Honda may ship US-made cars to Korea

SEOUL — Japan's third-biggest automaker Honda said Wednesday it is considering shipping its US-made vehicles to South Korea to help offset the strong yen and other market uncertainties.

Chief executive Takanobu Ito told reporters that Honda would make the most of its plants in the US and other countries to gain a foothold in the "significant" South Korean market.

The company said it would also seek to cut costs.

The strong yen was partly responsible for a 44 percent drop in Honda's South Korean sales in January-October.

Japanese competitors have announced similar plans. Japan's biggest automaker Toyota intends to import its new Camry sedan from its Kentucky plant to South Korea in January.

It is also considering bringing a compact car and a hatchback from Europe, Tommy H. Nakabayashi, chief executive of Toyota's South Korean business, said last week.

Japanese carmakers' sales in South Korea were 21 percent lower in January-October than a year earlier. Sales of German vehicles rose 36 percent while sales of US vehicles increased 8.2 percent.
honda cars
honda cars
honda cars
honda cars