The Honda Malaysia assembly plant today crossed a significant milestone in its history – the production of its 1 millionth unit since commencing local assembly in 2003. The 1 millionth unit was the latest 11the generation of the Honda Civic Sedan.
Speaking at a special ceremony held at the plant, Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Madoka Chujo, said: “It has been 20 years since Honda Malaysia’s establishment in the country. We have evolved and recorded significant achievements since then. In March 2021, we achieved the 1 millionth sale unit milestone with all Malaysians. Just one year later, I am now celebrating another significant milestone with all of you the 1 millionth production unit. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all Honda associates and suppliers for their effort and hard work to ensure smooth production process and supply chain operations, even with many challenges faced, including the COVID-19 pandemic, global chip shortage and recent flood incidents. With their dedication, Challenging Spirit and working ‘Together As One’, we are able to achieve this remarkable 1 million production unit milestone.”
”Additionally, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dealers, members of the media and Honda customers for your unwavering support towards Honda Malaysia. We would also like to thank the Malaysian government for the strong support since the establishment of Honda Malaysia. On top of that, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Melaka State Government for their continued support for our plans for this Pegoh Plant. The tremendous support from all stakeholders has helped Honda Malaysia progress and enabled us to achieve the No.1 position in Non-National Passenger Vehicle segment for 8 consecutive years since 2014,” she said.
Although Honda vehicles have been assembled in Malaysia since the early 1970s, they were done so under contract assembly with Oriental Assemblers in Johor. With the establishment of Honda Malaysia (initially known as DRB-Oriental-Honda), the Japanese carmaker also made the decision to invest in having its own assembly plant as well. It chose a greenfield site in Pegoh, Melaka, adjacent to the North-South Expressway.
The first model assembled when the plant began operations in 2003 was the second generation Honda CR-V.
Investment in the plant, which took a brisk 13 months to go from construction to pilot production in 2003, started with RM180 million, with RM194 million earmarked for expansion over the following 5 years. The investment included RM20 million for a facility on the 80-acre site to assemble Constant Velocity (CV) joints for export to Honda plants in the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand under the ASEAN Industrial Cooperation Scheme (AICO). Later, the volumes made it the largest exporter of CV joints in the region and its products would go as far as the UK and Turkey.
Started with CR-V
The plant was initially built with a single line for an annual capacity of 50,000 vehicles. The first model to roll out was the second generation of the CR-V. All output from the plant was only for the Malaysian market and as the popularity of Hondas grew, demand rose so the production capacity was increased to 100,000 units a year with a second line being set up. By then, the number of models assembled locally totalled seven. In October 2013, local assembly of the Jazz Hybrid began, making Honda Malaysia the first company to assemble vehicles with hybrid electric technology locally.
The Honda Jazz Hybrid was the first locally assembled model with hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technology. Today, Honda Malaysia offers HEV technology with the City Sedan, City Hatchback and HR-V models, all assembled locally as well.
The flexible production capability allows different models to be assembled at the same time. There is also a range of state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies that are on par with the Honda plants in Japan. One of them is Laser Brazing technology which creates a smooth and clean roofline for a sleeker exterior appearance. Inner Frame Welding technology is also used to enhance the body rigidity, while the use of Spray Polyurethane Foam reduces noise and vibrations.
Malaysia considered ‘first country’ market
The steady progress made by the plant as well as growing sales volumes have raised the status of the Malaysian market where product planning is concerned. Since the fourth generation of the City, Malaysia has been considered a ‘first country’ instead of ‘second country’. The ‘second country’ status meant that whatever features were available were already decided earlier by ‘first countries’ such as India, Thailand and Indonesia. As such, Honda Malaysia had to adapt from what was already decided for other markets and that affected the cost of the parts made locally.
Being upgraded to ‘first country’ meant that Honda Malaysia could participate in the product planning for the new model and submit specific requests for features or equipment which were required for the Malaysian version. This enabled a greater degree of localization of parts which also led to lowering of production costs.
Manufacturing technologies at the assembly plant in Melaka have been constantly upgraded to enable the vehicles produced to be of the highest quality.
Besides its own factory, Honda Malaysia also encouraged some of its suppliers to set up facilities nearby so that delivery of parts would be faster and more efficient. This would support the Japanese approach of ‘Just-in-Time’ where storage of parts would be kept low, reducing the need for warehousing space.
Changing colour choices for new cars may seem like a simple thing for the marketing company – just tell the plant what new colour to paint and it will be done. However, the process of adding or changing to a new colour is actually not as easy, from what we understand from people in the industry. There must be evidence that the new colour is going to be popular and justify the plant or manufacturer doing durability tests, and in some cases, marketing people have told us that when they do try to ask for a colour change, the manufacturer will ask if it will result in more sales than with the current colour. If not, why waste time and money to develop and test a new colour?
But inevitably, colours have to be changed to refresh the range and Honda Malaysia does that periodically. Their latest new colour options are for the best-selling City and flagship Accord models. Both models can now be ordered with a new Meteoroid Gray Metallic finish that replaces the Modern Steel Metallic colour. The City also gets a fresh and vibrant Ignite Red Metallic colour option, replacing the Passion Red Pearl colour.
“The Ignite Red Metallic and Meteoroid Gray Metallic colours are introduced in the All-New City Hatchback for the first time. Both colours have been well accepted by the market and we expanded the new colour options to the All-New Civic. To further excite the market, we are now offering these new colour options in the City and Accord as well. The new colours further emphasise the styling of the City and elevate the sleek profile of the Accord. We will continue to enhance our products to deliver the Joy of Buying to the customers,” said Madoka Chujo, Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO.
She said that sales of the latest 5th Generation City have exceeded 32,500 units since its launch. “It was Honda Malaysia’s best-selling model in January and February this year, with 38% contribution to the company’s overall sales during that period,” she added.
The current Accord is the 10th generation of the executive model and was introduced to the Malaysian market in 2020. It was the first time a Japanese mass market manufacturer introduced a turbocharged engine in a D-segment car. The model received favourable response from Malaysians with more than 2,200 units sold to date.
For more information on the City, Accord or other Honda models in Malaysia, visit any authorised Honda dealership. The locations of dealerships can be found at www.honda.com.my.
Like the other top non-national brands, Honda focusses largely on locally-assembled models as they can be priced competitively and sell in large volumes. Nevertheless, it also offers some models that are imported in CBU (completely built-up) form for customers who want something that the local range may not have.
One of these is the Odyssey which is now in its fifth generation. To date, Honda Malaysia has sold almost 2,000 units of the MPV which was introduced locally in 2003. The latest generation of the MPV is priced at RM275,311 without insurance and with half the applicable sales tax exempted (until June 30, 2022). The model continues to use a 2.4-litre i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine (172 ps/225 Nm) and CVT.
“The introduction of the New Odyssey caters to the needs of customers such as families and executives who seek a luxury 7-seater MPV with excellent ride comfort, elegant exterior and unrivalled utility features, all in one package. In addition, the refined exterior and enhanced premium interior will further elevate the joy of owning a luxury Honda 7-seater MPV,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Madoka Chujo.
The Odyssey was originally developed for the US market to compete in the minivan segment and was a successful model. It was also available in Japan and to make it more suitable for urban conditions, its roofline was a bit lower than most MPVs so it could more easily slot into garages.
Cosmetic updates for 2022
The latest Odyssey inherits much of the DNA of its predecessors with an imposing front end to the monobox form. The new chromed grille and flanking headlight units are an interpretation of the ‘EXCITING H DESIGN!!!’ which has a ‘Solid Wing Face’ design language. At the rear, the taillight units have been revised along with a new bumper profile. Both the front and rear signal lights now have sequential signalling which gives a premium touch to the vehicle.
For this latest version, which is essentially a midcycle facelift, the interior has received premium upgrades as well as an updated dashboard design. The dashboard has a 7-inch TFT meter for the driver and an 8-inch display panel for infotainment. As would be expected of models being introduced nowadays, there is smartphone connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so favourite apps can be access from the display panel.
Captain Cradle Seats with Ottoman
The Odyssey has always offered good cabin space with versatile layouts that makes it suitable for families as well as executives who may need to work while on the move. It comes with standard combination leather upholstery and Captain’s Cradle Seats with Ottoman on the second row. These wide and comfortable seats are like those on aircraft which allow the passenger to stretch out.
Loading luggage or other items in the boot does not require the use of hands to open the rear door. In fact, there isn’t even a need to press a button as placing a food under the rear bumper will automatically open the door. It’s great when both hands are carrying things and also if it’s raining and one hand has to hold the umbrella up.
Honda SENSING is, of course, standard and the integrated active safety systems are Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, and Auto High Beam. Additionally, there is also a Multi-View Camera System with Smart Parking Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, and Cross Traffic Monitor. All these systems can not only help the driver avoid an accident but also reduce the workload to reduce fatigue on long drives.
The Honda SENSING system, which uses a camera to scan road markings, can not only keep the vehicle within its lane but also guide it back if it unintentionally starts to move into another lane
More information on the New Odyssey can be obtained from authorized Honda dealers. To locate a showroom in Malaysia, visit www.honda.com.my.
Buying a used vehicle is sometimes risky as the mechanical condition may not be fully known since someone else used it before. If unlucky, the vehicle may have problems and the new owner may have to spend extra money to fix the problems. In the worst case, the vehicle could be a nightmare to own as it may keep having problems.
Now, for those who want to buy pre-owned Honda vehicles, Honda Malaysia can give more peace of mind as it is introducing Honda Certified Used Car (HCUC). This is an additional and trustworthy business channel that will offer verified, pre-owned Honda vehicles.
6 HCUC outlets
HCUC is starting off at 6 dealerships located in different regions. The dealerships are MJN Motors Sdn. Bhd. (Selangor), Tiong Nam Motor (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Selangor), Kah Motor Co. Sdn. Bhd. (Penang), Kah Motor Co. Sdn. Bhd. (Johor), Yong Ming Motor Sdn. Bhd. (Johor) and Chuan Thye Motor Sdn. Bhd. (Pahang). As demand grows, Honda Malaysia will gradually expand the number of HCUC outlets around the country.
“Honda Malaysia is committed to offering products and services of the highest quality and ensuring that all our cars, be it new or pre-owned, provide a feeling of joy to the car owners. As such, we have rolled out HCUC as an additional option for customers to own their preferred Honda cars and enjoy being a Honda owner,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Madoka Chujo.
Not more than 5 years old
Through HCUC, customers can choose different models of Honda pre-owned cars. All the Honda pre-owned cars will be no more than 5 years old, with no more than 100,000 kms of usage. Honda Malaysia ensures that the cars sold by HCUC have undergone a thorough and stringent 288-point inspection conducted by Honda Certified Inspectors.
This inspection covers the condition of the engine and transmission, functionality and undercarriage as well as the exterior and interior conditions. This will enable customers to drive the vehicles with peace of mind knowing that they are certified to be in good condition, equipped with genuine parts and free from major accidents and flood damage.
For the convenience of customers, the registration and transfer process will be done by the HCUC dealers.
Owners of vehicles purchased from HCUC can also enjoy the full range of aftersales services from authorised Honda dealers throughout the country.
Extended warranty provided
Additionally, vehicles purchased from HCUC will have an additional one-year extended warranty on top of the existing warranty that is still valid (terms and conditions apply). Needless to say, once they are owners of the vehicles, they can enjoy the same high standards of aftersales support from all authorised Honda dealerships.
In addition, customers will have access to the Honda network of authorised dealerships nationwide such as sending their certified pre-owned cars to any Honda dealerships for after-sales services.
For more information on the location of HCUC dealerships, visit www.honda.com.my or call Honda Malaysia’s Toll-Free number at 1-800-88-2020.
Following the launch of the Honda City Hatchback in December, for which there are more than 5,200 bookings, Honda Malaysia has now announced the price of the City Hatchback RS e:HEV which was not revealed earlier. Without insurance, the price is RM107,783.09 and this price without sales tax will be applicable until June 30, 2022. There are 3 colour options – Ignite Red Metallic, Meteoroid Gray Metallic and Platinum White Pearl.
This is the first time that the City model is offered in a hatchback bodystyle and the flagship version also comes with e:HEV technology that uses the 1.5-litre Sports intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) powertrain coupled with Electric Continuous Variable Transmission (e-CVT). The hybrid powertrain produces 109 ps/253 Nm and can run in hybrid, engine or even fully electric mode, the latter available for a limited distance depending on the battery pack level.
The City Hatchback’s e:HEV system can run on just the electric motor powered by the battery pack, saving fuel and with no exhaust emissions.
However, as a hybrid electric vehicle, there is no need for recharging from an external source as the battery pack will recharge while the car is being driven. Recharging constantly takes place either by the engine or through regeneration during braking and coasting. This is therefore a more practical approach to electrification for Malaysians at this time when the network of recharging stations is still very small.
Specific to the City Hatchback are a Gloss Black front Grill, Solid Wing and Door Mirrors, and standard are LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights, LED front foglights, a rear spoiler and LED rear light units, along with 16-inch alloy wheels.
The interior follows the layout of the sedan and comes with red-stitched Ultrasuede® Seats. The City Hatchback offers additional versatility as it comes with the 4-mode ULTRA Seat, a feature that originated in the first Jazz. The ULTRA Seat allows for different seating layouts in the cabin to suit different usage requirements, including one for carrying tall items like plants.
With the ULTRA Seat, it is possible to fold the seats upright to create more vertical space to carry tall items like plants.
This variant also comes with a 7-inch Interactive TFT meter, 8-inch Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity as well as rear air conditioning. Other first-in-segment features are Honda LaneWatch to monitor the blind spot on the left side, Electric Parking Brake and Remote Engine Start.
Honda LaneWatch uses a small camera on the left door mirror to monitor the blind spot behind the car and display real-time images on the centre screen.
Like the City Sedan RS e:HEV, this hatchback variant also has Honda SENSING, the camera-based driver-assistance system which allows Level 2 autonomous driving as well. Honda SENSING consists of Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning and Auto High Beam. With the systems active, the workload on the driver is less so fatigue on long journeys can be reduced as well as motoring safety being enhanced.
Honda CONNECT is also included and this smart Telematics Technology allows owners to connect with the City Hatchback via a smartphone application. The owner can be easily informed of the car’s status as well as other useful information.
For more information or to locate a showroom for a test-drive, visit www.honda.com.my.
Although 2021 saw businesses being disrupted, with an extended lockdown in the middle of the year, many car companies were able to continue their planning, thanks to online meetings with their principals overseas. If such a situation had occurred in the 1980s, perhaps a lot of projects would have to be suspended and delayed.
Now that things are returning to normal (although there is also the ‘new normal’), it is apparent that in companies like Honda Malaysia, a lot of planning was done during 2021 and while launches were probably delayed, now the new models are being rushed into the market. And even before the excitement of the launch of the City Hatchback has died down, the all-new 11th generation of the Civic Sedan has been officially launched today – less than 12 months after its global debut in America.
The Civic would be the longest locally-assembled Honda model, having been assembled since the first generation in the mid-1970s. It was assembled at the Oriental Assemblers plant in Johor then, and then when Honda Malaysia built its own factory in Melaka in the early 2000s, assembly of all Honda models was transferred there.
For the new generation, Honda Malaysia has three variants – the Civic RS, Civic 1.5V and Civic 1.5E. This time round, there is only the proven turbocharged VTEC Earth Dreams engine offered. This means all the variants get the same output of 182 ps with 240 Nm of torque, which is more powerful than a conventional 2.4-litre engine. Power delivery to the front wheels is via a CVT.
According to Maduko Chujo, Managing Director & CEO of Honda Malaysia, the company is also looking at the possibility of offering a hybrid powertrain with the Civic later on. Such a version exists for the new Civic Hatchback in some markets and so it could be also used in the sedan. Or Honda Malaysia might add the Hatchback to its range, a bigger brother to the new City Hatchback. But we’ll probably know if and when this is going to happen by seeing what appears in the Thai market which usually gets new products before Malaysia.
The new styling retains some elements of the previous generation but also has a refreshed character with a low-slung look to the profile. The use of Laser Brazing technology (for the first time at the plant), gives a smooth and clean roofline that makes the car look sleeker.
Compared to the tenth generation, the frontal appearance looks less aggressive with a ‘thin and light’ appearance. It would appear that the EXCITING H!!! DESIGN philosophy which was adopted in 2013 is evolving to something new. The Solid Wing Face that has been in the frontal character is no longer evident and a simpler form is being introduced, which also has some elements used in the new HR-V.
Likewise, at the rear, the distinctive ‘claw’ lighting signature that identified the 10th generation from far away is also gone. The new LED rear combi units wrap around the corners and taper towards the centre.
As with other models, there is the option of adding Modulo accessories for a sportier look or more functionality. There are 5 different packages ranging from RM1,241 to RM7,089. These can be specified at the time of purchases so they can be included in the total cost of the car for calculation of the H-P loan.
The overall size is almost the same as before with the only 2-digit increases being in the length (+30 mm) and wheelbase (+33 mm). Usually, extending the wheelbase would improve rear space and comfort, which Honda says is the case.
The first Civic was half the weight and almost a metre shorter than its 11th generation successor launched 50 years later.
Comparing to the first generation model which was launched in 1972, it’s amazing how the size of the car has changed. The overall length of the first generation, which was a hatchback, was almost 1 metre shorter – around 3.5 metres versus the 2022 model’s 4.7 metres. In 50 years, it has widened to 1.8 metres, 300 mm more, and not surprisingly, being a much bigger car, the latest generation weighs around 1,350 kgs whereas the original was about half that weight!
The chassis of the new Civic has been further stiffened, not only for better resistance to collisions but also to improve handling and ride comfort. Compared to the tenth generation, there’s an 8% increase in torsional rigidity and 13% increase in bending rigidity. Over 10 generations, the Civic has been continuously moving upwards in its image and with this elevation towards a more premium product, Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels have had to be reduced. In the latest models, NVH is lower as a result of the application of insulators, floor undercover and spray foam in the chassis areas.
For the new interior, the designers looked at the early Civics, particularly the first one. Those who remember that first generation will see some styling elements in the dashboard of the latest Civic. Some good ideas are still good and so the original design approach of ‘Man-Maximum, Machine-Minimum’ (or ‘M/M’) was used.
While the shelf-like design of the original dashboard has not been revived, the narrow Honeycomb Mesh Panel that runs across two-thirds of the fascia (and also on the right side of the steering column) is in some ways reminiscent of the first generation design. The metal panel serves both form and function, creating a dramatic visual dividing line between the audio, information displays and climate controls, while the intricate flow-through design conceals the air vents for an uncluttered look.
The interior designers obviously did a lot of studies on the control knobs and switchgear and have chosen the right types for different adjustments. While touch and slide controls are cool and futuristic, they are not necessarily practical. The fan speed and temperature adjustments, for example, are far easier to make with rotary knobs. To adjust them by touching a panel means you have to be precise about where you touch and you also have to look, which isn’t good for safety. With rotary knobs, you don’t have to look and for changing modes, pushbuttons are provided.
On the top of the dashboard sits a 9-inch HD display panel (7 inches for Civic 1.5E) for the infotainment system. Manufacturers now no longer need to worry about providing navigation software, thanks to the connectivity provided by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which enables compatible smartphones to send popular apps to the display screen from which they can also be operated. Thus issues like updating maps are irrelevant as apps like Waze and Google Maps will do that and for music, there’s Spotify to call on. And even here, the designers have wisely chosen to provide a rotary knob for adjusting the volume, rather than a touch slider on the screen.
Over in the driver’s area, the instrument panel uses a 7-inch TFT display which is clear and sharp in all lighting conditions. As before, there are steering wheel mounted switches for making adjustments and calls without taking the hands off the steering wheel or looking away from the road ahead. With the Civic RS and 1.5V, paddle shifters are also provided for manually changing CVT ‘gears’.
The driver can choose from 3 driving modes to suit personal preference or driving conditions.
Seats look like, well, seats and unless you study the construction in detail, you won’t see any difference. However, there are improvements in the seat design to give better support and reduce tiredness on long drives. The seat frame has been designed so that the body posture is better and for the drivers in the RS and 1.5V, 8-way power adjustments make it easy to get the ideal position.
For convenience, there is Remote Start available (1.5V and RS) which allows starting the engine from a distance so that the air-conditioner can start running to cool down the interior. The doors will also automatic lock after you have left the car and walked 2 metres away or after 30 seconds.
Like other manufacturers, Honda also has its own suite of active safety systems where a number of different systems work together to help the driver avoid an accident or if it cannot be avoided, to reduce the damaging or injurious effects. In the 10th generation Civic, these systems integrated as Honda SENSING captured data for analysis using a single-lens camera and a millimetre-wave radar which scanned the road ahead.
For the 11th generation, the radar is no longer used and instead, there is a new camera system with a wider field of view (100 degrees, double the width of the previous camera). Where the radar was used to measure the distance to a vehicle ahead, this function can now be done by the camera. Honda engineers are confident that the camera system is better than the previous camera/radar system, even in bad weather conditions. Of course, the driver always needs to be aware that the camera’s view can be obscured in very heavy rain so in such situations, care should be taken rather than rely on Honda SENSING.
The system has automatic emergency braking capability, adaptive cruise control which works right to standstill (and resumes automatically), automatic headlight adjustment between high and low beams, lane and road departure detection and warning as well as keeping the car within its lane. Newly added to Honda SENSING is a feature that alerts the driver when the stopped car ahead moves off. How useful this feature is remains to be seen although it might help in congested conditions where drivers will be reminded to move on when the car ahead has departed from its spot.
With the RS and 1.5V, there is also the Honda LaneWATCH system which is a blindspot monitoring system for the left side of the car. This uses a camera mounted on the door mirror which provides an image along the side of the car. The image is shown on the centre display panel whenever the left signal is activated and the driver can know if there is another car or motorcycle coming up along the side. It’s a noteworthy feature as it reduces the amount of turning the head has to do, compared to having to look for a flashing icon on the mirror (as with other systems).
Honda LaneWATCH system provides a view along the left side of the car.
The new Civic is also set up for Honda CONNECT, the third model in Malaysia to have this telematics technology. Using a smartphone, the owner can view information on the vehicle as well as use remote and security applications. The system also has vehicle tracking which is useful if it is stolen as support services will be able to locate it and inform relevant authorities to recover it.
The new Civic is now in all authorized Honda showrooms nationwide for viewing or test-drives. To locate a showroom in Malaysia, visit www.honda.com.my.
Honda Malaysia has introduced an upgraded range of Genuine Engine Oils, recommended specially for Honda vehicles, of course. The oil now has an API SP grade which provides stable performance and better fuel economy while prolonging engine lifespan as well as offers greater engine protection.
The new engine oil will replace the existing SN Grade range with mineral (Bronze), semi-synthetic (Silver) and fully synthetic (Gold) formulations. However, the SN grade 0W-30 viscosity fully-synthetic oil will still be available for cars with high performance engines such as the Civic Type R.
Suitable to be used for most petrol and turbocharged engines, the SP Grade engine oil is approved and recommended by Honda Research & Development (R&D). The new engine oil range is formulated to fulfil all operating requirements of Honda engines and also meet the latest standards issued by the American Petroleum Institute (API). It enhances protection against low-speed pre-ignition, an abnormal combustion phenomenon that can cause significant damage to the engine.
The SP Grade engine oil also comes with a timing chain wear protection to minimise timing chain elongation. In addition to improved high temperature deposit protection for pistons and turbochargers, it provides better sludge and varnish control, valve train and intake lifter wear protection, higher oxidation stability as well as emission control system protection. The lower-viscosity of 0W-20 fully-synthetic oil allows the engine to operate with maximum efficiency while very good protection for key engine components, even at extreme temperatures.
More information on the new Honda engine oil is available at any authorised Honda service centre, or at www.honda.com.my.
Why use a Genuine Oil?
There are engine oils and there are Genuine Oils but to the average motorist, it is hard to understand what can be so special about Genuine Oils sold by some car companies. It may seem like such products are created just to give the car company an extra source of revenue by using the brand name. After all, an oil is an oil, right? As long as it is from a reputable producer and meets the requirements of the carmaker (specified in the Owner’s Manual), it should be okay to use.
You won’t go wrong picking an oil produced by any of the reputable oil companies, but you may not get 100% lubricating performance with the engine in your vehicle. This is because each engine has its own characteristics and design features; some may have unique combustion chamber designs, more complex valvetrains or special oil passages. These are known to the engineers who design the engines but may not be understood by those in the oil companies who try to come up with an oil which ‘suits all engines’.
This is where the specifications for a Genuine Oil come in and they may have specific requirements to ensure proper lubrication in certain areas. In other words, the Genuine Oil will have a unique formulation which will work best with the engine for which it is recommended, and it will perform better than other oils [for that engine].
More customized for specific engines
The best analogy to this issue would be to think of clothes. You can go to a department store and buy a shirt with a famous brand name. You may get a choice of S/M/L/XL and one of the sizes will fit your body. Maybe you will be lucky and the sleeves will also be just the right length and the collar is not too tight. However, it is also possible that your arms may be just a wee bit longer and the sleeve length for size ‘M’ is not exactly matching for you.
Now you could also go to a tailor and made a shirt with a similar design but you would be able to have the sleeves just the right length to suit your arm and the collar will be comfortable instead of choke you each time you have to wear a tie. You feel comfortable wearing the shirt and its ‘specifications’ are exclusive to you.
That is basically the difference between a Genuine Oil and other oils: customization. While it may be that 99% of engine designs are similar, there may still be that 1% which is unique to each engine and only a Genuine Oil would be able to cover the lubrication needs of that 1% so you get optimum performance.
This is not to say you must use only Genuine Oil for your vehicle and that other oils are not good enough. As a consumer, you always have choices but as a Honda owner, if you want to give your vehicle the best at all times, then Honda Genuine Engine Oil would be the best to use.
While the price is an important factor when you buy a new car, you should also consider the larger ‘package’ that a brand offers. You are going to have the car for a while and having an enjoyable ownership experience where the dealer looks after your needs will make a difference to that experience. How the company cares for its customers is also very important.
Honda Malaysia, for instance, has a high standard of customer care and that is now being demonstrated by its Flood Relief Programme to provide aid to Honda customers whose vehicle have been affected by the recent floods. With this programme, repair services with reduced parts prices for affected Honda customers at the flood-stricken areas will be available until January 31, 2022 (terms and conditions apply).
Honda owners who purchased their vehicles from authorised Honda dealers in Malaysia will be entitled to a 25% discount on genuine parts when they bring their vehicles to any authorised Honda service centre for an assessment and inspection service, as well as repairs.
Owners who have chosen Honda Insurance Plus (HiP) can enjoy a free inspection (terms and conditions apply) for their vehicles to ensure that they are safe to drive and in good running condition, especially after the floods.
In addition to providing towing service for vehicles damaged by the floods to the nearest authorised Honda dealership, HiP customers are entitled to receive flood allowance of up to RM1,500 to alleviate their burden. At the same time, Honda Malaysia is working closely with the insurance companies to expedite the claim process for affected customers.
“We are deeply saddened by the floods that have inundated several states in Malaysia, which resulted in the evacuation of many people from their homes and caused significant damage to their properties and motor vehicles. Striving to be a company society wants to exist, we continue to look for ways to help the communities around us who are in need. We hope that with the rolling out of this Flood Relief Programme, we can help to relieve the burden of our valued customers. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people who are affected by the floods, and we hope everyone continues to stay safe during these challenging times,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Madoka Chujo.
For more information on the Flood Relief Programme and HiP, owners can call Honda Malaysia’s Toll-Free number at 1-800-88-2020 or visit www.honda.com.my.
“When people think of a Honda, there’s a very good chance they will think of the Civic.”
Words by the Head of Sales and Marketing of Honda Malaysia, which I thought couldn’t be more true.
The Civic has come to cement itself as the de facto go to car once a person makes enough money to afford moving up to a six figure sedan.
It is also a status symbol of sorts.
I once knew someone who did not want to marry her boyfriend until he bought a Civic.
Such is its appeal.
So when Honda announced that it was introducing an all-new Civic, naturally the media went into a frenzy.
And when photos were published, Honda fanboys (and girls) simply melted.
The latest generation Civic is elegant in its design, more spacious than ever, and though we are not allowed to show you interior photos until after its launch, we can say that the interior is nicer that you can imagine.
Both in terms of quality and design.
How does it drive?
Powering the new Civic is the same 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that is in the current generation Civic and CRV.
But this time it has been tuned up to produce 10PS and 20Nm more torque.
In total, the Civic puts out 182PS and 240Nm of torque, which is plenty for a C segment car.
But it is the way the Civic puts down this power that is even more impressive.
Honda Malaysia invited a select group of journalists to drive the car around the South Track of the Sepang International Circuit.
But they also provided a Toyota Corolla Altis and the current generation Civic as a reference point.
The new Civic felt more eager to respond to the throttle while the handling was sharper around a slalom test.
Body roll was obviously reduced over the previous generation Civic as well.
But what was truly impressive though was how refined the drive was.
The engine is mated to the same CVT gearbox as before, but this time the droning noise that is so typical of such gearboxes has been turned down a couple of notches.
The noise and vibration insulation is also a couple of notches better, and you don’t feel any vibrations from the tarmac in the seats either.
You could argue that the tarmac at Sepang Circuit is smoother and does not reflect real-world driving conditions, and you would be right.
And you would be right. But you can usually feel some powertrain vibrations in your bum from a C segment car, but that is no longer there.
And this is proof that the Civic has matured into a more family oriented car without forgetting its sporting roots.
Very much like a 90s or early 2000s BMW 3-Series.
The new Civic is also a lot sportier in nature, and that is largely thanks to a new Drive Mode Selector – a feature that is available for the first time in a Civic.
This gives you access to three different modes – Eco, Normal and Sport.
Each does what it is named after and controls things like throttle response, steering heft and the overall character of the car.
What’s so nice about it?
I would say the interior and the way the powertrain is packaged.
The exterior design is also a much welcomed departure from the obviously aging design of the current generation Civic.
It isn’t as dramatic as the FD was or the FC for that matter, but the new FE generation Civic is elegant and understated now.
And those gorgeous daytime running lights will help it stand out from the crowd.
I know that looks are subjective, but I am quite sure thousands will love the interior of the new Civic.
The honeycomb design that spreads across the dash, subtly hiding the air-conditioning vents are an original touch unseen in any other car. Honda or otherwise.
The steering wheel too is thicker and feels luxurious in your hands.
The quality of the switches feel like they belong in a continental car rather than an affordable mass-produced C-segment Honda.
The seats in the Civic have always been among the best in the segment, and still are. This time though the padding is supple for added plushness while overall support has been extended to the bottom of your thighs and shoulders.
And because the car is now much bigger in overall proportions, the interior is spacious.
The dramatically rising a-pillars and the wider c-pillars allow more light into the cabin via larger windows, further accentuating the sense of spaciousness.
The spaciousness extends into the booth as well, which now seems like it can accommodate three golf bags.
What about technology?
You wouldn’t expect anything lesser of a Honda, and so the Civic comes brimming with tech.
The RS variant we drove came with an updated Honda SENSING that now features something called Lead Car Departure Notification System.
This system alerts the driver when the car ahead has moved ahead, perfect when in traffic or at a traffic light when most drivers are either on their phone or simply dreaming.
The full suite of enhanced Honda SENSING safety features in All-New Civic RS are as below:
Lead Car Departure Notification System (NEW)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Low-Speed Follow (LSF)
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)
Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Auto High Beam (AHB)
It is unclear if this will make it down to other variants of the Civic, but in typical Honda Malaysia fashion, only the top two models will receive Honda SENSING. And this will then trickle down to other variants as the model goes through its life cycle.
But of course, that’s not all the new Civic comes loaded with, it also features plenty of other safety features as well, such as:
Honda LaneWatch
Six Airbags
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
Agile Handling Assist (AHA)
Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
Auto Brake Hold (ABH)
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
Walk Away Auto Lock
Remote Engine Start
And a new safety feature for the Civic called Driver Attention Monitor that alerts the driver to take a rest if it detects erratic driving.
Should you buy it?
There is a shift in demand towards SUV’s, hence why cars like the HRV are selling so well. But there is a huge appeal in cars like the Civic as well.
There was a time where people wanted an SUV because it offered more space. But with the amount of space the new Civic offers, that argument is no longer valid.
It may not offer the higher up sitting position of an SUV, but if you want a sporty sedan with a well-built interior and a drive quality that is similar to a continental car, then yes, you should buy the Civic.
We can’t tell you anything about the price as Honda Malaysia did not reveal anything, but expect it to be similar in price to the outgoing model.
Even before the excitement with the all-new Honda City Hatchback has died down, Honda Malaysia is preparing to launch another all-new model – the 11th generation of the Civic. It will be launched in the first quarter of 2022, and those who want to be the first to own one can place a booking now at any authorized Honda dealer nationwide. Prices and variants have not been revealed (although we know there will be an RS variant for the first time), but sales tax will not be charged till after June 30, 2022.
Evolutionary styling changes
The new Civic has undergone an evolutionary styling change that gives it a ‘New Age Identity’. The focus on the new exterior design is to give the driver and occupants a more expansive view from within, enhancing the feeling of spaciousness. This has been achieved by expanding the glass area with windscreen pillars repositioned further back.
The Civic RS, flagship of the new range, will come with black finishing for the housings of the door mirrors, Shark Fin antenna, Outer Door Handles, boot spoiler and also the 18-inch alloy wheels. The new lighting units use LEDs and have new designs while the Civic’s styling DNA is reflected in the rear lights.
Longer and wider body
Measuring 4678 mm in length, 1802 mm in width, with a height of 1415 mm and a wheelbase of 2735 mm, the new Civic is larger and wider with the rear track also widened to provide a low and wide stance. The factory in Melaka will use Honda’s advanced manufacturing technique employing Lazer Brazing technology (a Civic-first) which gives a sleeker roofline and strengthens body rigidity.
The familiar and proven VTEC 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine will be used again. The latest version generates higher power output which is a maximum of 182 ps, with 240 Nm of torque. That’s even more powerful than the 2.4-litre engine that powered the Accord.
5 stars from ASEAN NCAP
ASEAN NCAP has already tested the new Civic and it received a maximum overall score of 5 stars. It is the first Honda model to be assessed under the new ASEAN NCAP 2021-2025 protocol which includes requirements for protecting motorcyclists.
Honda SENSING will be offered with the Civic RS and the driver assistance package is said to have improved functionality by offering natural and smooth steering operation. The Honda SENSING suite has 9 active safety systems which can help the driver avoid an accident or reduce the effects of one. A new addition is Lead Car Departure Notification System which alerts the driver when the vehicle ahead moves off. There is also a Driver Attention Monitor which will reduce the dangers of a fatigued driver losing attention by alerting the driver if unusual driving behaviour is noticed.
A segment leader
“The Civic has a strong identity and is one of the favourite Honda models for Malaysians who love a car with exceptional styling and powerful performance. Since 2001, we have sold close to 148,000 units of Civic and this legendary model continues to expand its fan base in the country. The iconic 10th Generation Civic, which was launched in 2016, has contributed more than 66,600 units to the total Civic sales and continues to lead in the C-segment with 71% market share as of October 2021,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director and CEO, Madoka Chujo.
“The 11th Generation Civic, which is a modern interpretation of the classic, offers a piece of the future. It raises the benchmark of a C-segment sedan in every way while maintaining the best of the Civic DNA which is loved by Malaysians. The All-New Civic is truly A Legacy, Reborn!” she added.
To locate an authorised Honda dealership for more information or to make a booking, visit www.honda.com.my.
The Civic, launched in 1972, was Honda’s first global model and began life as a compact 3-door hatchback in its first generation.
