Fri, 21 Sep 2012 04:36:29 GMT | By AP

Honda aims to double global auto sales in 5 years

Tokyo: Honda is aiming to double its global auto sales to more than 6 million vehicles over the next five years as the Japanese automaker gears up for ambitious growth after bouncing back from last year’s disasters.

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Honda aims to double global auto sales in 5 years (© AP)

"We have now reached the stage of going on the offensive," Honda Motor Co. president Takanobu Ito told reporters Friday, as he announced his worldwide target for the fiscal year ending March 2017. The automaker sold 3.1 million vehicles for the fiscal year through March 2012.

The remodelled Fit subcompact, which will be rolled out globally starting next year and sold as the Jazz in some regions will also help boost growth, Ito said at Tokyo headquarters. The Fit range of cars will also include a new small sport-utility vehicle, he said.

Mr. Ito said model development will get quicker at Honda as its engineers in all regions take part in the effort from the start, while adapting designs and other features to customer needs in each market.

Japanese automakers have been bouncing back from the global production disruptions caused by the disaster in north-eastern Japan and Thai floods last year that froze parts supplies.

(Continued)

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