Honda sales rise on Civic, CR-V, hybrids

Honda is maintaining sales growth in China despite the extended market downturn, with July deliveries advancing 5.9 percent to 124,155.

The latest increase was led by two compact models -- the Civic sedan and the CR-V crossover, each of which generated sales of more than 20,000, Honda Motor Co.’s China office said. 

The company also attributed the growth to the “outstanding performance” of the hybrid vehicles it markets in China. 

Honda sells gasoline and hybrid variants of the CR-V, the Accord and Inspire sedans and the Odyssey multi-purpose vehicle in China.  

Last month, aggregate deliveries of the four models’ hybrid variants reached 13,274, according to the office. 

While still growing, Honda’s China sales have lost some momentum. 

In the first eight months, the brand’s cumulative deliveries advanced 18 percent from a year earlier to 985,514. 

Two other major Japanese car brands -- Toyota and Nissan -- have not released China sales for August.