New Honda launched in Vietnam

New Honda launched in Vietnam

TOKYO: Japan's Honda Motor Co. Ltd. said Saturday it had launched production in Vietnam of a new motorcycle designed to suit the needs of the fast-growing local market.

The 100-cc motorcycle, called a "Honda Wave-alpha" and priced at about US$730, is to be produced at a factory of Honda's joint venture Honda Vietnam Co. Ltd. in the suburbs of Hanoi, the world's top motorcycle maker said in a statement.

The Honda unit hopes to sell 200,000 Wave-alphas a year.

The joint venture is 42 percent owned by Honda, 28 percent by Asian Honda Motor Co. and the rest by Vietnam Engine and Agricultural Machinery Corp., the statement said.

HVN expects its total 2002 sales to reach 350,000 units, more than twice the 2001 level of 170,000 units, the statement said. --AFP