Bangkok - Honda-brand products exported from Thailand earned 80.98 billion baht (2.6 billion dollars) during the first nine months of this year, a 11 per cent increase year-on-year, Asian Honda Motor Comany announced Monday.

But exports of Honda automobiles, motorcycles and power products grew only 4 per cent in the third quarter, pointing to a downward trend.

"Compared with 18 per cent growth in second quarter 2008, the export growth is declining caused by several economic difficulties in the international economy including the financial crisis in the US which has affected the entire world, declining sales of large cars in major markets, the uncertainty of oil prices and inflation rates, " said Adisak Rohitasune, senior vice president for Asian Honda Motor Co.

During the nine-month period, Honda exported automobile models such as Cit, Jazz, Civic, Accord and CR-V worth 52.1 billion baht, up 9 per cent, to key markets including South-east Asia, India, Pakistan, Taiwan, China, Turkey and Brazil.

Motorcycle exports during the same period totalled 17.2 billion baht, while power products reached 7.9 billion and spare parts, dies and molds accounted for another 3.8 billion.

The Japanese firm started exporting from Thailand in 1987, and has to date exported 531.4 billion baht worth of automobiles, motorcycles and power products to over 80 countries worldwide. (dpa)