Honda's chief executive welcomed the U.S. government decision to extend loans to American automakers Thursday, but said their problems highlighted their slow response to soaring gas prices.
"It is totally proper for the U.S. government to help out U.S. automakers," Takeo Fukui told reporters in Tokyo, adding that Honda also relies on the same parts makers in the United States.
Last month, President George Bush signed a sprawling stopgap spending bill, including a $25 billion in taxpayer-subsidized loans to the troubled U.S. automakers.