Honda output at 50 million

Honda Motor Co's worldwide vehicle production has reached 50 million units.

In 1963, Honda started production with the mini truck, T360, and the small sports car, S500.

Production volume increased through the subsequent introduction of such vehicles as N360 (in 1967), Civic (in 1972) and Accord (in 1976).

In 1983, production reached 10 million units, boosted significantly late in the piece by the Accord assembly plant it began in America in 1982.

Honda was the first Japanese carmaker to set up a plant in the United States.

Worldwide production reached 20 million units in 1990 and 30 million units in 1995.

As it expanded plants in Asia and other areas, overall output reached 40 million units in 1999 and 50 million units last month.

It is now has 19 assembly plants in 15 countries.

Of the 50 million units, about 33.8 million units were produced in Japan and 12.6 million in North America.

The Civic series comprises about 15 million units and the Accord series about 13 million.