Honda Powers To New Heights
Published: 4th July 2005
Record UK sales and more awards than ever at the mid year point
Honda is bucking the trend, one of the few car manufacturers to be increasing car sales in a slow market. For the first time in history, Honda (UK) has hit 50,000 sales within the first half of the year - equalling the company’s full year sales figure in 1996.
It’s a result made possible by a dramatic boost in Accord diesel sales, continuing demand for the CR-V and Jazz (the latter up by one fifth this year), and the successful introduction of FR-V.
British-built Civic and CR-Vs continue to account for half of Honda (UK)’s car sales but with diesels taking an increased share (10% of the Civic range and 40% of CR-V). The Civic maintains its status as Britain’s best-selling British-built compact, while the CR-V is the country’s top selling 5-door SUV.
The result elevates Honda to seventh in the UK manufacturers’ sales league, with the Japanese brand outselling marques like Audi, BMW, Citroën and Nissan - and closing in on the likes of Toyota and Peugeot.
Honda’s sales success reflects outstanding results in several consumer studies and magazine awards this year. They include a top ranking for Jazz in the J.D. Power Study, a top ranking of the S2000 in the Auto Express Driver Power Survey, victories for the Accord in both Fleet News Awards and Fleet Excellence Awards, a win for the CR-V in the Diesel Car Awards - plus success for FR-V in the European Tow car of the Year Awards and in the Fleet World Awards.
Honda (UK)’s Head of Sales Phil Crossman said, "This year is shaping up to be the company’s best ever, with a strong performance across the range - and particularly strong demand for our newly introduced diesels. Thanks to our innovative advertising campaign there is greater awareness of the Honda brand, while our cars are now seen as aspirational and exciting, rather than reliable workhorses, as in the past.
"And with the imminent arrival of the FR-V diesel, we’re expecting to further accelerate sales in the second half of the year!" he adds.
