Honda has ambitious plans for high-flying private jet

By Peter Ranscombe
Published on Tuesday 31 January 2012 00:00

CAR maker Honda expects to grab at least one quarter of the business jet market soon after launching its first aircraft next year, the Japanese firm yesterday revealed.

The company, which is the world’s biggest maker of engines and motorbikes, has long held ambitions to take to the skies and is now in the final stages of gaining regulatory approval for its £2.8 million HondaJet.

About 80 aircraft a year will be produced as Honda aims to snatch market share away from rivals Cessna and Embraer.

Honda received more than 100 orders for its seven-seater jet in three days when it began taking orders in 2006, promising a quieter engine, 20 per cent better fuel economy over competing models and operational costs of two-thirds or less.

Michimasa Fujino, chief executive of Honda’s aircraft division, said his jet would do for the aviation sector what the Civic had done for the car industry, promising reliability and durability.

Fujino said he was fielding about a call a week from China, both from prospective buyers and eager dealers, while interest was also greater than he anticipated in Brazil, India and the Middle East. He aims to turn a profit in 2018.

PETER RANSCOMBE