American Honda Reports March 2009 Sales of 88,379

TORRANCE, Calif., April 1, 2009: American Honda Motor Co., Inc., posted March vehicle sales of 88,379, a decline of 33.7 percent compared to March 2008, based on the daily selling rate*, the company reported today. Honda Division posted March sales of 79,374, a decline of 34.2 percent compared to March 2008.

"The sales decline appears particularly steep when compared to last year's strong first quarter," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "The launch of the all-new Honda Insight hybrid is helping to better position the company for a tough economy where affordability and efficiency count more than ever. The demand for innovation still exists."

The 2010 Insight debuted in limited quantities on March 24 and achieved sales of 569 in its first partial month of sales. Honda Division total car sales decreased by 32.6 percent, to 49,346. Honda Division light-truck sales decreased 36.7 percent, to 30,028.

The Acura Division posted sales of 9,005, a decline of 29.5 percent compared to March 2008. Sales of the TSX sports sedan, the brand's second-best-selling model for the month, increased 16.6 percent, to 2,556.

*The daily selling rate is calculated with 25 days for March 2009 and 26 days for March 2008. All percentages reflect the daily selling rate.