~ Le Viêt Nam, aujourd'hui. ~
The Vietnam News

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Honda builds 2nd motorbike plant

HANOI - Honda Motors, the world's largest motorbike maker, Thursday announced a plan to build a second motorbike plant in Vietnam to meet increasing local demand. The plant, to be located next to the existing facility in northern Vinh Phuc province, with an investment cost of $65 million and annual production capacity of 500,000 units, is expected to be operational by the second half of next year, Honda said in a statement.

"The second motorbike plant aims at meeting diversified and increasing demands of customers in Vietnam's markets," Honda said. Honda Vietnam, a joint venture between Honda Motors and a local partner, built the first plant in 1997 and so far has produced 3.7 million units. It sold a record 851,000 motorcycles last year. The new plant will focus on producing scooters. Honda also started producing Civic cars last year at the plant in Vinh Phuc province, some 50 kilometers (31 miles) northwest of Hanoi. The plant can make up to 10,000 cars a year.

Vietnam, with a population of 85 million, has more than 18 million motorbikes.

The Associated Press - July 19, 2007.