Thank you very much for taking time to view our program today. Now we'd like to start Honda Motor Co., Ltd.'s Fiscal Year 2022 Second Quarter Financial Results presentation meeting. I am - my name is Okamoto from Corporate Communications, facilitator for today. Allow me to introduce today's presenters.

We have Director, Executive Vice President and Representative Executive Officer, Mr. Seiji Kuraishi..

Good to see you..

And Director, Senior Managing Executive Director, Mr. Kohei Takeuchi..

Good to see you, everyone..

Then we'd like to ask Mr. Kuraishi to give an outline of our fiscal year '22 second quarter results..

industry demand, though there is still a concern over a COVID-19 resurgence, demand is expected to increase steadily. Honda revised upward, its forecast primarily based on the current sales in India and Indonesia. Outline of FY 2020 three months results.

Despite the impact of semiconductor supply shortage and increase in raw material costs due to positive effects of unit sales increase, cost reduction and currency, operating profit increased JPY 272.9 billion to JPY 442.1 billion.

Also the earnings per share attributable to owners of the parent due to increase in share of profit of investments accounted for using the equity method increased by JPY 229.1 billion to JPY 289.2 billion. Unit sales and income statement are as shown. And next, our FY 2022 financial forecast.

COVID-19 resurgence, shortage of certain parts including semiconductors and rise in raw material price is expected to continue.

Though we anticipate a harsh external environment, reduction in SG&A, cost reduction and other profit enhancement efforts are expected to result in maintaining operating profit at JPY 660 billion, equivalent to last fiscal year. Unit sales and income statement are as shown.

Next about dividends, FY 2022 interim dividend is JPY 55 per share, annual dividend outlook remains unchanged. Honda will strive to continue to realize stable shareholder's return aiming towards a payout ratio of around 30%..

Now we'd like to have Mr. Takeuchi, our Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer to provide details for our quarter financial results and forecasts..

Okay, allow me to explain. Looking at the results of the second quarter for the three month, unit sales of Honda Group showed declines in Vietnam and Thailand in Motorcycle operations, declines in China and the US in Automobile operations and an increase in the US and other markets in Life Creation operations. Turning our eye to the earnings.

Sales revenues due to lower sales in Automobile operations declined from second quarter last year to JPY 3,404.3 billion. Operating profit was, due to reduce profit from a lower sales revenues and model mix, JPY 198.9 billion and our equity and earnings of affiliates was due to reduce profit in China, it was JPY 51.3 billion.

Next, I would like to explain the different factors affecting profit. Pretax profit for the second quarter was JPY 249 billion, which was down by JPY 96.6 billion compared to the same period last year.

Operating profit was, even though there was an increase due to currency effect due to decrease sales revenue and model mix leading to lower profit, it was JPY 198.9 billion, down by JPY 83.9 billion versus same period last year. Next, going to our financial results by business segment.

Operating profit for Motorcycle operations was, due to reduce profit due to volume fluctuation and model mix, it was JPY 67.4 billion. Next going to operating profit from Automobile operations and operating profit related to Automobile sales included in financial services operations is expected at JPY 127.7 billion, added together.

Operating profit from Automobile operations was, due to volume decrease and lower margin from model mix, it was JPY 46.4 billion. Operating profit from finance services operations was due to difference in the amount posted as provision for credit losses JPY 84.5 billion.

Next, looking at the operating profit for Life Creation operations and other operations, it was JPY 500 million. Of this amount, the operating loss from aircraft and aircraft engine was at JPY 7.2 billion. Next, the earnings for the first half of the fiscal year are as shown on the Slide.

To explain the factors affecting the profit, pretax profit was JPY 560.3 billion, which is up JPY 288.1 billion versus the same period last year. Operating profit was, due to sales change and model mix impact increased as well as currency effect JPY 442.1 billion, which was JPY 272.9 billion, up from the same period last year.

Next, the free cash flow for the non-financial services operations for the first half of the fiscal year was minus JPY 18.7 billion, and the balance of cash and cash equivalents at the end of second quarter was JPY 2,310.6 billion. Now I'd like to explain the full year forecast for the consolidated performance for the 2022.

First, the sales volume, the unit sales of the Honda Group forecast for Motorcycle operations is 17.5 million units, which is up 100,000 units compared to the previous forecast. In Automobile operations, considering the impact from shortages in part supply including semiconductors, our estimate is for 4.2 million units, down 650,000 units.

In Life Creation operations, our prospects are for sales of 6.1 million units. The financial forecast for fiscal year 2022 on a consolidated basis is shown here. To explain the factors affecting the forecast, pre-tax profit is expected at JPY 860 billion, down JPY 54 billion compared to last fiscal year.

For operating profit, there have been a positive effect from currency effects, sales revenues, and model mix but this was offset by surging raw material prices and differences from amount posted as provision for credit losses, and other SGA expenses increase so that the operating profit is expected to be flat as last fiscal year.

Equity earnings of affiliates was, because in the previous fiscal year, we had posted a temporary one-off impact of JPY 56.8 billion due to [indiscernible] of three affiliates. It is expected to be lower by JPY 72.7 billion. Comparing our new forecasts to our earlier forecasts in August, pretax profit is expected to be low by JPY 140 billion.

In operating profit though, SGA of reduction in currency effect generated positive impact. This will be offset by reduction in earnings due to sales revenue decline and model mix. Now the forecast is for JPY 660 billion, down 120 billion compared to the previous forecast.

Lastly, our prospects for capital expenditure, depreciation, R&D expenses are as shown on the slide. This concludes my presentation. Thank you very much..

Thank you for your listening. And now we would like to proceed to questions and answers. To the media, we ask you to use the Zoom that we have informed you in advance when asking questions. [Operator instructions]. Thank you, the first question, Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper, Mr.

[Abhay]?.

This is Abhay from Nikkei. First, about the Group sales unit and revision that you made.

Well this new number 4.2 million, what is the accuracy? The outlook of semiconductor shortage and the prospect of being able to secure the semiconductors, what measures you're taking to enhance the prospect? And also from April-September the world production, how much reduction in production did you see compared to the original plan? The second question, well, currently there is the shortage of semiconductors but the profit there has been undermined.

Be it the automobile reform or investment in EV vehicles, does this not have any negative impact on your future plans? So can you elaborate on your views as to how the current shortage will impact future plans?.

First, let me talk about the impact of semiconductor shortage. First, last time some of the suppliers experienced a fire and there was a shortage of supply as well as the low temperature in the United States and lockdown in Southeast Asia. And therefore we believed that it was a onetime impact.

But we decided to reduce our prospect to 4.8 million from the 5 million originally anticipated. But we now see that the shortage, the supply shortage is even more serious and will last longer and the lockdown is likewise. So it's been reduced to 4.2 million. But we were anticipating that we will see a recovery in supply from the third quarter.

But regrettably because of the long duration of the lockdown in Southeast Asia, we were unable to do so. We are planning to make a recovery from the beginning of next year. But we believe that it will be difficult to achieve the recovery by the end of this fiscal year.

As for the prospect of being able to secure the necessary semiconductors, we have yet - we are trying to look into this now. As for the future prospects, due to the shortage of semiconductors, we don't know what the challenges will be in the future.

We are starting to see improvements now and we are also working to ensure dual sourcing so as to gain toughness against these incidents and come with a supply chain situation. So we are currently preparing for next fiscal year.

And in addition to recovery in production in next fiscal year, our model cycle will be at a very good timing and therefore we will do our very best to meet the demands. And also about the April-September production, well, I'll explain about that later.

And whether the current drop in production will have an impact on the future strategies? That part of your question, as I said earlier, from next fiscal year, we believe that the semiconductor supply will improve.

And this fiscal year, this negative operating profit, whether this will have an impact, direct impact on automobile reform EV? No, we do not think so. Thank you..

Thank you very much for the global production, our Corporate Communications will provide an answer later. Okay. The next question is from my Yomiuri newspaper, Mr. [Katagiri], over to you..

This is [Katagiri] from Yomiuri newspaper.

I hope you can hear me?.

Yes..

Okay, thank you. The impact from reduced production on Japan and China, it's okay. But it was lower than expected but in the States there was good demand.

But probably other than the models, was there any reason for the better demand in the US? And then if you could share with me the regional differences about the demand going forward for the rest of the fiscal year? So I guess, I think, for November, so still the demand is very low but I just wonder, how the demand are for the rest of the world? My second question is prospects for the future.

But the raw materials prices, and then the risk for China, what do you - how do you view the risks in China? Okay, thank you..

Okay, I'm repeating myself, but with the COVID-19 impact, and then now the harbor traffic congestion, the lockdown in Asia are impacting the ports, there are various factors impacting the supply chain, that is the current situation. Particularly the lockdown in Asia, those are having a prolonged impact compared to our initial estimate.

But we'd like to minimize - continue to minimize the impact we suffer. So stock - our inventory allocation, and we are reviewing our allocation and production stock situation on a weekly basis.

And then we are trying to monitor the supply, particularly semiconductor and if there's any shortage, we will adjust, we are adjusting production on a global basis. Maybe we need to monitor the balance across different regions and then consider we are doing, allocating the semiconductors.

But the semiconductor, of course, there are many different types. And depending on the parts and components, they were available ones are not so available ones, so there are differences. So I can't say generally, but basically, our stance is that along with the sales planning, we do proper allocation.

But as - well because different models mix are there, so there are differences between different regions as a result but in principle, going forward as well for different reasons, we want to - we will continue to monitor the sales situation on a weekly basis and continue our timely allocation. That's our strategy.

And then for the power shortage in China, currently, as is now for the two joint ventures in China, we have not seen any impact due to the power shortage including their suppliers. So we will closely monitor the future conditions and then take actions if needed.

But currently the Guangqi Honda and then the other entity as well, those are important production sites in those regions - in this region. So they are closely monitoring the situation. So we would like to continue to monitor the situation closely together with the central government to monitor the situation. Thank you..

Thank you, the next question. Asahi Shimbun, Mr. [Kameyama], please..

Asahi Shimbun newspaper, [Kameyama].

Can you hear me?.

Yes..

Two questions. First, you said the group unit sales has been reduced from 4.85 million to 4.2 million. I think that we are already seeing delivery delays now. But as a result of this reduction, what impact will it have on sales? And also, how long do you think the current situation will continue? That's the first question.

The second question, well on the one hand, production is declining, but in United States, they are seeing a drop in sales incentive and this is positive for your performance.

So how much incentives have been reduced? And what impact has it had on your corporate performance, please?.

Well first I will respond to the unit sales. The semiconductor supply delay has resulted in us having our customers wait for the delivery of our products. We apologize for the delay. But currently, based on the plan that we have for the unit sales, we are in communication to ensure the delivery date.

We don't think that we will see any further delays, but COVID-19 impact, we have to see what impact will continue. And so observing the situation, we will try everything to try to deliver cars to our customers as early as possible. And so as for semiconductors, as I said, from the fourth quarter, we believe that we will start to see a recovery.

And we can enter into recovery production phase. That is all, thank you..

Allow me to explain about the incentives in the United States and what impact it has on our performance, especially the incentives. Because of the large volume, and the amount of money spent and this is - the biggest part is in the United States.

But as you know, because of the delay in components supply, production is down and the inventory at dealers are really short. And because of this, in the past, at the dealers, there were and these incentives had to be reduced significantly because of that from the unit sales and this decline, this has turned out to be positive in North America.

And last fiscal year, there's the auto rater data. There was about a JPY 200,000 incentive per vehicle but this fiscal year it will be slightly above half of that. And the incentive includes the non-incentives and it cannot offset the drop in sales unit - unit sales but still it is a positive for us..

Thank you very much. Then the next question will be from Nikon Automotive, Mr. [Misitory], please..

Good afternoon. This is [Misitory] from daily newspaper, a daily automobile newspaper. I have two questions.

My first one is raw material price surging, at the beginning of the term, I think you were expecting JPY 250 billion impact throughout the year but by changing your forecast, any impact? I mean, with - of course I mean the surging prices will - that's something you need to take into consideration, would you have considered repricing the final product? Another one is the RCEP that's starting in January, do you have any expectations for that? Of course, vehicles and the parts, all of those are localized I'm sure, in your case but I would just like to know what your expectations are? Thank you..

Okay, let me answer about the raw material prices. Oh, it's true, as Mr. [Misitory] said, for at the beginning of this fiscal year we said that 200 - JPY billion 250 to JPY 260 billion surge in our - higher prices for the full year.

And then that included the metals, precious metals that's used in the catalyst because the prices have really surged, so that's why we came up with that expectation.

But the precious metals' unit price has, of course, there were some intervention for the government and they were coming down somewhat from the peak, but aluminum and steel, those other materials, for those, so we are still expecting the higher prices of those. And then, so we still incorporated those increasing prices of those other materials.

But right now, still we are expecting JPY 260 billion also impact. But any incorporation into the selling prices? No, we cannot transfer all those cost increases to our vehicle prices.

But we will monitor what the competitors are doing and then we might - we will monitor what the competitors are doing and we might include the increase of prices if it's okay with the customers. Okay, so for RCEP, we are far advanced with the localization because we want to produce where the demand is.

So we don't think there's going to be that bad an impact, but we will monitor the situation and take actions necessary. Thank you..

Thank you very much. Next, Automotive News. Hans, please. [Foreign Language].

Yes, please..

Thank you. I have two questions. One is about the foreign exchange rate. It's been a real tailwind for a lot of Japanese automakers, lately. I think you're keeping it steady for the rest of the fiscal year.

Do you expect this exchange rate to maybe help you improve your full year results in the end if it keeps moving in this direction? And the second question is about your provisions for the shift to electric vehicles.

When will we start to see some kind of investment or outlays or announcements from Honda about your investments in batteries or new electric vehicle lines or factories? Already we hear from other Japanese automakers about their investments in electric vehicles, but yet they don't even have as ambitious as plans of total makeover for electric vehicle only as Honda.

When can we start to see or expect some announcements or provisions from Honda? [Foreign Language].

[Foreign Language].

Well, let me try to answer your foreign exchange question. Yes, as Hans says the foreign exchange but on the one hand, we are supplying components in North America and also we have to convert the North American profit to a Japanese yen. So the foreign exchange rate has a big impact on us and the weak yen is favorable for us.

And if you compare the forecast, last time, and from the second quarter, it was JPY 105 and it's actually JPY 110 in the second quarter, and in the third quarter after we have replaced it at JPY 110 yen against the dollar. So and because of this, we are seeing an impact of some JPY 50 billion on our profitability revenue.

But as we hear the quantitative easing being reviewed in the United States, and so I think that there might be a shift towards a stronger dollar, and this will be positive. But when it comes to strong dollar, well, we're not just doing operation in the US and Japan, we're doing in Brazil, supplying in United States and also Thailand, etc.

So the local currencies, if they become weak, then the imported components will see a negative impact. So we have to look at the overall situation, it's not as simple to say that we just look at the US dollar and see the weak yen is advantageous, no.

But what we're saying is that we have two, three - well, if there's a $1 swing throughout the year that we see an impact of around JPY12 billion. So in the second half, I hope that we see a tailwind. But it's not as simple as that, because we have to think about other currencies other than the US dollar..

About the shift to EV and the specific strategies, well, in regards to transition, yes, battery, we want to partner with the best for the local, so GM in the US and CATL in China. So we are working with those partners. And we're already making the investments necessary for other regions as well. We have to look at the local conditions, etc.

And consider various possibilities including alliance. As for factories, the other day in China, we announced our EV strategy and G Hack - WD Hack. We said that we will start to aim towards that operation so that we can establish an environment friendly factory. So as for the details, well, I'm not in a position to disclose them now.

But we are making such preparations. And when the time comes, we will be able to announce it to you, including the investment numbers and what we are doing. But please allow me not to disclose those numbers today..

Thank you very much. Then the next question is from NewsPicks. Mr.

Hiroko, please?.

Okay, thank you. This is - my name is Hiroko from NewsPicks..

Yes, we can hear you..

Earlier this was mentioned about the semiconductor shortage. I would like to ask a little bit more detailed question. And at the same time, your actions for the future - for going forward about the semiconductor shortages, I'm sure you said that there are many different types.

But when it comes to the most, it is not that the most advanced semiconductors only are used in the automobile. So they I believe some ECU contain those 200 micrometre wafer, those legacy types are used as well. So the legacy semiconductors for the semiconductor producers ROE is - ROI is low. So they don't have a priority on producing them first.

So as the shortages gets resolved, that type of production might be a bottleneck.

Do you agree with me? And then another question is, are you really trying to do some IC - ECU integration so that you might come up with a new technology for production like using 28 nanometer or 22 nanometer ECU? Would you be considering integration into those types over like five years or so? I'm just wondering if you have that kind of strategy.

And then my second question is concerning your prospects for the raw materials resources prices, I think. I think back in 2017, there was some surging prices.

So I'm sure that there is a chance that it might go down, but like the copper and then rare metals, because people go to electronics, there those prices, the demand will be increasing for those structurally.

So I believe even if there's some fluctuation in the prices, they will be structurally, the long term wise - long term, I believe the prices might go up. I'm just wondering if you have that kind of prospects for the prices..

For the semiconductor on a long term, of course, we need to think about how we - how much of a stock we want to hold.

And then we might think about, like reviewing contracts about purchase agreements, also relationship with the semiconductor manufacturers, we need to consider the supply chain and also, we need to maybe work with the - try to increase our toughness against semiconductor supply issues like working with the Tier 1 company.

So we are taking those actions at the same time. Currently, we are doing tests to use the off-the-shelf semiconductor as well. And then with that, we are trying to think of different options to obtain semiconductors, secure semiconductor supplies. Of course, we believe that the semiconductor shortage will continue going forward.

So we will continue to think of and then take actions in order to secure stable supply of semiconductors in different ways. That completes my answer..

Okay, and then about our view on the resource prices. As I mentioned already earlier, it is true that the PGM, for them precious metals, at the beginning of the fiscal year because of a speculation, there was the - unit price went really surged high. And depending on the market, so there are some metals where structurally the demand could be high.

So we do consider the price can stay high, structurally or long term. So how do we minimize the impact from that? So maybe we come up with alternative materials for that for certain parts in the car or can we review our specifications so that we can reduce the amount we use.

And then the purchase contracts, can we maybe do a long term contract, and then we will take actions, different actions. And if it has to be, we might transfer the cost increase to the prices. But anyway, so simply put, we do expect that there's a possibility that the prices go up. Okay. Thank you..

Next question. NHK, Mr. [Tubly], please..

[Tubly] from NHK. How do you do? About the raw material, this is a follow up to the previous question. Crude oil price is extremely high now. For steel, aluminum, you gave those examples, but about crude oil price? Sorry, I think that this has an impact on resin manufacturers.

So how much of an impact does it have? Currently, how much of an impact is it having? And going forward, if this should continue going forward? And how much impact are you foreseeing?.

As we've been saying, yes, oil is about $85 per barrel. So it's extremely high. And for resin you said, yes and plastic and they are being made from crude oil and the painting - the coating on cars, again, this is made from crude oil. Currently, the prices have not gone up, but if the crude oil prices continue to soar, it will have an impact.

The question then is how will we come up with alternative materials, we are currently researching that and so that we wouldn't try to absorb the cost increase coming from the raw material costs increase. So we also tried to offset with reducing the cost in other areas, so as to be able to offer our customers with good products.

And, yes, as you say, Mr. [Tubly], the components that we use, the impact of crude oil price increase is something that we are factoring in. Thank you..

Thank you. The next question comes from weekly Toyo Keizai, Mr. [Yokoyama], please..

This is a Yokoyama from Toyo Keizai. Thank you. I have two questions as well. First one is the profitability, profit margin in Automobile business. So it's 2.6% at the end of second quarter. So it's 1.0. - it looks like it's gotten better from 1.0% for the fourth term.

But how do you view that? You talked about the incentive coming down? But I'm just wondering if the Automobile business renovation is taking, bearing fruit? Or I'm just wondering if the - maybe the stock has gotten lower and maybe that's what's the boosting the profitability? And I mean just like [indiscernible]. Second question is about the battery.

So you said you're thinking about a lot of investment. You have not made it clear whom you might team up with in Japan. I'm sure you cannot mention any name but if you could tell me your approach. And then for so, you got GM in States and CATL for China. But do you have any multiple sourcing idea for those markets as well? Thank you..

Okay, about the Automobile business operations profitability. As Mr. Yokoyama said, the Automobile business of essence, we consider this a big challenge in our company. So we have been working to renovate, innovate the profitability of Automobile business. And then within that, in the production volume, we wanted to optimize the production volume.

So in UK and Turkey, we have compressed fixed costs in those markets. And then even against the - even amidst the COVID, we have had some good results. So for UK, let's say, we have stopped production already. And then Sayama plant will close at the - stop production at the end of December.

And also, we have some - brought in some organizational changes that brought some efficiency and R&D. So the automobile development team used to be in R&D, we have moved it to Honda Motors organization, so that we can provide better efficiencies or better products to our customers through lower prices. So we have been doing those innovation projects.

So we are seeing good benefits. But this will take several years for the full benefits to come through. So by then we will have solid profitability from Automobile business.

But if you think about the efficiency of development work and the optimization of production, and then I don't know how we - we still need to consider how we are going to do this together in the EV business. So we will need to make way to next opportunity.

So, so far we have been optimizing, and then we have been getting better benefits from optimizing the existing businesses anyway. And then now the incentive is lower, and then the stock level is lower, so profitable is getting higher.

But if the - so do we have to bring back the incentive when the stock comes back? I guess we cannot really say no, outright, considering the competition. But now we've come up with a good profitability structure - foundation for structure.

So we probably would have to work better so that we can provide better products or better value to our customers at a lower incentive. So it's not going to be that, the incentives comes right back just because the stock went back up, so we hope that we continue to - can continue to secure good profits..

Okay, about the battery strategy. As I mentioned earlier, for large markets, for China and then States, like I've said, we got GM for States, and then we got CATL for China. Those are the ideas that we have.

And at the same time for Japan and for other markets, right now we are still considering but our stance to that is that for Japan, we want to produce batteries in Japan, and then consume them in Japan so we can contribute to the local economy. That's the consideration for the Japan market. We don't have any specific thing we can share with you.

About the - and then also for multiple sourcing for the other markets, for States and the US, we need to think about the State's-China relationship as well. So we need to closely monitor the situation and then make decisions. There is possibility, I'd say, that's all I can say for now..

Thank you very much. The next question will be the last question Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, [Atami]-san, please? Ms. Atami. Ms. Atami, can you hear us? Please check if you are unmuted? Ms. Atami can check whether you are unmated? We apologize. She does not. She doesn't seem to be able to unmute..

So with this, we would like to conclude today's FY22 second quarter financial results that presentation material and what we have presented today will appear on our website. We thank you for joining us today..