Product mix, product development process, product differentiation strategy & all marketing mix activities of HONDA CITY

1. LOVELY PROFESSIONAL
UNIVERSITY
TERM PAPER OF
ESSENTIALS
OF MARKETING
Write product mix, product development
process, product differentiation strategy & all
marketing mix activities of HONDA CITY
I O N AL
F E SS
PR
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L O V E LY
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RS
LOV
ITY
P R O F E S S IO N A L
PU
N JA B ( I ND
IA )
U N IV E R S IT Y 2008
SUBMITTED BY:
AMIT KUMAR
BBA-MBA (3RD)
R346B51
AMIT KUMAR
3020070044
BBA-MBA (3 ) RD
R346B51
S U B M I T T E D T O - M S . S30020070044 J
ONALI PUN

2. Lovely professional university term paper of marketing
CONEENTS:
Topic Pg. no.
Acknowledgement…………………………………………………4
Introduction of company………………………………………….5
History of company………………………………………………..6
Profile of company………………………………………………...7
Headquarter & logos……………………………………………...8
Corporate profile………………………………………………….9
Economic record & safety………………………………………10
Brands…………………………………………………………….11-12
Trends…………………………………………………………….13
Services……………………………………………………….......14-15
 Honda product site………………………………………..14
 Honda financial service…………………………………...14
 For owners…………………………………………………15
 Locate a dealer…………………………………………….15
Environmental leadership………………………………………..15-16
 Honda thinking in a action………………………………..15
 Environmental technology overview……………………..15
 Environmental vehicles……………………………………16
Product development…………………………………………….16-18
 Idea generation……………………………………………16
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 Screening………………………………………………………16
 Concept development & testing……………………………...16
 Business analysis……………………………………………...17
 Product & marketing mix development…………………….17
 Market testing…………………………………………………17
 Commercialization…………………………………………….18
Product development by Honda…………………………………….18
 Honda jazz……………………………………………………..18
 Production………………………………………………………18
Product mix…………………………………………………………....19
Product differentiation……………………………………………….19
 Motorcycle……………………………………………………...19
 Automobile………………………………………………..……20
 Downhill mountain biking……………………………….……20
 Honda jet………………………………………………………20
Marketing & sales…..………………………………………………..21
References…………………………………………………………..….22
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
No task is a single man’s effort Co-operation and Co-ordination of various people at various
places go into the successful implementation. It is a great pleasure to have opportunity to extend
my heart-felt thanks to everybody who helped me through the successful completion of this
project.
It would be prudent to commence this term paper with a sincere tribute to all those who played
an indispensable role in the accomplishment of this work and obliged whenever and wherever
their able guidance was required.
I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude to Ms. Sonali Punj, (Faculty guide) for
providing me regular guidance, full cooperation, support and encouragement throughout the
project. Under his experienced teaching and guidance, my knowledge has increased resulting in
achieving better results.
AMIT KUMAR
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HONDA
INTRODUCTION
Honda Motor Company, Limited is a multinational corporation, engine manufacturer and
engineering corporation headquartered in Japan.
The company manufactures automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, scooters, robots, jets and jet
engines, ATV, water craft, electrical generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment,
and aeronautical and other mobile technologies. Honda's line of luxury cars is branded Acura in
North America, Hondura in the Honduras and Hongda in China. More recently they have
ventured into mountain bikes.
Honda is the 5th largest automobile manufacturer in the world as well as the largest engine-
maker in the world, producing more than 14 million internal combustion engines each year. As
of August 2008, Honda surpassed Chrysler as the 4th largest automobile manufacturer in the
United States. Currently, Honda is the second largest manufacturer in Japan behind Toyota and
ahead of Nissan.
Honda is headquartered in 1-1, Minami-Aoyama Nichome, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Their shares
trade on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange, as well as exchanges in
Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Kyoto, Fukuoka, London, Paris and Switzerland. American Honda
Motor Co. is based in Torrance, California. Honda Canada Inc. is headquartered in the
Scarborough district of Toronto, Ontario, and is building new corporate headquarters in
Markham, Ontario, scheduled to relocate in 2008. Hero Honda, a joint venture between India's
Hero Group and Honda, is the largest manufacturer of two wheelers in the world. Honda of
Canada Manufacturing is based in Alliston, Ontario. Honda has also created joint ventures
around the world, such as Honda Siel Cars India Ltd, Hero Honda Motorcycles India Ltd,
Guangzhou Honda and Dongfeng Honda Automobile Company in China and Honda Atlas Cars
Pakistan.
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History of the company.
Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) was formed in 1982. The company combines participation in
motorcycle races throughout the world with the development of high potential racing machines.
Its racing activities are an important source for the creation of leading edge technologies used in
the development of Honda motorcycles. HRC also contributes to the advancement of motorcycle
sports through a range of activities that include sales of production racing motorcycles, support
for satellite teams, and rider education programs.
Soichiro Honda, being a race driver himself, could not stay out of international motorsport. In
1959, Honda entered five motorcycles into the Isle of Man TT race, the most prestigious
motorcycle race in the world. While always having powerful engines, it took until 1961 for
Honda to tune their chassis well enough to allow Mike Hailwood to claim their first Grand Prix
victories in the 125 and 250 cc classes. Hailwood would later pick up their first senior TT wins
in 1966 and 1967. Honda's race bikes were known for their "sleek & stylish design" and exotic
engine configurations, such as the 5-cylinder, 22,000 rpm, 125 cc bike and their 6-cylinder 250
cc and 380 cc bikes.
1979 saw Honda return to Grand Prix motorcycle racing with their exotic, monocoque-framed,
four-stroke NR500. The NR500 featured elongated cylinders each with 8 valves and with
connecting rods in pairs, in an attempt to comply with the FIM rules which limited engines to
four cylinders. Honda engineered the elongated cylinders in an effort to provide the valve area of
an 8-cylinder engine, hoping their four-stroke bike would be able to compete against the now
dominant two-stroke racers. Unfortunately, it seemed Honda tried to accomplish too much at one
time and the experiment failed. For the 1982 season, Honda debuted their first two stroke race
bike, the NS500 and in 1983, Honda won their first 500 cc Grand Prix World Championship with
Freddie Spencer. Since then, Honda has become a dominant marque in motorcycle Grand Prix
racing, winning a plethora of top level titles with riders such as Valentino Rossi and Mick
Doohan.
In motocross, Honda has claimed 6 million motocross world championships. In the World
Enduro Championship, Honda has won six titles, most recently with Stefan Merriman in 2003
and with Mika Ahola in 2007 and 2008.
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PROFILE:
Type: Public
(TYO: 7267) & (NYSE: HMC)
Founded September 24, 1948
Founder(s) Soichiro Honda
Headquarters Minato, Tokyo, Japan
Area served Worldwide
Key people Satoshi Aoki (Chairman)
Takeo Fukui (CEO)
Industry Automobile
Truck manufacturer
Motorcycle
Products Automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, ATVs,
electrical generators, robotics, marine equipment,
jets and jet engines, and lawn and garden
equipment. Honda and Acura brands.
Market cap US$ 58.74 Billion (2008)
Revenue ▲ US$ 119.801 Billion (2008)
Operating income ▲ US$ 9.513 Billion (2008)
Net income ▲ US$ 5.989 Billion (2008)
Total assets ▲ US$ 125.916 Billion (2008)
Total equity ▲ US$ 45.356 Billion (2008)
Employees 167,231 (Sep 2008)
Website Honda.com
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AOYAMA BUILDING. HONDA’S HEAD OFFICE
LOGO OF HONDA’S POWERSPORTS LOGO OF HONDA’S AUTOMOBILE.
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CORPORATE PROFILE
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. operates under the basic principles of "Respect for the Individual" and
"The Three Joys" — commonly expressed as The Joy of Buying, The Joy of Selling and The Joy
of Creating. "Respect for the Individual" reflects our desire to respect the unique character and
ability of each individual person, trusting each other as equal partners in order to do our best in
every situation. Based on this, "The Three Joys" expresses our belief and desire that each person
working in, or coming into contact with our company, directly or through or products, should
share a sense of joy through that experience.
In line with these basic principles, since its establishment in 1948, Honda has remained on the
leading edge by creating new value and providing products of the highest quality at a reasonable
price, for worldwide customer satisfaction. In addition, the Company has conducted its activities
with a commitment to protecting the environment and enhancing safety in a mobile society.
The Company has grown to become the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer and one of the
leading automakers. With a global network of 501 subsidiaries and affiliates accounted for under
the equity method, Honda develops, manufactures and markets a wide variety of products,
ranging from small general-purpose engines and scooters to specialty sports cars, to earn the
Company an outstanding reputation from customers worldwide.
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ECONOMIC RECORD
With high fuel prices and a weak US economy in June 2008, Honda has reported a 1% sales
increase while its rivals including the Detroit Big Three and Toyota have reported double-digit
losses. Analysts have attributed this to two main factors. First, Honda's product lineup consists of
mostly small to mid-size, highly fuel-efficient vehicles. Secondly, over the last ten years, Honda
has designed its factories to be flexible, in that they can be easily retooled to produce any Honda
model that may be in-demand at the moment. Honda's sales were up almost 20 percent from the
same month last year. The Civic and the Accord were in the top five lists of sales.
SAFETY
Safety of passengers and pedestrians is a first priority for Honda. With the new City, safety
features are now a standard offering across the entire range of Honda in the Indian market The
new Honda City comes fully loaded with various active and passive safety features including
ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) with Brake Assist (BA), Dual SRS airbags, pre-tensioner seat
belts and G-CON (G-Force Control Technology) body with a crush-proof survival zone. The
front body structure of the new Honda City ensures advanced pedestrian safety features.
The all new City features an Advanced Integrated Audio System - which is the world’s first car
audio exclusive to digital media. This advanced Audio system offers consumers the liberty to
integrate with any of the newer technologies like iPod, MP3player, USB Memory, cell phone
with MP3 Player. The system promises a high quality sound with advanced functionalities. The
audio system comes with steering mounted controls & separate remote control.
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BRANDS.
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These are Honda's aggressive recent trend of offering a whole lot more for a little bit less since
the Civic, technologically, ergonomically wise, the New City could even rival that of the new
Toyota Corolla, discounting interior room of course.
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TRENDS
A regular trend that started on the Fourtrax that would not carry over to the four strokes was the
use of aftermarket frames. Stock frames on most mass produced quads are made of mild steel
and, though suitable for recreational use, will quickly develop cracks when raced. Without new
quads available after the 1989 model year, stronger replacement frames for racing were soon
needed. The first aftermarket frame for the 250R was made by dirt track motorcycle chassis
builder, C&J in 1991 for CT Racing. This frame was a direct replacement for the original,
maintaining stock suspension geometry. The first altered geometry frame was introduced by JP
Racing a short while later. This design brought the front suspension mounts in one inch on each
side, allowing the use of longer suspension arms in competition, which increased wheel travel
and improved the ride qualities. By 2003, a myriad of aftermarket frames could be had from
numerous manufacturers in both stock and altered geometry, made of steel and aluminum. Lone
Star Racing produced a titanium frame, but AMA rules prevented its use in competition.
Though Honda was initially concerned with reliability and detuned the original 250cc motor,
with the release of the Pro-X (pro-cross) cylinder and head in 1994, the 250R’s displacement
could be increased well into the 300cc range by changing the cylinder alone. Additionally, this
and other aftermarket cylinders offered advanced port layout for more tuning options. With
modifications to the transmission cases, later aftermarket cylinders and crankshafts permitted
engine displacements to reach 500cc’s. The last version of the Pro-X cylinder, as well as others,
also added an exhaust operated power valve, a feature that was left off the 250R but used almost
universally by the competition, as well as in Two-Stroke motocross bikes since the mid-eighties.
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services
From automobiles to finance, Honda has a wide array of products and services to accommodate
your needs. Take a look around and see how our innovative thinking can make your life better.
a) Honda Product Web Sites
Whether you want to request a quote, locate a dealer or just be kept in the know about anything
related to Honda, every Honda site is dedicated to meeting your needs. Check out the links below
to get more information on Honda and Acura automobiles, Powersports, HondaJet, Power
Equipment, Marine and Engines.
 Honda Automobiles
 Acura Automobiles
 Honda Powersports
 HondaJet
 Honda Power Equipment
 Honda Marine
 Honda Engines
b) Honda Financial Services
If you're looking to purchase or lease a Honda product, Honda Financial Services can help.
Browse special lease and finance offers, estimate payments and even get credit pre-approval if
you apply online. Current customers can learn how to pay bills online and over the phone, sign
up for online account access or sign up to make payments automatically. And it's always a good
idea to learn about your future financial options if you're approaching the end of your financial
contract. In addition to different bill payment methods, Honda Financial Services offers online
account access through our Owner Link web site, to find out about payoff information, whether
you have a lease or traditional financing.
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c) For Owners
Owner Link members have access to personalized services, such as maintenance schedules,
recall information and online payment. Sign up now, and you can see important tips on caring for
your Honda, information on warranty coverage and details about Honda genuine auto parts. Get
the most out of your Honda today.
d) Locate a Dealer
Use the dealer locator to find the address of and directions to your local Honda dealer. Simply
enter your address, and we'll provide you with information for any Honda dealer nationwide.
Environmental leadership
 Honda thinking in action
Honda's legacy of innovation is unmatched in the automotive industry. As always, our
attention is focused on the future. For example, select California drivers are now driving the
FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle. It's all part of Honda thinking in action.
 Environmental Technology Overview
Honda has always targeted mass-market models in order to have the greatest impact on clean
air and fuel economy. To this end, we work to improve existing technologies while using The
Power of Dreams philosophy to envision and develop the vehicles of the future.
We believe it is important to invest in the continued advancement of internal combustion
engine technology. Honda has introduced a new generation of gasoline engines around the
world that have extremely low emission levels and increased fuel efficiency while
maintaining the ability to improve driving performance.
Further in pursuit of our goal to improve energy efficiency, we have developed gas-electric
hybrid vehicles that achieve ultra-high fuel economy. This includes the Insight, the first
mass-market car with hybrid power.
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 Environmental Vehicles
When it comes to talking about the environment, we let our products speak for themselves. In
1974, Honda introduced the ingeniously simple Civic CVCC engine. World-changing for its
fuel efficiency and low emissions, the CVCC demonstrated our spirited commitment to
environmentally responsible technology. Many other firsts were to follow, such as the first
hybrid vehicle sold in North America and the first government-certified fuel-cell car. This
legacy of innovation and acting on our beliefs is seen in every Honda product, from the Civic
GX Natural Gas Vehicle, the FCX Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle, and the Civic Hybrid.
Product development
Idea Generation
The first step of new product development requires gathering ideas to be evaluated as potential
product options. For many companies idea generation is an ongoing process with contributions
from inside and outside the organization. Many market research techniques are used to
encourage ideas including: running focus groups with consumers, channel members, and the
company’s sales force; encouraging customer comments etc.
Screening
In Step 2 the ideas generated in Step 1 are critically evaluated by company personnel to isolate
the most attractive options. Depending on the number of ideas, screening may be done in rounds
with the first round involving company executives judging the feasibility of ideas while
successive rounds may utilize more advanced research techniques. In this point our company
screens out the idea of developing the new product. Acceptable ideas move on to the next step.
Concept development and testing
With a few ideas in hand the marketer now attempts to obtain initial feedback from customers,
distributors and its own employees. Generally, focus groups are convened where the ideas are
presented to a group, often in the form of concept board presentations (i.e., storyboards) and not
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in actual working form. During focus groups with customers the marketer seeks information that
may include: likes and dislike of the concept; level of interest in purchasing the product;
frequency of purchase and price.
Business and analysis
At this point in the new product development process the marketer has reduced a potentially
large number of ideas down to one or two options. Now in Step 4 the process becomes very
dependent on market research as efforts are made to analyze the viability of the product ideas.
Much effort is directed at both internal research, such as discussions with production and
purchasing personnel, and external marketing research, such as customer and distributor surveys,
secondary research, and competitor analysis.
Product and marketing mix development
Ideas passing through business analysis are given serious consideration for development.
Companies direct their research and development teams to construct an initial design or
prototype of the idea. Marketers also begin to construct a marketing plan for the product. Once
the prototype is ready the marketer seeks customer input. In addition to gaining customer
feedback, this step is used to gauge the feasibility of large-scale, cost effective production for
manufactured products.
Market testing
Products surviving to Step 6 are ready to be tested as real products. In some cases the marketer
accepts what was learned from concept testing and skips over market testing to launch the idea as
a fully marketed product. But other companies may seek more input from a larger group before
moving to commercialization. The most common type of market testing makes the product
available to a selective small segment of the target market (e.g., one city), which is exposed to
the full marketing effort as they would be to any product they could purchase.
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Commercialization
If market testing displays promising results the product is ready to be introduced to a wider
market. Some firms introduce or roll-out the product in waves with parts of the market receiving
the product on different schedules. This allows the company to ramp up production in a more
controlled way and to fine tune the marketing mix as the product is distributed to new areas.
Product development by Honda
When Honda launched his new product in 2001 (Honda jazz), which is also called Honda fit they
think about the product as a demand. They analyze about the market to launch it.they used the
market testing in some of the country.
These are the basic information about HONDA FIT or HONDA JAZZ.
The Honda Fit, also called Honda Jazz, is a five-door hatchback subcompact produced by Honda
of Japan that was first introduced in June 2001. The vehicle is known as the Fit in Japan, China,
and in both North and South America. It is called the Jazz in Europe, some parts of Asia,
Australia, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa.
Production
The Fit is produced in 5 factories throughout the world. Suzuka (Japan), Sumaré (Brazil),
Guangzhou (China), Ayutthaya (Thailand), and Karawang (Indonesia). Models produced in
Japan are for Honda's home market, exported to Europe, some Asian markets, as well as Canada
and the United States. The Brazilian factory supplies all of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Chinese models are sold in mainland China and also exported to some left hand drive European
markets, while Jazz models in Hong Kong are made in Japan.
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Product mix
The product mix of a company, which is generally defined as the total composite of products
offered by a particular organization, consists of both product lines and individual products. A
product line is a group of products within the product mix that are closely related, either because
they function in a similar manner, are sold to the same customer groups, are marketed through
the same types of outlets, or fall within given price ranges. A product is a distinct unit within the
product line that is distinguishable by size, price, appearance, or some other attribute. For
example, all the courses a university offers constitute its product mix; courses in the marketing
department constitute a product line; and the basic marketing course is a product item. Product
decisions at these three levels are generally of two types: those that involve width (variety) and
depth (assortment) of the product line and those that involve changes in the product mix occur
over time.
Product mix of Honda
Honda Company is using to produce every item of the automobile. They don’t require any other
company to produce any item for their products. They are producing breaks, seats, engine, body
as well as wheel also.
Product differentiation
In marketing, product differentiation is the process of distinguishing the differences of a product
or offering from others, to make it more attractive to a particular target market. This involves
differentiating it from competitors' products as well as one's own product offerings.
Product differentiation by Honda
Motorcycle
Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) was formed in 1982. The company combines participation in
motorcycle races throughout the world with the development of high potential racing machines.
Its racing activities are an important source for the creation of leading edge technologies used in
the development of Honda motorcycles. HRC also contributes to the advancement of motorcycle
sports through a range of activities that include sales of production racing motorcycles, support
for satellite teams, and rider education programs.
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Automobile
Honda entered Formula One as a constructor for the first time in the 1964 season at the German
Grand Prix with Ronnie Bucknum at the wheel. 1965 saw the addition of Richie Ginther to the
team, who scored Honda's first point at the Belgian Grand Prix, and Honda's first win at the
Mexican Grand Prix. 1967 saw their next win at the Italian Grand Prix with John Surtees as their
driver. In 1968, Jo Schlesser was killed in a Honda RA302 at the French Grand Prix. This racing
tragedy, coupled with their commercial difficulties selling automobiles in the United States,
prompted Honda to withdraw from all international motorsport that year.
Downhill mountain biking
Honda has also built a Downhill racing bike, known as the Honda RN-01. Honda has taken on
several people to pilot the bike, among them is Greg Minnaar. The team is known as Team G
Cross Honda. The key feature of this bike is the gearbox, which replaces the standard Derailleur
found on most bikes.
Honda Jet
Honda has also pioneered new technology in its HA-420 HondaJet that allows new levels of
reduced drag, increased aerodynamics and fuel efficiency thus reducing operating costs.
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Marketing
Honda's official slogan is "The Power of Dreams". They never used this slogan to sell their
products. Mr. Honda's belief that well built products will sell themselves. Many of Honda's most
remarkable advertising campaigns have been released for the UK market, and have not been
broadcast in North America except on the internet
Honda Australia started promoting the Honda Jazz with Village Green, an animated television
commercial, in 30 second and 60 second versions. The 60 second ad was inspired by Thomas the
Tank Engine. The campaign was developed by Foote Cone Belding Melbourne, by creative
director/art director Scott Lambert, copywriter Mark Ringer and agency producer Mandi Wright.
The animated ad was directed by Michael Cusack at Anifex, with director of
photography/producer Richard Chataway.
In 2006-04-20, American Honda and its ad agency RPA launched the all-new small car, the
Honda Fit, with six 5-second and two 30-second TV ads, with the slogan 'The Fit Is Go'.
In 2008-09-24, RPA (Rubin Postaer and Associates) announced it had started a national
advertising campaign for Honda Fit, beginning Sept. 29. The list of ads include "Mecha-
Mosquitoes," (broke 9/21) "Defense Mechanism" (breaks 10/2) and "Bats" (breaks 9/28),
produced by Digital Domain. As part of the campaign, the vehicle also appeared in Gossip Girl,
90210, America’s Next Top Model, Smallville and Everybody Hates Chris. Print ads "Gas Hogs"
and "Cavernous" will be featured in popular magazines. A dedicated marketing site,
http://fit.honda.com/ , was built to communicate top product features through games and
interactive experiences. The campaign continued the 'The Fit Is Go' slogan. The TV ads editor
was Michael Heldman at Spot Welders, Santa Monica, with producer Lisa English; sound was
designed by Eddie Kim at 740 Sound Design, Santa Monica; audio post production was mixed
by Loren Silber at Lime Studios, Santa Monica; music was composed by Jonathan Elias and
David Wittman at Elias Arts, Santa Monica with producer Ann Haugen.
Sales
On 17 July 2007, Honda announced that more than 2 million Fit/Jazz units had been sold
worldwide since its introduction. Japan accounts for the largest percentage of sales, with 962,000
units sold in the home market. Europe is next with 417,000 units. The U.S. accounts for 77,000
cars since introduction in 2006. Honda expected to sell 33,000 vehicles in the U.S. for the 2007
model year, but exceeded these expectations and sold 40,000. Honda plans to put 70,000 Fits on
the U.S. roads for the 2008 model year.
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