Honda blames China management for strikes

Honda Motor (HMC.NYSE, 7267.TYO) President Takanobu Ito placed blame for the series of disruptive strikes in China on managers at the company’s China subsidiary, the Financial Times reported. The strikes set back Honda production in China by nearly 20,000 vehicles, and the ensuing wage rises Honda was forced to promise to resume production further cut into margins. Honda says it will still meet its annual target of 632,000 cars in China through overtime shifts, but Honda sales were flat in May and June, underperforming the Chinese car market. Some have blamed Honda’s management culture for aggravating the problems, including an alleged unwillingness to promote Chinese managers.