Just last year, Honda broke the sales record in China by selling 580,000 units. This certainly puts the Japanese car manufacturer in a good light. Honda introduced its crossover premium utility vehicle, the Crosstour, during the Beijing exhibition. According to reports, the Crosstour will be produced locally by the Guangqi Honda branch. Sales for this vehicle should begin by the end of 2010.

Also in the exhibit was Honda’s concept model Li Nian. Guangqi Honda owns this brand. Late this 2010, Honda sets its eyes on presenting the mass-produced Li Nian to the public through the Guanzhou Motor Show. Li Nian is produced specifically for the Chinese market, and there’s no news about its global release just yet. In English, the term Li Nian can be translated as “idea”.

Dongfeng Honda, a joint venture between Honda Motor Company and the Dongfeng Motor Corporation, is also working on its own line of original brands.

According to reports, Honda owes much of its sales boost to the growing demand for cars in China and growing business market India, and the growing interest of consumers in the US. Japan’s second biggest car manufacturer posted a profit of 72-billion yen for the first quarter of this year.