Honda Motor Co. plans to import vehicles from the United States and China for sale in its domestic market as it seeks to strengthen its product lineup in Japan amid growing losses in its automotive division. The Japanese automaker announced on Thursday that it will begin selling two US-made models in Japan during the second half of this year: the Acura Integra Type S and the Honda Passport TrailSport Elite. The company stated that this move responds to efforts by the US government to increase sales of American-made cars in Japan, taking advantage of Japan's simplified vehicle certification process. Additionally, Honda is reportedly preparing to import electric vehicles from China, which would make it the first Japanese automaker to sell Chinese-made EVs in Japan. This strategic reassessment comes after Honda's automotive business recorded an operating loss of 166.4 billion yen (approximately $1.1 billion) in the first nine months of the fiscal year. The company faces pressure from EV-related expenditures, including losses and impairments on vehicles sold in the US, as well as write-offs of research and development assets. Meanwhile, Honda is being outpaced by Chinese competitors who are advancing with technology-focused products. The automaker has also been significantly affected by US import tariffs, with its motorcycle business now serving as the primary driver of sales.
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