In fiscal 2003, power products unit sales, which are included in Honda's other businesses, expanded by 16.8% to 4,584,000 units as a result of sales growth of general-purpose engines in all four regions.
Net sales from other businesses, including power products, rose by 11% to ¥326.3 billion mainly as a result of an increase in unit sales of power products. Operating income jumped 112.3% to ¥8.5 billion.
In Japan, unit sales of power products rose by 15.4% to 472,000 units. In North America, in addition to general-purpose engines, sales of lawnmowers have been favorable. As a result, unit sales in that region grew by 16.9% to 1,872,000 units. In Europe, unit sales were up by 27.5% to 1,290,000 units. In other regions, unit sales rose by 5.1% to 950,000 units.
New products we launched around the world in fiscal 2003 included the GX25 four-stroke general-purpose engine, which can operate in any position, the BF15 four-stroke outboard engine and the BF20, a new addition to the series.The BF15 and the BF20 are equipped with a newly developed engine with excellent environmental performance. We also introduced the HS980i and HS1180i hybrid snowblowers in Japan and Europe. In North America, we launched the HRZ216 push-type lawnmower, which offers superior ease of use. In India, we marketed the EXK1200 and EXK2000 power generators, which meet the strictest noise regulations in the world.
Along with our goal to expand sales of our Thai-made GX medium-sized engines around the world, and to boost our sales of GX medium-sized engines produced in China, we expect unit sales of power products to grow by 13% to 5,180,000 units in fiscal 2004.