TOKYO (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co plans to double the proportion of minivehicle sales in Japan in five years, hoping to woo customers replacing older vehicles amid a shrinking domestic market, the Nikkei business daily said on Monday.
Minivehicles have engine displacements of up to 660cc and are unique to Japan, making up one-third of new vehicle sales thanks to preferential tax treatment. They are especially popular in rural areas as a second or third family car.
Japan's No.3 automaker will first release in December a new wagon-type model that will get fuel economy of 25 km per liter, likely making it among the most fuel-efficient cars of its kind, the Nikkei said. Two more new minicars are set to be introduced in 2012, the report said.
