Honda bucks U.S. downturn, sales up 1.1% in June

July 1, 2008 - 11:19 am ET
UPDATED: 7/1/08 3:05 p.m. EDT


American Honda Motor Co. bucked the downturn in U.S. sales in June and
posted a 1.1 percent gain over June 2007. Honda sold 142,539 vehicles in
June, a new monthly record. For the first half of 2008, Honda sales rose 4.1
percent from last year to 798,358.

But Honda's upscale Acura division faltered in June with sales of 12,456,
down 16.4 percent from 16,766 last June. Acura said it sales are down 14.3
percent for the first half of the year compared with the first half of 2007.

Meanwhile, Honda's fuel-efficient Fit hatchback posted an all-time sales
record of 10,003, while the Civic also posted a new June sales record with
39,074 sold.

Honda's total figures in this story are not adjusted for sales days per
month. Honda's own figures, including the Acura numbers, include such an
adjustment.

PRESS RELEASE: American Honda Reports Record Sales in June

Fuel-efficient Fit sets all-time record; Civic and Acura TSX set June
records


TORRANCE, Calif., July 1, 2008 - American Honda Motor Co., Inc., today
announced total June sales of 142,539, up 13.8 percent on a
daily-selling-rate basis(1), setting a new record for the month. Reflecting
a shifting automotive marketplace, total car sales set a new June record for
the first time since 1990 at 97,639, up 34.2 percent versus last year.
Year-to-date American Honda sales are up 4.8 percent to 798,358.

"Staying true to our core values is allowing Honda to weather the storm of
rising gas prices and help consumers find shelter in our products," said
Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. "Our factories
are doing everything they can to produce the fuel-efficient models consumers
are desperately in need of."

Honda Division sales rose 17.9 percent over last year to a new June record
of 130,083, driven by record car sales which increased 41.4 percent to
89,947. The fuel-efficient Fit posted its best month ever with sales of
10,003, up 100.5 percent, while Civic hit a new June record, up 23.1 percent
to 39,967, and Accord rose 54.5 percent to 39,704. Honda Division
light-truck sales of 40,136 reflect a decrease of 14.2 percent. Honda
Division sales are up 7.4 percent to 720,444, year-to-date.

Acura Division sales totaled 12,456. Sales of the completely redesigned 2009
TSX sports sedan increased 27.5 percent and set a new June record of 3,869.

(1) All percentages in this release reflect the daily selling rate as
calculated with 24 days for June 2008, versus 27 for 2007. Year to date, the
daily selling rate is calculated with 153 days for 2008, versus 154 for
2007.

For more information about Honda vehicles, please visit www.honda.com. For
media inquiries, please go to www.hondanews.com. For more information about
Acura vehicles, please visit www.acura.com. For media inquiries, please go
to www.acuranews.com.

View this release on hondanews.com