Honda trims 2008/09 global sales forecast

TOKYO, July 25 (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co (7267.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Friday it now expects the dollar to average 101 yen instead of 100 yen in the business year ending in March.

It sees the euro at a more favourable 162 yen instead of 155 yen it expected three months ago.

It also forecast group-based global vehicle sales for the 2008/09 business year to total 4.08 million units, down from its previous forecast of 4.14 million.

Sales in North America are expected to come to 1.745 million units, down from 1.77 million in its early forecast. It kept its Japan sales projection for 2008/09 at 620,000 units. European sales are seen at 455,000 units instead of 470,000 units, and Asia ex-Japan sales were seen at 890,000 instead of 920,000. (Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim; Editing by Hugh Lawson)