Honda Malaysia Archives

New Honda Accord marries grown up looks with sporty performance characteristics

Honda USA has just revealed what the upcoming 10th generation Accord will look like. Sporting a completely new look, the car is lower, wider and has a shorter length. It is said to have a lighter and more rigid body structure featuring an advanced new chassis design as well as two all-new turbo engines.

The signature chrome grille stretches across the entire front end and is flanked by the sophisticated 9-lamp LED headlights system. The front bumper has a two piece design with the blackened centre portion being integrated with the grille assembly. The contours provide the car with a muscular presence while the roof features a sleek and fluidic silhouette that tapers off toward the rear end.

The shorter overhangs, 10mm lower centre of gravity as well as the long and low hood give the entire design a more sporty look especially when viewing the car from the side. This should be to the liking of those who want a D-segment car but with the looks that allow it to fit in just about anywhere.

Like The Honda Civic, the Accord features angular rear taillights but features a broader and more grown up asthetic. Unlike the previous generation one, the new Accord has a hatchback design for the rear, which should help increase cargo carrying capacity.

Honda constructed the new Accord using the Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure that has a crash stroke front frame and tailor-tempered rear frame members that will improve crash energy absorption. The extensive use of adhesives for the car’s bodywork is to increase rigidity, noise and weight reduction.

Speaking of the new car, Jeff Conrad, senior vice president of the Automobile Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc, said, “We are redefining the Honda Accord for a new generation of buyers by bringing something unexpected that challenges the idea of what a mainstream sedan can. Even as we advance core values like great driving dynamics, safety performance and efficiency, the distinctive design of this all-new 2018 Honda Accord will help it appeal to both head and heart in equal measure.”

There are two engines to choose from, the first, a 1.5-litre turbo that can be mated to either a CVT or 6-speed manual, produces 192bhp and 260Nm of torque. The 2.0-litre turbo engine, produces 252bhp and is similar to what powers the Civic Type R. This particular engine replaces the 3.5-litre normally aspirated V6 in the previous generation Accord.

This 2.0-litre powerplant is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, which Honda boasts takes greater advantage of available torque while maximizing quietness and efficiency during highway cruising. The hybrid variant gets two electric motors that aids a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engine deliver fuel sipping driving behaviour. These motors utilize magnets that have no heavy rare-earth metals in them, which is a first in the industry.

Inside the cabin, occupants are treated to a panoramic front view thanks to the spacious construction of the A-pillars. The upholstery is tastefully done, complete with well crafted arm rests. Buttons and switches are arranged in a rather neat manner, which is what we have come to expect from automakers like Honda. It has even gone on to say that the meticulous attention to detail on their part has aided the switchgear throughout the cabin, to have the required tactile and visual quality feel.

The instrument cluster is made up of a slim 7-inch TFT display that is complemented by a new 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that offers physical volume and tuning knobs. These are welcomed additions considering how cumbersome it can be to turn down the audio volume on a conventional fully touchscreen system.

As far as safety tech is concerned, the new Accord comes with Honda Sensing® safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard. It comprises of the Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and new Traffic Sign Recognition.

Additional available driver-assistive technologies include Blind Spot Information, front and rear parking sensors, Cross Traffic Monitor and Driver Awareness Monitor. All variants feature a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with dynamic guidelines.

Then, there’s the standard stuff that comes with most Honda cars these days, which are Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, Anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), advanced front airbags, driver and front-passenger side airbags and new driver and front-passenger knee airbags.

Over here in Malaysia, we wait with baited breathe for the launch of this new Accord. It may take a while before we hear any news about its local launch, but we are still hoping that Honda hastens the process.

Honda Malaysia launches new CR-V

Honda Malaysia has launched their latest addition to their ever-growing fleet of premium vehicles in the Malaysian market but instead of just any model with a few updates, they’ve raised the bar to greater heights with the 2017 Honda CR-V. The fifth generation CR-V has been completely reengineered from the ground up to give the best driving experience coupled with the most state-of-the-art vehicle technology.

Following the recent launch of the all-new Honda Jazz Sport Hybrid i-DCD and the Civic 1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC, the new CR-V has the best of both worlds when it comes to power as well as futuristic vehicle capabilities.

According to Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Katsuto Hayashi, he said “To set a higher benchmark in the segment and exceed customers’ expectations, Honda Malaysia has shifted to focus more on Advanced Technology starting with the introduction of the 1.5L VTEC Turbocharged Civic and New Jazz Sport Hybrid i-DCD”

“We are very excited to show you the 5th Generation All-New CR-V that is equipped with three key Advanced Technologies, the ‘1.5L VTEC Turbocharged Engine’, ‘Honda SENSING’ and advanced features such as ‘Programmable Power Tailgate’”.

“We believe this focus transition will lead us to make ‘Tomorrow’s Dream, Today’s Reality’. We are also proud to note that Malaysia is the first country in ASEAN that is introducing Honda SENSING, the Next Generation Advanced Safety Technology in the All-New CR-V.”

With a rapid decline on of the CR-V segment here in Malaysia from 2013 until early 2017, the new CR-V is said to be Honda’s ultimate game-changer to take over the market share in the vehicle class. The ever growing demand of SUVs in the market that’s able to provide high levels of safety to the occupants, impressive fuel efficiency and pure driving enjoyment, the new CR-V offers all of these plus much, much more.

In terms of design, the exterior of the new CR-V showcases Honda’s fundamental ideas on modern functional dynamic facade combined with their signature specifications like the Daytime Running Lights and turn signals which you will notice in the car’s front advanced full LED headlights as well as the rear lights. This gives the latest generation CR-V a much bolder and tougher appearance without being too aggressive or tacky.

The interior has gone through a major makeover according to Honda’s “Man Maximum, Machine Minimum’ design principle. The sporty yet spacious interior allows for greater driving experience as well as a heighten sense of comfort for all occupants especially for those seated in the rear seats where the new CR-V now offers an extra 90mm of luxurious legroom.

A more dynamic and modern styling design concept has been embedded into essence of the CR-V where all the high-tech goods are available for everyone to enjoy. Features like the 7-inch Advanced Display Audio that is compatible to both Android and Apple compatible with seamless smart connectivity and entertainment.

For all-round creature comforts, the CR-V comes with Dual-Zone Air-Conditioning to ensure all occupants are comfortable according to each individual’s preferences. Seeing how there would usually be more than one occupant apart from the driver, rear USB ports have been installed to allow easy charging of any of your mobile devices. There are also the comfortable combi leather seats with an eight-way power seat for the driver and a four-way for the front passenger for maximum posture position with a lot of comfort thrown into the package.

Going to the back, the new Programmable Power Tailgate (available on the 1.5TC-P 2WD variant only) gives a boost of convenience to future CR-V owners where they can easily control and adjust the opening height with a simple push of a button. This is the first time Honda is offering such a feature in the vehicle line up and best of all, it comes with a ‘Stop and Hold Programmable Height’ function without giving any hassle to the users.

Do also take note on the boot space where when the second row seats are folded flat, you’ll get a whopping 1,084 litres of storage space. The new CR-V is able to provide such space as there’s now an extra 250mm of space compared to the previous generation.

Take a peek under that front bonnet and you’ll get a very pleasant surprise. In total, there are a four different variants available ranging from the lowest 2.0-litre 2WD up to the awesome 1.5-litre turbocharged Premium 2WD. The two variants sitting right in the middle are the 1.5-litre turbocharged 2WD and 1.5-litre turbocharged 4WD.

All the engines have been developed under Honda’s Earth Dream Technology and with the first ever CR-V to be paired with the latest 1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC engine, it can produce a whopping 190hp at 6,500rpm and 243Nm of torque at 4,300rpm. Even the 2.0-litre is able to churn out 151hp and 189Nm of torque.

Earlier in the article, we also mentioned that the new CR-V comes with Honda’s SENSING™ which is Honda’s latest driving technology that’s probably be the ultimate driving aid system ever to be put in any production vehicle. The Honda SENSING™ comes with a few specifications such as Driving Cruising Aid (Adaptive Cruise Control and Low-Speed Follow), Frontal Collision Deterrence (Forward Collision Warning and Collision Mitigation Braking System) and Side Collision Deterrence (Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation and Lane Keep Assist System).

In the name of safety, the all-new CR-V also comes with six airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist, Agile Handling Assist, Hill Start Assist, Emergency Stop Signal, Electronic Brake Distribution, Anti-Lock Braking System and a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera available in the top variant.

The all new CR-V is priced from RM142,400 to RM167,700 (basic prices with GST) and is available in five different colours; Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, White Orchid Pearl, Obsidian Blue Pearl and the brand new Dark Olive Metallic.

To add more functionality to the CR-V, future owners can opt for a number of different accessory packages that ranges from RM1,900 to RM5,900. All new Honda CR-V comes with a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage.

Together with the launch of the brand new CR-V, Honda Malaysia also introduced their brand new line-up of merchandise centred on the “Challenging Spirit” value as their design core of inspiration. The new merchandise line-up includes t-shirts, polo shirts, sweaters, backpacks, water bottles and many more. The entire collection will be available at all 91 showrooms at the end of August 2017.

Sepp Iran

Does the Honda CR-V still matter?

The advent of crossover SUV vehicles has led to the decline in demand for full-size off-roaders. The allure of more compact dimensions, fuel sipping engines, lower maintenance costs and cheaper price tags seem too good to pass up. Vehicles like the Honda HRV, Ford EcoSport and Mitsubishi ASX have made buyers realise that a commanding driving position, wide track, mild off road capabilities and excellent cargo carrying capacity are attributes that are no longer reserved for massive 4×4 trucks.

Crossover vehicles like these can be classified as The Jack Of All Trades. They are able to behave like a city car due to their conventional suspension setup and relatively small dimensions, but when the need arises, be able to take on tougher terrain thanks to higher ground clearances and beefy tyres. Basically, its an SUV in a hatchback-like body or Connor McGregor in a tux.

Fully loaded, these vehicles come with a plethora of safety and tech kits that rival that offered in some luxury cars. Ride quality too, seems very car-like albeit things could be a whole lot better for a lot less money. If this really is the case and that crossovers are able to offer us the best of both worlds, why do we still need SUVs? And to a much larger extent, has Honda lost its marbles to place the HRV so close to its stalwart CR-V?

All this has led some to ask, is the CR-V still relevant when the BR-V and HR-V offer similar allure but at a considerably cheaper price point? Well, I decided to find out for myself, which is why i took the best equipped CR-V that Honda makes, on a road trip to find out if it’s still capable of being the staple of soccer moms and thrill-seeking dads.

This 4th generation CR-V comes from a long line of trusted Honda workhorses hearkening back to 1997 with the introduction of the first generation CR-V to grass our shores. It’s been a mainstay on our roads ever since, thanks to its ability to offer utilitarian-like versatility in a handsome body as well as with plush leather seats and infotainment amenities that millennials can’t do without.

Right off the bat, you will notice that the CR-V is as docile as a Toyota Corolla. Its keyless entry system negates the need to have to pull out the remote every time you need to unlock the doors. It senses your proximity to the door, and unlocks it – it’s that simple. The door handles require little effort to operate, the doors themselves weigh about the same as those on a regular car, the seats offer a snug fit and the controls are very car-like despite having a 4WD drivetrain.

There’s even a little green button adorned with a leaf-like logo, that when pushed, gives the vehicle a more sedate, fuel sipping characteristics and that also acts as your eco adviser, informing you of how frugal you are while prodding the throttle pedal.

Tech wise, this CR-V is a bit long in the tooth and is due for a much needed upgrade. It falls behind in terms of usability and convenience in comparison to the more modern touchscreen setups offered by a number of competitors. But that should soon change when the new generation CR-V is launched in the coming months, but I digress.

Up till this point, there’s very little that will have you believe that you are in fact, seated in a rather large vehicle that is 4,590mm long, 1,820mm wide and weighs nearly 1.6 tons. Everything seems conventional, commonplace and ordinary – it feels like a slightly wider Honda City, by comparison.

Its capacious cabin is very accommodating to taller occupants offering decent head and legroom for four adults to sit comfortably and without an incessant need to make constant positional adjustments in the name of comfort. Another plus point of having a large vehicle like the CR-V is the carnivorous luggage space that is able take in 586 litres of cargo with the back seats up, and 1146 litres with them folded down.

See, after taking all of this in, conventional wisdom will have you believe that the sheer heft of this Honda should put its handling at skittish predisposition. But it doesn’t and that is what baffles most first time drivers. It is a vehicle that can be likened to a Labrador Retriever – ever willing to please its master. You need only put in a smigen of effort and it will try its best to do the rest.

The car we had, was the full spec 2.4-litre variant that had the performance gusto to match its brawny apprearence. Now, Honda does offer the CR-V with a smaller and less powerful 2.0-litre engine and 2WD setup, which should prove to be more economical in the city, but its bigger brother is the one you want. That’s because its more powerful engine, fills in a lot of the glaring gaps in torque of the 2.0-litre powerplant, which robs it of quite a bit of driving enjoyment.

Coupled with the rather smooth shifting 5-speed automatic transmission, our CR-V makes sudden bursts of acceleration an enjoyable affair. Pulling away from traffic stops is a breeze to say the least and stopping power is just as commendable thanks to the powerful 4-wheel-disc brake setup.

These characteristics provide the vehicle with the much needed performance especially when meandering past B-roads or lugging the entire family up steep inclines. It’s almost car-like in performance which relegates its dimensions to the back of your mind while you enjoy flicking it into tight turns with blatant disregard for your passengers impending digestion issues.

Reigning in such behaviour is the job of the vehicle stability assist system, which is very effective at keeping in-check the vehicle’s pitch and traction – ensuring that it is kept out of harm’s way.

Despite my overwhelming adoration for this particular Honda, I do have one major gripe with it. And that pertains to the suspension setup. There’s the MacPherson strut setup upfront and a double wishbone arrangement at the rear – typical of a vehicle of this nature. But the ride quality that this combination offers, is one that leaves a lot to be desired.

It’s pliant at city speeds and on level roads but the moment you come across noticeable undulations at higher speeds, that changes, making the ride irritatingly willowy, which lends a sense of vagueness to its perceived capabilities and its ability to do what you ask of it.

And while the steering is almost effortless to operate, its electrically assisted motorised setup robs much of the feel and confidence that a hydraulic one would offer. Had there been a little more weight to it, the steering would deliver an experience that can be considered the best of both worlds.

Apart from this, there’s very little that I can fault the CR-V for, its a decent vehicle, and while there isn’t much you can do to alter its 4WD power distribution, as is the case for more serious off-roaders, it’s good enough – which brings me back to the point of this article.

Yes, the CR-V is every bit relevant today as it was in 1997, its a dependable all-rounder that can handle long distance road trips without breaking a sweat as well as functioning as the daily runabout of the average home maker. It’s just as at home ferrying the kids to school and tackling the weekly grocery shopping to the more heavy duty offroad stuff.

This isn’t something that can be said of the HR-V or BR-V though. While they can accomplish a number of daunting tasks meant for bigger vehicles, they can’t accomplish it with the poise and confidence offered by the CR-V. This then, lends credence to the notion that the CR-V is the most capable of the lot, and should you find yourself wanting a vehicle that can do it all yet offer worry-free motoring – this is the vehicle for you.

Piston Review Rating: 7/10
Honda CR-V Specifications
Engine: 2.4L 4WD i-VTEC
Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic
Horsepower: 188bhp
Torque: 222Nm

New Honda Jazz launched for Malaysian market

Honda has finally launched the facelifted version of its every popular city car, the Jazz. No drastic changes have been made for the updated car, which features subtle styling changes that include a new chrome front grille and a rear bumper. But this time around, Honda has made the Mugen pack, worth RM5,670 available as an optional extra. The package consists of front, sides, rear lip spoiler and tailgate spoiler that are of a sporty design.

That said, the Mugen pack will only be made available to order in October of this year but if you purchase the new car now, you can opt for the Urban (RM1,580) and Utility (RM820) packages to add a unique touch to the cheerful Jazz.

Two versions of the Jazz were launched simultaneously. There’s the standard petrol powered car and the halo one, the Jazz Hybrid, which is touted as the only such car in its class. The petrol car uses a 1.5-litre i-VTEC mill and CVT transmission found in its predecessor but its electrified brethren comes with a more sophisticated powertrain.

Under the hood is a brand new 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine that is mated to a (Shift by Wire) seven-speed dual clutch transmission and its integrated electric motor. This combination, according to Honda, will offer respectible power delivery and sporty character that is relatively unheard of in this category. Juice for the electric motor is supplied by a new Lithium-ion battery pack that can store more electrical energy than the one in the previous generation car but with half the size.

When pushed to the limit, with both the petrol and electric motor being active, the Jazz Hybrid is able to deliver a total output of 137bhp and 160Nm of torque which is similar to what a 1.8 or 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine is able to offer. All this power will be made available by the Sport Hybrid i-DCD unit once the S button is pressed, making power delivery a bit more peppy than its petrol powered equivalent. But, when driven frugally, the car is said to be able to offer a fuel consumption figure of 4.0-litre/100km.

The regular petrol powered Jazz comes in three different variants, S,E and V, which isn’t the case with the hybrid one (only one version is available). The E and V variants get DRLs, touch panel auto air-conditioning, reverse camera and 6.8-inch infotainment system. The top spec V car gets a bit more stuff such as dual-tone color alloy wheels, paddle shifters, cruise control and half leather seats.

The Jazz Hybrid however, gets a 3D Speed Meter design information display that shows Energy Flow, Sport Meter, Fuel Economy, Drive Info, Customization and Eco Display, as well as the same preimum stuff found in the base Jazz.

Safety tech for the cars include standard Brake Assist (BA), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), four airbags (6 airbags for V variant), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) and Hill Start Assist (HSA).

As for body colour options, the Jazz comes in Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Carnival Red, Taffeta White and Crystal Black Pearl whereas the New Jazz Hybrid will be available in Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic and White Orchid Pearl.

The regular base car is priced at RM74,800 for S variant, RM81,000 for E variant, RM88,400 for V variant and the Jazz Hybrid is priced at RM87,500 (on the road with GST). All variants come with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty but the Hybrid gets gets an additional 8-years warranty for its battery pack.

If you would like to know more, visit the automaker’s local website and make an informed decision on whether the Jazz is the right car for you.

Honda to introduce new CR-V to Malaysians soon

Honda will be launching the 5th generation CR-V very soon and that should have many Malaysians excited. It is a complete redesign, both inside and out with the vehicle featuring muscular styling and a plethora of driver aids that are more common place in expensive German luxury cars.

For the new CR-V, Honda’s designers incorporated more angular styling compared to that used by its predecessor. The LED projector headlights are elongated and blend with the contours of the front fascia. The grille is wider and more prominent at the front, giving the vehicle a more rugged look. The signature chrome bar that stretches across the grille features a two piece design with the thin upper section stretching across the entire front end.

The side profile is not that far off from the 4th gen vehicle but the lower roof line and wider side countours are more sporty attributes that will make it a more appealing SUV. At the rear, Honda chose a simple yet elegant design with the two piece rear lights arrangement that are integrated with the metal chrome trim panel, which stretches from one side of the boot to the other.

Despite not growing much in size, the new CR-V is still bigger compared to the vehicle it replaces. It’s 4,584mm long, 1,855mm wide and 1,679mm high but that increases 10mm for the 4WD model. It has a wheelbase of 2,660mm and offers decent ground clearance of 198mm for the 2WD one and 208mm for the 4WD variant. Honda says that cabin space is best in class and will be quite accommodating to taller passengers. Cargo space is good too, with about 1,084 litres with the rear seats fare folded flat to the floor.

This is all well and good but the features that deserve the most praise are the driver aids. Unlike previous generation CR-V vehicles, the new one, has cutting-edge tech that should boost any driver’s confidence while on the road. Called Sensing, the system makes use of a monocular camera on the top of the windshield and milimeter wave radar in the grille to detect obstacles, impending collisions and other safety related risks.

This Sensing safety suite consists of seven features, which are Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Low-Speed Follow (LSF), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW).

The ACC and LSF features allow the driver to set a desired cruising speed and take both feet of the pedals, which will then allow the vehicle to maintain said speed, apply brakes and when necessary accelerate to maintain a safe distance to the vehicle in front. It even works in stop and go traffic situations, which should be a major benefit to those who face traffic jams on a regular basis.

Forward Collision Warning and Collision Mitigation Braking work together to act as the driver’s third eye. When the FCW detects a risk of a collision with the vehicle in front, it triggers visual warning audible alerts to the driver. CMB on the other hand, scans traffic conditions in front of the vehicle and if it detects a potential collision, it will automatically apply the brakes to slow the vehicle down and reduce the severity of a collision.

Besides front collision, impacts from the sides are also a major concern especially when crossing intersections. Here too, Honda’s new CR-V has your back covered. Through the use of Lane Keeping Assist, the system uses the vehicle’s camera to monitor lane markings and adjust steering input to ensure that the vehicle stays in its lane.

Road Departure Mitigation is a warning system that alerts the driver (when speeds are within 72km/h to 180km/h) when he or she veers off into another driver’s lane or too close to the edge of the road. The steering wheel will vibrate to alert the driver, and when necessary, steering and braking input will be made automatically to keep the CR-V out of harm’s way.

Lastly, there’s Lane Departure Warning which is integrated with the Road Departure Mitigation system. It will remind drivers to use the appropriate signal lights if it detects that the vehicle crosses into another lane without the proper use of the turn signals.

Honda will be conducting five roadshows this month across the country to allow Malaysians to have a closer look at the new CR-V before it’s official launch for our market. If you are interested in the vehicle, the following are the respective locations where Honda will conduct the aforementioned roadshows.

4 June 2017 Gurney Paragon, Penang 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

7 – 11 June 2017 Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

11 June 2017 Imago Mall, Kota Kinabalu 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

16 – 18 June 2017 AEON Tebrau City, Johor Bahru 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

18 June 2017 Plaza Merdeka, Kuching 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

If you wish to buy the CR-V, you can pre-book the SUV at any of the 91 authorised Honda dealerships nationwide right now and be one of the first to drive it home when it is offically launched. For more information, visit the automaker’s local website at www.honda.com.my.

Kemunculan Perdana Dunia Bagi Honda Jazz Hibrid 2017 Di Malaysia, Honda Jazz (Petrol) Dibuka Untuk Tempahan

(Dari kiri ke kanan): En. Katsuto Hayashi (Pengarah Urusan dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif HMSB), Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Henry Sum Agong (Timbalan Menteri Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan), Mr. Roslan Abdullah (Ketua Pegawai Operasi HMSB), Datuk Aishah Ahmad (Presiden MAA

Model Honda Jazz Hibrid 2017 membuat kemunculan pertamanya di dunia di acara Carlist.my MAA Drive, Test & Buy pada hujung minggu lalu.
Model Honda Jazz varian petrol pula akan memulakan lawatannya mengelilingi Malaysia bermula dengan Standard Chartered KL Marathon yang akan datang.

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New Honda Jazz open for bookings

Honda Malaysia has opened the order books for the new Jazz at all authorized dealerships in the country. The car is expected to hit showrooms sometime in the second quarter of this year followed by the Sport Hybrid variant, which is slated for launch in the third quarter of the year.

The Jazz was first introduced to Malaysian customers in 2003 and since then, the nameplate has sold more than 77,700 cars in the country. More than half of the sales were for the third generation car, which was introduced in 2014. Honda has managed to sell 4,400 cars from January to April of this year accounting for 13% of total revenue for the Japanese automaker in Malaysia.

And with the launch of the new car, Honda plans on continuing this sales momentum for the next few years. Honda says that the new car was developed after taking into consideration customer needs and feedback. As such, the new car is said to appeal to people of all ages who require practicality, versatility and attractive modern design. It will have a new chrome front grille, new front and rear bumper design, dual tone colour alloy wheels and LED DRLs.

The petrol powered car will have teh same 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine that is mated to a CVT gearbox that was developed under the company’s Earth Dreams Technology division. The Hybrid variant on the other hand, will be fitted with a new 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC powerplant that is fitted with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission that is integrated with an electric motor. The system will improve efficiency, drivability and regenerative energy that was offered by the previous Jazz. Power output for the Hybrid Jazz is rated at 135bhp which is about the same as what you would’ get from higher displacement conventional engines.

The Lithium-ion battery pack, called the Intelligent Power Unit (IPU), has a higher capacity than that in the previous generation car and offers better performance. It has been under the boot floor and is able to offer 1.5 times the energy capacity of its predecessor while still managing to be lighter and more compact in size.

The Smart Entry and Push Start ignition systems will be fitted as standard on all Jazz variants. There’s also half-leather seats and a reverse camera system that will also be made available to customers. And like other Honda models, the Jazz will be loaded with safety tech that include, Brake Assist (BA), Anti-Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) and Hill Start Assist (HSA) as well as 6 Airbags and ISO Fix.

So, if you are in the market for a new car and if the Jazz has caught your eye, visit any authorized Honda dealer for details or visit the automaker’s local site to learn more about the car.

Honda announces great sales figures and campaigns

Honda Malaysia has announced that sales figures from January to April of this year have been good and has put the automaker on track to achieve its sales target of 100,000 vehicles. This will it to keep the top spot among non-nationl manufacturers based on total industry volume (TIV) this year.

As of now, Honda has achieved 35% of its sales target with 34,500 vehicles sold at the end of April. Compared to last year, sales has risen by 40% or 9,800 more vehicles were sold. Attributing to that number is the new BR-V that racked up 7,800 orders and the new City which has received 7,200 bookings since its launch in March.

Demand for the Civic has risen too with 840 vehicles sold per month. Prior to the introduction of the 10th gen car, the Civic nameplate was only receiving 50 to 200 orders, which says a lot of the new car’s appeal.

And to ensure that the Japanese automaker keeps up with demand especially with the upcoming festive season, Honda’s two production lines will be adjusted so that waiting periods do not exceed 2 months and that with the increased production, quality control isn’t effected either.

Besides these sales figures, Honda Malaysia also announced new prices for the HR-V and CR-V 2.0 2WD due to re-classification under the new customs tariff code. Pricing for the HR-V 1.8L S is now RM101,100, E is RM110,700 and the V variant is RM121,000. The price of the two-wheel-drive CR-V has been adjusted to RM141,500.

As a means to allure more potential buyers to the brand, Honda will be organizing two campaigns this month. The ‘Nikmati Musim Bonus’ will take place from 1st May 2017 to 31st May 2017. During this period, Honda is offering customers 2 years of free vehicle servicing (parts & labour) or cash options. The second campaign, is a nationwide showroom event which will be conducted in conjunction with Mother’s Day on 13th May 2017.

The event will take place from 10am to 4pm and will feature a whole host of activities for the appreciation of mothers, which include roses and Mother’s Day cards made by their own children in the Honda showroom. Other activities include test drive gifts and lucky draws, which should prove to be fun and enjoyable for the whole family.

Honda produces 600,000th vehicle at Pagoh Plant

Honda has reached another milestone, but this time, its for the production of the 600,000th vehicle at its local plant in Pagoh, Melacca. Besides this, there was more cause for celebration because the vehicle that allowed the automaker to hit that figure, which was a Honda City, also aided Honda in achieving its 100,000th sale of the current fiscal year (1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017).

It has been 14 years since Honda’s Pagoh plant began operations and in the beginning, it only had a single manufacturing line which could only cater to the assembly of four different vehicles which were, the CR-V, City, Civic and Accord. Since 2014 however, the company added a second line at the facility that allowed it to manufacture more models at the same time to cope with market demand.

Speaking of the milestone, Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Katsuto Hayashi said, “The addition of the No.2 Line in 2014 has enabled Honda Malaysia to grow at an accelerated rate. We achieved 300,000 production units in just three years as compared to 11 years taken earlier to reach the first 300,000 units. I believe this was achieved through good strategy and strong challenging spirit from the Honda family.”

Honda says that due to these two manufacturing lines at Pagoh, it has been able to shorten the waiting period for vehicles that are in high demand by rearranging the processes to increase capacity where needed. The automaker has even gone so far as to say that for high demand vehicles like the BR-V, the waiting period for any customer to receive his/her vehicle, is only about 1 to 2 months.

The plant has some of the latest technologies such as the automated Smart Welding Machine to produce high rigidity body frames and a painting facility that features Spray Robots and does under body coating. All vehicles that roll off of the production line are put through the 2.1km long test course to ensure that they pass Honda’s quality and safety standards.

Despite the praise that the automaker lavished on its state of the art facility, it also attributed this milestone achievement to the tireless efforts of its legion of dealers, suppliers, employees and partners.

Honda opens new 4S centre in Kelantan

Honda customers in Kelantan should be happy with the news that the state’s first Honda 4S centre is now open for business. The 4S centre (Ban Chu Bee Honda 4S Centre), which comprises of sales, service and spare parts departments as well as a paint and body shop boasts a total build up area of 62,200 square feet.

It is said that a total of RM22 million was invested in the facility which features a slew of amenities for Honda owners or potential owners to enjoy while waiting to be attended to. Some of them include a customer lounge and an executive lounge, complimentary Wi-Fi services, kid’s corner and a surau.

There are 20 service bays available at the facility with bays for fast service (5 bays) , tyre service (1 bay), general repair (8 bays) and for air-conditioning (1 bay).

Previously, Honda was only capable of servicing 22,600 vehicles a year in Kelantan but thanks to the launching of the new facility, the ceiling has now been raised to 22,00 vehicles a year. The facility is not only the largest of its kind in Kelantan, but in the entire east coast too.

Honda has had a great start to 2017 with its BR-V receiving 10,000 bookings while the facelifted City received close to 3,000 bookings since its launch three weeks ago. The Japanese automaker isn’t done just yet, as it is currently planning to launch another two more models sometime in the coming months.

Speaking of the latest growth in customer base, Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Katsuto Hayashi said, “Last year, Honda Malaysia sold 91,830 units and of this total, the East Coast region contributed 8% with sales of more than 7,200 Honda vehicles. Kelantan contributed 34.6% towards this regional sales and Honda Jazz was the favourite among the customers here. In the past five years, Honda Malaysia sales in East Coast region have increased by 172%.”

Expect more from Honda soon but till then, if you plan on getting your Honda serviced at the latest 4S centre in Kelantan, contact Ban Chu Bee (Honda 4S Centre) at 09-744 3337 / 09-744 5893 which is located at Lot 1349, Jalan Pasir Mas-Salor 15100 Kota Bharu, Kelantan.