Honda Taiwan
Honda Motor Co.'s Taiwan subsidiary for Honda automobile production, sales, and related market operations.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Honda Taiwan Co., Ltd. is Honda Motor Co.'s wholly owned Taiwan subsidiary, established in February 2002 after Honda ended a long-standing local production and distribution partnership with Sanyang Motor. The company represents Honda's direct operating presence in the Taiwanese automobile market and has been associated with vehicle manufacturing, sales, and market support for Honda passenger cars. Honda's Taiwan history predates the creation of the subsidiary by several decades. For 41 years, Honda vehicles and products for the Taiwanese market were assembled and distributed by Sanyang Industrial Co., a Taiwanese motorcycle manufacturer that later became widely associated with the SYM brand. Taiwan was also the site of Honda's first overseas automobile assembly activity: the N600 and TN360 began being assembled there in 1969. The relationship eventually became less strategically suitable as Sanyang developed into an independent motorcycle producer whose products could compete directly with Honda motorcycles. Honda stated that creating its own subsidiary would help increase competitiveness and reduce production costs. Honda Taiwan began producing and selling the CR-V in January 2003. It subsequently expanded its locally supported automobile range with the Accord in November 2003, the Civic in 2006, and the Fit in 2008. These introductions gave the subsidiary a broader presence across sport-utility, midsize sedan, compact sedan, and small-car segments. The company's Pingtung manufacturing plant has been identified with production of the CR-V, HR-V, and Fit, while a former Hsinchu facility manufactured the Accord and Fit. The subsidiary's development coincided with a significant improvement in Honda's position in Taiwan. In 2001, the final full year of Honda's former distribution relationship with Sanyang, Honda held approximately 1.5 percent of Taiwan's automobile market. By 2007, Honda had overtaken Ford Lio Ho to reach fourth place in the Taiwanese automobile market. During the first six months of 2010, its market share had risen to 8.3 percent, consolidating fourth place. Honda Taiwan also reported an important manufacturing milestone on November 11, 2008, when it marked assembly of its 100,000th vehicle. The company employed 740 people in 2009. Honda Taiwan's documented role is therefore that of a locally established manufacturing and commercial subsidiary rather than an independent automobile marque. Its public record emphasizes the transition from a partner-led model to direct Honda control, the localization of selected vehicle assembly, and the expansion of Honda's passenger-car presence in Taiwan. The available reference material does not establish the company's current production status, present model lineup, current workforce, or current market share, so those matters remain unspecified here.
History
Honda's relationship with Taiwan began before Honda Taiwan Co., Ltd. existed as a separate subsidiary. Taiwanese manufacturer Sanyang Industrial Co. assembled and distributed Honda products in the market for 41 years. In 1969, Taiwan became the location of Honda's first overseas automobile assembly activity, with production of the N600 and TN360 beginning there. This early arrangement gave Honda an established local manufacturing and distribution channel while allowing Sanyang to build its own industrial capabilities. Over time, the relationship became more complicated. Sanyang developed into a successful motorcycle manufacturer under the SYM label, and its products increasingly competed with Honda's motorcycle business. Honda subsequently decided to replace the partnership model with a wholly owned local operation. Honda Taiwan Co., Ltd. was established in February 2002, shortly after the local partnership with Sanyang was discontinued. Honda described the move as a way to improve competitiveness and lower production costs; the competitive overlap between Sanyang and Honda was also a relevant background factor. The new subsidiary began automobile production and sales with the CR-V in January 2003. The Accord followed in November of the same year, extending Honda Taiwan's reach into the midsize-car segment. The Civic was added in 2006, and the Fit followed in 2008. The sequence shows a gradual expansion from a sport-utility vehicle into a more complete passenger-car portfolio. Honda Taiwan's manufacturing footprint included a Pingtung City plant producing the CR-V, HR-V, and Fit. A former Hsinchu plant manufactured the Accord and Fit. On November 11, 2008, the company celebrated assembly of its 100,000th vehicle, a milestone indicating the scale reached during its first years as a direct Honda subsidiary. In 2009, the company employed 740 people. The subsidiary also improved Honda's position in the Taiwanese automobile market. Honda's market share was approximately 1.5 percent in 2001, the last full year of the Sanyang distribution arrangement. By 2007, Honda had passed Ford Lio Ho and reached fourth place in Taiwan's automobile market. For the first six months of 2010, Honda's share was reported at 8.3 percent, with fourth place consolidated. The available material does not provide a later corporate history, current operational details, or confirmed information about the company's present manufacturing arrangements.
- 2010
Market share reaches 8.3 percent
[1]Honda held an 8.3 percent share of Taiwan's automobile market during the first six months of the year and retained fourth place.
- 2008
Fit added
[1]Honda Taiwan expanded its lineup with the Fit.
- 2008
100,000th vehicle assembled
[1]On November 11, Honda Taiwan marked assembly of its 100,000th vehicle.
- 2007
Honda reaches fourth place in Taiwan
[1]Honda passed Ford Lio Ho to reach fourth place in the Taiwanese automobile market.
- 2006
Civic added
[1]The Civic became part of Honda Taiwan's locally supported automobile range.
- 2003
CR-V production and sales begin
[1]Honda Taiwan began producing and selling the CR-V in January.
- 2003
Accord added to the Taiwan lineup
[1]Honda Taiwan expanded its vehicle range with the Accord in November.
- 2002
Honda Taiwan established
[1]Honda Motor Co. established Honda Taiwan Co., Ltd. as a wholly owned subsidiary after ending its local partnership with Sanyang Motor.
- 2001
Honda's market position before direct subsidiary formation
[1]In the final full year of Honda's distribution relationship with Sanyang, Honda held approximately 1.5 percent of Taiwan's automobile market.
- 1969
First overseas Honda automobile assembly in Taiwan
[1]The N600 and TN360 began assembly in Taiwan, making Taiwan the location of Honda's first overseas automobile production.
Products and positioning
A locally established Honda manufacturing and sales operation focused on bringing Honda passenger vehicles to the Taiwanese market through direct subsidiary control, localized assembly, and distribution.
Sport-utility vehicle · 2003
Honda CR-V
The CR-V was Honda Taiwan's first documented vehicle produced and sold after the subsidiary was established. Production and sales began in January 2003, and the model was later associated with Honda Taiwan's Pingtung manufacturing plant.
Midsize passenger car · 2003
Honda Accord
The Accord joined Honda Taiwan's range in November 2003. It represented the subsidiary's expansion into the midsize passenger-car segment and was manufactured at the former Hsinchu facility according to the available reference material.
Compact passenger car · 2006
Honda Civic
The Civic was added to Honda Taiwan's automobile range in 2006, broadening the subsidiary's coverage of Taiwan's compact-car market.
Small car · 2008
Honda Fit
The Fit entered Honda Taiwan's documented lineup in 2008. The model was associated with production at both the Pingtung plant and the former Hsinchu facility in the source material.
Sport-utility vehicle
Honda HR-V
The HR-V is identified among the vehicles produced at Honda Taiwan's Pingtung City manufacturing plant. The available source does not specify its Taiwan launch date or current availability.
Brand decisions
2002
Replace the Sanyang partnership with a wholly owned subsidiaryStrategyBackground
Honda products had been assembled and distributed in Taiwan by Sanyang for 41 years. Honda's Taiwan market share was approximately 1.5 percent in 2001, while Sanyang had developed into an independent motorcycle producer that could compete with Honda.
Action taken
Honda established Honda Taiwan Co., Ltd. as a wholly owned subsidiary shortly after discontinuing the local partnership, citing competitiveness and production-cost considerations.
Aftermath
Honda Taiwan began direct vehicle production and sales, starting with the CR-V in 2003. Honda later expanded its model range and reached fourth place in Taiwan's automobile market by 2007.
Sources1 sources
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