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16 11.5 to 11.10.2018 Salão do Automóvel S ão Paulo - Honda will start the production of the Fit model at its plant in Itirapina, SP, in January, the first stage of the lines’ transfer from Sumaré, SP, to the new unit. Its president Issao Mizoguchi said (on Tuesday, 6, during his presentation at the Salão do Autovóvel) that the factory’s capacity will be of 120 thousand units in two shifts – but (at first) only one will be installed. All models - City, Civic, Fit, HR-V and WR-V - will leave the new factory’s lines, like what happens in Sumaré. Asked about a possible increase in production volume, the president said it is possible to expand the unit’s capacity, which occupies part of a large land - even produce in Sumaré again is in the plans.  Mizoguchi estimates growth next year based on its vehicles range and chain and aftermarket structure: “Our projection this year is to grow 2% and maintain next year’s growth level”.  Novelties in the Salão - Honda has announced the HR-V Touring with 1.5 turbo engine, which will arrive in Brazil early next year. It also presented the Honda Accord 2019, priced at R$ 198.5 thousand, which brings the Honda Sensing as a relevant novelty, a safety package that offers adaptive autopilot with speed reduction based on the car ahead, braking system for collision mitigation, lane assistance system, lane departure mitigation system and traffic sign recognition system performed by sensors that equip the car.  During the press conference, Honda also announced that will start selling the WR-V model in Argentina this year. Honda to start engines in Itirapina Caio Bednarski | caio@autodata.com.br Disclosure.