Honda is aiming to expand its European market footprint by producing “unique” cars that “touch the sweet spot” for customers and major on engineering supremacy.

 

The Japanese company sold just 72,000 cars in Europe last year - down from a record 313,000 sales in the region as recently as 2007, putting it roughly level with compatriot luxury brand Lexus.

 

Mazda and Suzuki each more than doubled that figure in the same period, while even struggling Nissan clocked nearly 300,000 sales and Toyota nudged 900,000.