Honda has announced plans to ramp up the production of its Civic model in China.

The automotive giant will operate in the area through a joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Group under the name of Dongfeng Honda Automobile.

Executives have set a sales target of 50,000 vehicles per year for 2006, with the firm keen to capitalise on the rapidly growing consumer market in China.

The Civic, which operates to Euro IV emission standards, will go on sale on April 22nd and will be sold through Dongfeng Honda's 90 dealers in the country.

The model has achieved cumulative sales of 16 million since it was first introduced more than 30 years ago

Sales of Chinese cars are expected to increase by up to 15 per cent over the medium term, according to Standard & Poor's ratings service.

S&P predicts that the China's economy will grow by around 5.2 per cent between now and 2020, and with every major international manufacturer now present in the Chinese market, competition is expected to be fierce.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd