Honda, which is committed to building a small car for India - smaller than the Jazz hatchback it plans to launch in India by mid-2009 - is already setting up a new plant in Thailand. At this plant, it’s second facility in that country, Honda will be making an all-new small car that will be sold in Thailand and also exported to Europe and Australia.
Honda has invested the equivalent of US$180 million in this new production facility, which is located next to its existing car plant in Ayutthaya, in Thailand. With an initial capacity of 120,000 units per annum, production at this plant is expected to begin by the end of this month.
The new Honda plant will be the first to operate under Thailand’s ‘eco car’ program, and will qualify for significant tax incentives. A total of seven eco-car plants have been approved by the Thai government so far, with Ford and Nissan scheduled to start production in late 2009.
The first generation Honda City was introduced in 1996, quickly responding to the growing needs for automobiles in Asian markets associated with economic growth in the region. Today, City is produced in seven countries and enjoyed by customers in 39 nations around the world.
As speculated Honda Cars India have launched the all new city today (i.e. 25th September), that is almost 15 days after its official launch in Thailand. It has been launched in three variants: E, S & S A/T which is the fully loaded model with paddle shift feature like they have in Honda Civic.
New Honda City has grown in every dimension. Everything is laid out nicely, and there is a quality feel to all the controls. The plastics are hard, but in a solid and chunky sort of way. The steering wheel is now adjustable for reach as well as height, which is a really excellent feature for this segment of the market.
Another nice touch is the iPod compatible USB connector. Although the Jazz already has this, the City has a very nicely integrated system. The display section of the audio system is hinged, opening to reveal a short USB cable which will accept your iPod cable.
The Japanese car maker, Honda Siel Cars India, is expecting a boost in sales in the festive season. It is all geared up for the upcoming pre and post Diwali festival in India. The new Honda Accord is averaging nearly 500 units a month as compared to earlier 250 to 300 units.
“On the back of our new launches we are hoping that sales will pick in the upcoming festival season,” Honda Siel Cars India Vice President (Marketing) Jnaneswar Sen told PTI on the sidelines of the SIAM Annual Convention 2008. “Our 2 litre sports utility vehicle (SUV) CRV is also doing well. We have already sold about 60 units of our Civic Hybrid also,” he added.
Honda also plans to launch the new and upgraded version of Honda City this year but any price indications for the same remain unannounced. The current version caters to the entry level sedan segment but the new model shall address the premium sedan customers.
Honda shall also launch its most awaited small car in India in 2009. It is working on a special model for India based on its Jazz model. It plans to expand its market share in the country which marks nearly two-third of small car sales out of total car sales.
Honda Automotive (Thailand) Co., Ltd. has started selling the all new Honda City in Thailand today. It will be sold in Thailand for between 524,000 to 694,000 Thai baht.
The new Honda City is powered by solely by a 1.5 liter i-VTEC engine mated to either a 5-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual It is 4,395mm long, 1,695mm wide and 1,470mm tall, so it is slightly longer (+5mm), slightly wider (+5mm) but not as tall (-25mm) as the previous model. Making it wider and not as high reduces the whole hatchback with a boot tagged on look that the City it replaces had.
Honda Thailand has put up a teaser TV commercial for the new Honda City up on their website. Nothing much is revealed except the new “Optimus Prime” front grille of the car, inspired by the Honda FCX Clarity.
