat customer a discount on a Fit of exactly $50 and all of the rest have been at list.

I don't know of many other cars that can make that claim.

Also, while it has taken people time to get used to the new Civic it clearly is a very, very popular car.

Acura will find its way, Honda didn't get to be where it is by being stupid.

Chris

[siegen]

Still, the Fit and Civic are doing great. Brother in law of a friend works at Buckeye Honda. During a recent conversation he said that as fas as dicounts go they gave one repeat customer a discount on a Fit of exactly $50 and all of the rest have been at list.

I don't know of many other cars that can make that claim.

Also, while it has taken people time to get used to the new Civic it clearly is a very, very popular car.

Acura will find its way, Honda didn't get to be where it is by being stupid.

Chris

The new Accord is selling with zero incentives apparently.

[VenSeattle]

The new Accord is selling with zero incentives apparently.

Honda is offering special lease 'incentives' for the Accord. They've been doing it (at least in my region) since the new Accord debuted.

National Offers

2008 Accord Sedan LX Featured Special Lease

$219.00 per month for 36 months. $2,599.00 total due at signing.

Includes down payment with no security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and fees. For well-qualified buyers.

Show Details

FEATURED SPECIAL LEASE: Closed-end lease for 2008 Accord Sedan LX Automatic Transmission (Model CP2638EW) for $219.00 per month for 36 months with a $1,785.00 capitalized cost reduction available to customers who qualify for the AHFC Super Preferred credit tier. Other rates/tiers are available under this offer. $2,599.00 total due at lease signing (includes first month's payment, AHFC upfront acquisition fee and capitalized cost reduction with no security deposit. Total net capitalized cost and base monthly payment does not include tax, license, title, registration, documentation fees, options, insurance and the like). Not all buyers may qualify.

Subject to limited availability. 4/1/2008 through 4/30/2008, to approved lessees by American Honda Finance Corp. Closed end lease for 2008 Accord Sedan LX Automatic Transmission vehicles (Model CP2638EW), for well qualified lessees. Not all lessees will qualify. Higher lease rates apply for lessees with lower credit ratings. MSRP $21,795.00 (includes destination) less the capitalized cost reduction resulting in actual net capitalized cost $18,867.32. Dealer contribution may vary and could affect actual lease payment. Taxes, license, title fees, options and insurance extra. Total monthly payments $7,884.00. Option to purchase at lease end $13,512.90. Lessee responsible for maintenance, excessive wear/tear and 15 cents/mi. over 12,000 miles/year for vehicles with MSRP less than $30,000, but for vehicles with MSRP of $30,000 or more, mileage cost is 20 cents/mi. over 12,000 miles/year. See dealer for complete details.

Hide Details

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2008 Accord Sedan EX Featured Special Lease

$239.00 per month for 36 months. $2,899.00 total due at signing.

Includes down payment with no security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and fees. For well-qualified buyers.

Show Details

FEATURED SPECIAL LEASE: Closed-end lease for 2008 Accord Sedan EX Automatic Transmission (Model CP2678JW) for $239.00 per month for 36 months with a $2,065.00 capitalized cost reduction available to customers who qualify for the AHFC Super Preferred credit tier. Other rates/tiers are available under this offer. $2,899.00 total due at lease signing (includes first month's payment, AHFC upfront acquisition fee and capitalized cost reduction; with no security deposit. Total net capitalized cost and base monthly payment does not include tax, license, title, registration, documentation fees, options, insurance and the like). Not all buyers may qualify.

Subject to limited availability. 4/1/2008 through 4/30/2008, to approved lessees by American Honda Finance Corp. Closed end lease for 2008 Accord Sedan EX Automatic Transmission vehicles (Model CP2678JW), for well qualified lessees. Not all lessees will qualify. Higher lease rates apply for lessees with lower credit ratings. MSRP $24,495.00 (includes destination) less the capitalized cost reduction resulting in actual net capitalized cost $20,966.63. Dealer contribution may vary and could affect actual lease payment. Taxes, license, title fees, options and insurance extra. Total monthly payments $8,604.00. Option to purchase at lease end $15,186.90. Lessee responsible for maintenance, excessive wear/tear and 15 cents/mi. over 12,000 miles/year for vehicles with MSRP less than $30,000, but for vehicles with MSRP of $30,000 or more, mileage cost is 20 cents/mi. over 12,000 miles/year. See dealer for complete details.

Hide Details

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[regfootball]

Still, the Fit and Civic are doing great. Brother in law of a friend works at Buckeye Honda. During a recent conversation he said that as fas as dicounts go they gave one repeat customer a discount on a Fit of exactly $50 and all of the rest have been at list.

I don't know of many other cars that can make that claim.

Also, while it has taken people time to get used to the new Civic it clearly is a very, very popular car.

Acura will find its way, Honda didn't get to be where it is by being stupid.

Chris

give honda credit for hitting a niche with the fit. they are probably the only company smart enough to put out that efficient of a package and get the price they want. thing is, it will become a cult classic like the crx and stuff and still command big resale later.

i don't care for hondas but even i have given the fit a second glance despite no power, cheap dash, and too much price. the cargo room is amazing.

canadiandriver has a side profile pic of the 09 fit. UGLY. so the current one should remain desirable since the new one looks like an oinker.

WHY doesn't GM have a fit clone badged as a CHEVETTE in their stable? this is why GM is getting killed.

still big drops in acura sedan sales. i want to hear the new tsx stereo with some of my dvd-a discs, aside from that, what should i be interested in?

sales up= i think the public is shifting their japan love from toyota to honda now and i think toyos image is just starting to wane. this should get interesting.

[regfootball]

vw and toyota are whoring out their cars on cheap leases so honda has to fight back since the new accord is so ugly, inside and out.

[Guest aatbloke]

"WHY doesn't GM have a fit clone badged as a CHEVETTE in their stable? this is why GM is getting killed."

If Vauxhall ever brought back the Chevette, then they'd achieve the same result by putting a loaded pistol into their own mouths - and more quickly, too.

[regfootball]

i'm just saying reuse the name. by the way, lots of people here had chevettes and they were pretty good cars.

gm needs a car like the fit and could use the chevette name or some other name to do it.

[Intrepidation]

Chevette would be a bad name, the Beat, Groove, or Trax are better names.

[VenSeattle]

Chevette would be a bad name, the Beat, Groove, or Trax are better names.

Agreed... and the concepts weren't bad either.

[pow]

I went car shopping with my aunt and uncle last Sunday... they ended up getting a Polished Metal Metallic Accord EX-L (190 hp) sedan to replace their Odyssey. No incentives for financing/purchasing, though they did get CarsDirect pricing. Camry and Altima were considered - both were substantially cheaper, but neither had the premium "built for the long haul" feel of the Accord. The Malibu had no price advantage, and it was ruled out because the interior was deemed too small.

Edited April 5, 2008 by empowah

[regfootball]

the accord's interior is the big plus, the size, and makes up for the fact that it's an ugly car.