HondaJet to Go on Sale in Japan

Tokyo, June 6 (Jiji Press)--Honda Motor Co. <7267> said Wednesday it will expand sales of its HondaJet small business jet to include Japan. The Japanese automaker aims to start delivering the aircraft, manufactured by a U.S. subsidiary, in the first half of 2019. The move will make the HondaJet available in major markets across the world after it was first shipped in North America in December 2015. "We hope that the HondaJet, a globally acclaimed aircraft, will be used by many customers in Japan," Honda President and Chief Executive Officer Takahiro Hachigo told a news conference in Tokyo. The seven-seat aircraft has a range of some 2,661 kilometers, allowing it to provide direct flights to Beijing, Shanghai and other major cities in Asia from Tokyo. Shipments of the HondaJet totaled 43 last year, making it the most delivered light business jet in the world. Marubeni Aerospace Corp., a unit of Japanese trading house Marubeni Corp. <8002>, will serve as the jet's sales agent in Japan. The HondaJet Elite, an upgraded version of the aircraft, will sell in Japan for 5.25 million dollars. END