American Honda sales increased 3.3 percent during 2002 to an all-time record of 1,247,834 while setting eight new records including light truck sales for Honda and Acura divisions and the sale of the world's first fuel cell car certified for commercial use. Record December sales of 100,736, up 10.4 percent compared to 2001, were also achieved, according to figures released by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today.
"We're pleased to set new sales records with minimal incentives in today's ultra-competitive marketplace and uncertain economy," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The Honda Pilot, Odyssey, CR-V and Acura MDX have all become strong pillars inside the brands that provide steady growth while keeping existing customers within the family."
Record 2002 year-end results include:
- Total American Honda vehicle sales of 1,247,834, up 3.3 percent
- American Honda light truck sales of 409,231, up 33.0 percent
- Total Honda division vehicle sales of 1,082,282, up 4.3 percent and an increase for the ninth consecutive year
- Honda division total light truck sales of 356,276, up from an all-time record in 2000 of 266,857
- Honda Odyssey sales of 153,467, up 17.1 percent
- Honda CR-V sales of 146,266, up 23.6 percent
- Honda S2000 sales of 9,684, up slightly
- Acura MDX sales of 52,955, up 29.3 percent
Also significant:
- Honda FCX, the world's first hydrogen fuel cell car certified for commercial use, leased to the City of Los Angeles
Additional highlights for 2002 include the new Honda Element that went on sale December 19 selling 957 units through the end of the month. Brisk December sales of the all-new Pilot SUV reached 8,863, the highest monthly sales yet since it went on sale in June. The City of Los Angeles leased the hydrogen fuel cell-powered Honda FCX in December, which has been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board as a zero emission vehicle.
For December, Honda division sales increased by 14.6 percent to a new record of 88,392 with Accord sales of 31,770 surging by 9.9-percent, Civic sales of 21,493 increasing by 3.2-percent and Odyssey sales of 12,302 increasing by 2.0 percent. December sales of Acura vehicles totaled 12,344, pushing the division's 2002 year-end total to 165,552, slightly behind last year's all-time record.
