DEBORAH AMOS, host: NPR's business news starts with a car maker who's still cruising.</s>DEBORAH AMOS, host: And it's Honda, which reported a surprise increase in profits. The 8 percent jump comes despite higher material costs and a stronger yen, which makes Japanese exports more expensive. U.S. automakers are closing plants and report losses. Honda's North American factories are still operating near full capacity. The company's been able to scale back more easily on its SUV and truck production and boost production of its more fuel-efficient Civics and Accords.
The automaker Honda has reported an 8-percent increase in profits, overcoming higher material costs and a stronger yen. North American plants are still operating near full capacity. The company has scaled back SUV and truck production and emphasized fuel-efficient Civics and Accords.