Honda Canada Reports Annual Sales for 2012

Civic Remains on Top as Canada's Best-Selling Car for 15^th Consecutive Year;
CR-V Achieves Annual Sales Record and #1 Import SUV Status
Honda Canada Inc. reports best yearly sales since 2008

MARKHAM, ON, Jan. 3, 2013 /CNW/ - With sales of 64,962 units in 2012, Honda Civic retained its position as Canada's best-selling passenger car for an impressive 15th consecutive year, with a wide margin over its nearest competitor.  Since 1973, about 1.7 million Honda Civics have been sold in Canada, making Civic a leader in the Canadian automotive landscape.  All Civics sold in Canada, except the Civic Hybrid, are built at the Honda of Canada Mfg. assembly plants in Alliston, Ontario.

"First and foremost, we thank the thousands of Canadians who supported Honda Civic models this past year, making it the number one selling passenger car in Canada for the fifteenth consecutive year," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc.  "Their vote of confidence in Civic underscores its strong value with top-of-class fuel efficiency, safety features and fun-to-drive personality."

Combined 2012 sales of 148,712 units by Honda and Acura divisions of Honda Canada Inc, is a sizable 21% increase over 2011 and represents the company's best yearly sales results since 2008. The Honda Automobile Division reported 2012 sales of 131,558 units, up 22% over last year and the Acura Division reported annual sales of 17,154 units, up 12% over 2011 sales.

Yearly sales record summary:

• Honda CR-V had a best year with 33,339 sales versus the previous best year in 2011 with 25,076 sales.  This record allowed CR-V to regain its position as the number one-selling import SUV in Canada.
• Pilot had a best year with 5,807 sales versus the previous best year in 2008 with 5,564 sales.
• RDX had a best year with 4,726 sales versus the previous best year in 2007 with 4,104 sales.

"Honda's strong 2012 sales growth can be attributed to both product supply stabilization and successful launches of our core product pillars, namely CR-V, Accord and Civic," said Chenkin.  "Canadian consumers have embraced Honda and Acura products in 2012, which we believe will be sustained, as we continue to launch safe, fun-to-drive and fuel-efficient products in 2013."

Combined December sales of 13,208 units by Honda and Acura divisions of Honda Canada Inc, represented a 19% increase over last year's sales. The Honda Automobile Division reported December sales of 11,405 units, up 20% from last year, led by record sales of Honda Fit (up 982%) Civic (up 21%), Accord (up 179%), CR-V (5%) and Pilot (up 19%). The Acura Division reported December sales of 1,803 units, up 17% from last year, led by strong sales of Acura RDX (up 13%) and MDX (up 52%).

Approximately 96% of the combined Honda and Acura vehicles sold in Canada in 2012 were produced at the company's North American assembly plants, unchanged from 2011.

Honda Canada Inc. has sold more than 3.7 million Honda and Acura passenger cars and light-duty trucks in Canada since 1973.  Honda Canada has invested more than $2.6 billion in Canada, and annually sources nearly $1.1 billion in goods and services from Canadian suppliers.

SOURCE: Honda Canada Inc.

Maki Inoue [phone]