Honda Eyes Release of Business Jet in Japan by 2020

Greensboro, North Carolina, Nov. 13 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Honda Motor Co. <7267> is considering releasing its small business jet in Japan by the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, its aircraft unit's chief revealed Thursday. The launch in Japan of the HondaJet produced in the United States now appears to be a feasible option as the Japanese government is preparing to have equipment for private jets installed at major airports ahead of the Olympics, Honda Aircraft Co. President Michimasa Fujino said. Honda plans to begin deliveries of the seven-seater jet, priced at 4.5 million dollars, next year, initially targeting business executives and wealthy individuals in Europe and the United States. The HondaJet is attracting the interest of potential customers in Japan as well, Fujino said. Demand for the jet is expected from corporate executives who make frequent business trips, such as those between Tokyo and the northern Japan city of Sapporo, he noted. "We are looking at various ideas" for marketing the HondaJet, such as proposing using the jet for honeymoons to Okinawa, southern Japan, Fujino said. At the HondaJet plant in Greensboro, North Carolina, Honda plans to increase the annual output capacity to 80-100 units by 2017. The group aims to make the aircraft business profitable in five years, Fujino said. END