American Honda Reports Record September Sales

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Total September Honda and Acura automobile sales increased 11.7 percent over last year to 121,163 units, and shattered the previous record of 93,779 set in 2003. Driven by September's 22.5 percent increase in Honda car sales, American Honda's year-to-date sales continue on a record-setting pace of 1,112,917 cars and light trucks, increasing 6.4 percent over last year on a daily selling rate basis, putting the company in line for a 12th straight year of sales increases. Record September Civic sales of 30,165 units were up 36.9 percent, bolstered by strong consumer response to the mid-month introduction of the completely redesigned 2006 Civic Sedan and Coupe models. "The new 2006 Civic is off to a fantastic start and is already having a positive impact on our sales volume," said Richard Colliver, executive vice president of Honda sales. "With fuel prices at record levels, the timing is perfect for the introduction of a Civic that gets 40 miles per gallon." Honda also sold an all-time record number of hybrid vehicles, with September sales increasing 180.3 percent to 4,351 and year-to-date sales increasing 79.4 percent to 35,552. The popular Civic Hybrid had best-ever September sales of 1,916, up 24.8 percent over last year, and Accord Hybrid posted its best sales month ever at 2,352. The Honda Division posted its fourth consecutive record month, with an increase of 13.4 percent to 104,529 cars and light trucks, while its year-to- date sales grew 5.7 percent to 952,208 units. Sales of Honda's best-selling Accord model increased 11.7 percent in September to 33,884, and the Odyssey minivan posted record September sales of 12,347, an increase of 29.6 percent. Acura Division posted its 23rd consecutive record month with a 2.2 percent increase to 16,634 in September, and year-to-date Acura sales are up 10.2 percent to 160,709. Record September TSX sales increased 4.8 percent over last year to 2,960, and the RL had its best September since 1997 with sales of 1,552.