Honda expects to achieve record European car sales during 2005, against the current trend.
The total for cars sold in Europe is forecast to be 285,000 units - an 11 per cent increase on the previous year. The Jazz model has been a key driver in this record year and is expected to reach 80,000 units. In addition, the success of the new CR-V and FR-V models has been crucial.
Honda has now targeted another record year in 2006 and plans to sell 310,000 vehicles, which would represent a further nine per cent increase on this year's total.
The new Civic will play a key role in achieving this ambitious growth target, in particular the European-exclusive 5-door Civic, on sale in the UK in January. Honda will also launch a new petrol-electric Civic Hybrid that has five per cent better fuel economy, 20 per cent more power and is just as practical as the outgoing Civic IMA.
Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) in Swindon has started assembly of the i-CTDi diesel engine, which won International Engine of the Year this year. The plant will also start diesel cylinder-head machining in 2006. This move will see Honda further localising production. HUM is already responsible for building the new 5-door Civic and the CR-V.
Honda is also targeting success in its motorcycles division with the launch of an Italian-made, 4-cylinder touring model - the CBF1000 - and a Spanish-made V-twin touring bike - New Deauville. Both of these models were introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show in October and will complement the new models sourced from Japan, such as the CBR1000RR and the Silverwing400.
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