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Highlights of all-new Honda City Hatchback which you can book now

The all-new Honda City Hatchback is nearing launch in Malaysia and as bookings can now be placed at authorised dealers nationwide, Honda Malaysia has provided an overview of the features available. While silent on the prices, the company has confirmed that the new model will be launched before the end of this year. It is unlikely that the prices will be far different from the latest City Sedan (RM74,191 – RM105,950) as it is also assembled locally at the plant in Melaka.

The City Hatchback, which shares the same platform as the City Sedan, replaces the Jazz which has been in the market since 2003. Based on the Thai-spec model, it is around 390 mm longer than the Jazz and 54 mm wider, but 36 mm lower. With the wheelbase at 2589 mm, there is 59 mm extra length between the front and rear wheels, which suggests that the interior should also be a bit more spacious (although the packaging in the Jazz has always been pretty good too).

Hybrid or petrol engine choices
As with the City Sedan, customers can choose the advanced hybrid electric system (e:HEV) or the conventional and proven 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine with 121 ps (highest in class) and maximum torque of 145 Nm. The e:HEV powertrain has Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) with 2 electric motors working with a 1.5-litre petrol engine. Besides good fuel efficiency, the performance is also strong, thanks to the 253 Nm of torque which is comparable to a D-segment car with a conventional powertrain.

Incidentally, the City Hatchback assembled in Malaysia differs from the one sold in Thailand as the powertrain offered there is only a 1-litre DOHC 3-cylinder turbocharged VTEC unit. That engine produces 122 ps/173 Nm.

ULTRA Seat
The features and equipment follow those of the sedan in general, but the City Hatchback also as the added versatility of the 4-Mode ULTRA Seat in the rear. This is a variable seating arrangement which was introduced with the first generation of the Jazz in the 2003 (and also the City in the same year). The practical and innovative idea was developed by interior designers after long periods of watching people at supermarkets loading various items. They saw that there was a need for more vertical space for tall items like plants, and made it possible for the entire seat to be flipped up so that the height available would be from ceiling to the floor. This is known as the Tall Mode, which is complemented by Utility, Long, and Refresh modes for different needs.

Honda Malaysia will also offer Remote Engine Start which allows the engine to be started from outside the car, enabling the air-conditioner to be switched on to cool down the cabin before entering. Passengers at the rear will also have added comfort with cool air being brought to them via the dedicated vents.

Honda SENSING and LaneWatch
As would be expected, the City Hatchback (RS only) will have Honda SENSING, the driver assistance suite of systems. This uses front wide-angle view camera (at the top of the windscreen) to scan the road ahead of lane marking as well as other vehicles. Besides automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning, it also has adaptive cruise control and control the car from moving out of its lane unintentionally. Auto High Beam is also provided to keep maximum illumination available but automatically dipping the headlights if there is approaching traffic.

Also installed as standard in the City Hatchback (RS and V versions) is Honda LaneWatch. This innovative blindspot monitoring system uses a small camera mounted on the left door mirror to capture real-time images of the area along the side of the car. The image is displayed on the centre screen whenever the left turn signal is activated and the driver can see if there is any approaching vehicle. The advantage of this approach is that the driver’s head turns left less and the image shown is also easier to see than on the door mirror which is some distance away.

“Honda is not new to the hatchback segment in Malaysia as the popular Jazz which was introduced back in 2003 has sold more than 122,000 units to date. The Jazz is well-known for its practicality and versatility, and is highly popular as one of Malaysians’ favourite urban cars. We believe, with the introduction of the All-New City Hatchback, this model will raise the benchmark to be another game-changer in the market and soon also become Malaysians’ most favourite hatchback car,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Madoka Chujo.

For more information or to place a booking for the City Hatchback, visit any authorised Honda dealership in Malaysia. To locate a showroom, visit www.honda.com.my.

Honda Malaysia offers two extra benefits for new vehicle purchasers until the end of 2021

Honda City V-SENSING added to range, priced from RM90,212.36

Even with just two months remaining of a difficult year, Honda Malaysia continues to surprise with new variants being introduced and the latest one to be announced is the City V-SENSING. This is the second variant of the latest City generation, introduced in 2020, to have Honda SENSING after the City RS e:HEV. The new variant is priced at RM90,212.36, without insurance and without sales tax (the exemption has been extended till June 30, 2022).

Honda SENSING + Honda LaneWatch
Honda SENSING, introduced with the CR-V four years ago, is an integrated suite of active safety systems which help the driver to avoid an accident, prevent or reduce the effects of a collision and also generally reduce driving stress. The systems in Honda SENSING are: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM). Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Auto High Beam (AHB).

Honda LaneWatch (shown below), a camera-based blindspot system, is also standard for this variant. It uses a small camera on the left door mirror to capture images of the area along the side of the car. The imagery is displayed on the infotainment screen in real-time, providing the driver with a clear view (even at night) of the blind spot so that any approaching vehicle can be spotted.

“Safety is predominantly Honda’s priority and the City has always been the forerunner in offering safety features for both drivers and passengers using advanced technology. We are delighted to introduce this new variant to the Malaysian market, enabling them to now have more options to choose from in the City line-up with a total of 5 variants available,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Madoka Chujo.

“The City V-SENSING appeals to more targeted audiences such as young families or young working adults who seek for ample performance as well as advanced safety features for their daily commute. It has the most complete advanced safety features in the B-segment with an attractive pricetag that is below RM100,000. We believe this model will continue to receive much recognition for its overall package of class-leading advanced features, space, comfort and unparalleled performance,” she said.

1.5-litre i-VTEC engine
The City V-SENSING has a 1.5-litre DOHC i–VTEC engine – the most powerful in its segment – coupled with Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). The engine output is 121 ps with maximum torque of 145 Nm, enabling the car to travel up to 18.5 kms per litre or around 750 kms per full tank.

Standard exterior features include LED Headlights and LED Day Running Lights (DRL), LED foglights, LED taillights, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Premium materials inside
As with the other City variants, the interior has premium high-quality textures. The combination leather upholstery for the seats has ivory highlights for a touch of class. The infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity so many of the smartphone apps can also be brought to the dashboard and used from there.

For the driver, who has a 7-inch TFT meter display, there are paddle shifters to use when manual shifting is preferred and the Remote Engine Start allows the engine to be started from outside the car so the air-conditioning can be activated to cool down the cabin first. Rear occupants also enjoy more comfort as there are vents behind the centre console box to bring cool air to them.

“Since we launched the 5th Generation City in October 2020, we have recorded total sales of more than 23,300 units. To date, the City has contributed 34% to Honda Malaysia’s total sales between January and October 2021, making it the best-selling model in Honda Malaysia,” Ms. Chujo added.

For more information on the City V-SENSING or to test-drive Honda models in Malaysia, visit any authorized Honda dealership. The locations can be found at www.honda.com.my or by calling Honda Malaysia’s Toll-Free number at 1-800-88-2020.

New vs Old Honda City: Why current City owners should trade up!

New Honda Civic gets top safety rating from ASEAN NCAP (w/VIDEO)

Honda sets high standards of safety for all its models, and any new model that arrives in the market can usually score maximum or almost maximum points in assessments by various organisations. The latest generation of the Honda Civic is no exception and what’s more impressive is that it is the first Honda model to be assessed under the new ASEAN NCAP 2021-2025 protocol.

Under the new protocols formulated by the New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP), the Civic was rated the full 5 stars with an overall score of 83.47 points. For each category of assessment, the following: 36.59 points out of 40.00 for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), 18.32 points out of 20.00 for Child Occupant Protection (COP) category, 18.16 points out of 20.00 for Safety Assist Technologies (SAT), and 10.39 points for Motorcyclist Safety (MS) category.

Specifically, for the ASEAN NCAP 2021-2025 assessment protocol, Honda has taken a step upwards by equipping the Civic with a new AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) technology for Motorcycles as standard fitment in all its variants. This new technology is able to detect the presence of motorcycle that is located in front of the car and perform automatic emergency braking in the event the driver is unaware of the motorcyclist.

With the larger number of motorcycles on roads in ASEAN and a high rate of accidents involving motorcyclists, Honda has improved its detection system to recognise motorcycles and perform automatic emergency braking if necessary.

Commending Honda for developing the AEB for Motorcycles, MIROS Director-General who is also ASEAN NCAP Secretary-General and Acting Chairman, Hon. Assistant Commissioner (CD) Adjunct Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim said: “This is a significant milestone for vehicle safety as we are targeting to reduce the number of fatalities involving motorcyclists. As such, we are proud that vehicle manufacturers are devoting their energy in the next level of vehicle safety. With the launch of the Global Plan for the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, we hope this will be a catalyst for more vehicle manufacturers to follow this footstep to ensure we meet the desired target.”

“Despite the pandemic situation, car manufacturers have strived to ensure the new vehicles that they are producing meet the needed safety requirements under the new ASEAN NCAP 2021-2025 protocol. I am pleased that another of Honda’s models has achieved another 5-Star rating, despite the stringent requirement the new protocol has set,” he said when commenting on the results.

He added: “The current COVID-19 pandemic situation has pushed us to be more innovative in our work, and ASEAN NCAP is no exception. We had to fully utilize whatever communication applications currently are available. Due to travelling restrictions, ASEAN NCAP performed an assessment on the new Honda Civic via video conference call.”

*11th generation Honda Civic is on sale in Thailand and progressively being introduced in other ASEAN markets.*

Even with the previous generation, the Civic already had a very high standard of active and passive safety, including the integrated Honda SENSING system. Its AEB systems cover City, Inter-Urban, Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Motorcycle situations, complementing ), Child Presence Detection (CPD) and Pedestrian Protection technology. The model comes with 6 or 4 airbags, depending on the market. There is also a Seatbelt Reminder System for front and rear occupants, and Blind Spot Visualization (BSV) on the passenger side.

The new Civic, which is the 11^th generation of the model, has been launched in Thailand and is progressively being launched in other regional markets. It is likely to be launched in Malaysia in 2022 although Honda Malaysia might start giving the public a preview before the end of this year.

11th generation Honda Civic debuts in Thailand

Complete coverage around the vehicle with Honda SENSING 360

Where active safety systems like ABS, traction control and vehicle stability control used to work independently, the new approach over the past 10 years has been to integrate many of the systems, which also share sensors, to increase proactive performance. Many manufacturers have such integrated systems now and they have various names, with Honda calling its system Honda SENSING.

Honda SENSING was developed as part of the company’s long-standing R&D program to realise the global concept of ‘Safety for Everyone’. This aims to have a collision-free society encompassing all the different road-users. While the driver’s responses are still major factors in preventing an accident, Honda SENSING can also take independent action if the driver fails to do so.

The current CR-V was the first model in Malaysia to have Honda SENSING when it was introduced in 2017, Since then, Honda Malaysia has included the system with other models in its range, including the latest City (below).

For example, if sensors detect a vehicle ahead and a collision is likely to occur if the car does not decelerate or the driver does not brake, then the system will activate the brakes to bring the car to a stop before it hits the other car. During cruising at set speeds, the system can also ensure that a safe gap is maintained between vehicles by varying the speed.

With Honda SENSING, first introduced in 2014, motorists have gained an intelligent ‘co-driver’ to help with some of the driving work, making motoring safer and also reducing stress and fatigue. Now Honda has upgraded the system to Honda SENSING 360. This is an omnidirectional safety and driver-assistive system which removes blind spots around the vehicle and contributes to collision avoidance and the reduction of driver burden while driving. Further evolved from the previous system, Honda SENSING 360 features an expanded sensing range not only in the front and rear, but omnidirectionally around the vehicle.

Honda SENSING 360 will be introduced next year in models sold in China, and then offered in other markets in following years. No doubt it will also be available in models in Malaysia in due course, upgrading the Honda SENSING system that was first introduced with the CR-V in 2017.

Honda SENSING 360 2022 — *The upgraded Honda SENSING 360 system has more sensors for greater situation awareness around the vehicle body.*

Honda SENSING 360, as the name indicates, provides 360-degree sensing which means complete coverage all around the vehicles. This is achieved by adding a total of 5 millimetre-wave radar sensors in front and at each corner of the vehicle, in addition to the monocular camera mounted at the top of the windscreen (already used in the present system). With the additional sensors, there is expanded sensing range which covers blind spots around the vehicle.

Advancement of Collision Mitigation Braking System
More advanced than the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) of the current Honda SENSING, the new CMBS has a broader range of detection that is expanded from in front of the vehicle to include all directions around the vehicle. When making a right or left turn at an intersection, if the system detects other vehicles or pedestrians and recognizes the risk of a collision, the CMBS will activate assist the driver in the avoidance and mitigation of a collision with the other vehicle or pedestrian.

Front Cross Traffic Warning
When the vehicle is driving at a low speed or starting from a stop at an, the system notifies the driver of information about vehicles approaching to cross the intersection from the sides and front. Should there be a risk of a collision with the crossing vehicle, the system provides audio warnings and visual warnings on the meter to alert the driver and prompt collision avoidance actions.

Lane Change Collision Mitigation
With multi-lane highways, vehicles move at varying speeds in each lane and there are also occasions when a driver may wish to overtake a slower vehicle. This requires changing lanes to get past and when executing such a manoeuvre, the system can help avoid a collision with a vehicle in the adjacent lane approaching from behind. When the system detects a vehicle approaching from the blind spot behind the vehicle, it provides audio warnings and visual warnings on the meter to alert the driver and also assist steering for collision avoidance.

Active Lane Change Assist
While driving with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow and the Lane Keeping Assist System activated and when certain conditions are satisfied on a highway, if the driver activates the turn signal, the system will assist with steering for the lane change.

Cornering Speed Assist
Although ACC is a more intelligent form of cruise control, it was only applicable for straight roads. When a tight corner was encountered, the driver would have to take control and reduce speed to drive around the corner safely. With Honda SENSING 360, the system will adjust vehicle speed accordingly (if ACC is on). Using a front camera, it detects the curvature of the lane before reaching the curve and assists the driver to drive around it smoothly.

Just as systems like ABS and Vehicle Stability Assist have limitations, Honda SENSING 360 also has a limit to the capabilities (eg recognition capability and control capability). Honda reminds drivers of this and that they still need to pay attention and be ready to act accordingly. The day when the driver can be totally uninvolved in the operation of the vehicle is not here yet, but such systems are taking motorists towards it.

Honda SENSING Elite adds more advanced autonomous capabilities to Legend flagship

Black theme for special edition of Honda CR-V

Black, the bold and stealthy colour, is now available for the Honda CR-V in its new Black Edition. Available only with the CR-V 1.5 TC-P 2WD with a Crystal Black Pearl finish, the Black Edition is priced at RM161,913.99 (without insurance and without sales tax till the end of 2021). As the name indicates, black is the theme and is used in many areas such as the front grille (flanked by LED headlights), front and rear bumper garnish, and also the 18-inch alloy wheels which are finished in piano black.

Black theme inside and outside
The black theme is also used within the SUV, and the same glossy black colour is applied to the steering wheel, 7-inch Interactive TFT meter and air-conditioning garnish. For the centre console, dashboard and door trim, a black wood garnish is installed while the headlining is accented with black finishing. Naturally, the black seats also have embroidery to identify this special edition.

Turbocharged VTEC engine
The technical specifications are similar to the standard CR-V with a 1.5-litre VTEC 4-cylinder engine with a CVT. Though it seems small, with Honda Earth Dreams Technology and turbocharging, the engine can produce up to 193 ps, with the maximum of 243 Nm of torque available from 2,000 rpm to 5,000 rpm. That sort of output is even greater than bigger engines and the advantage, besides saving weight, is that fuel consumption can be up to 14.3 kms per litre, it is claimed. With a full fuel tank of 57 litres, that can mean a range of at least 800 kms.

Convenience features
Convenience features include keyless entry, pushbutton starting, and even Remote Engine Start that allows the owner to start the engine from outside the car. This can allow the air-conditioning to be switched on to cool the interior on a hot day.

Another very useful feature which was only available in much more expensive models before is the Hands-Free Power Tailgate. No longer is there a need to even press a button as the tailgate will open on its own by placing a foot under the rear bumper which has a sensor. It’s great when both your hands are full with grocery bags.

Full Honda SENSING suite
The current CR-V was the first model in Malaysia to have HONDA SENSING, a suite of active safety systems which assist the driver. The Honda SENSING system in the latest CR-V has been enhanced to 8 systems, in addition to other standard active and passive safety features.

*The current CR-V, introduced in 2017, was the first model to introduce Honda SENSING in Malaysia*

There’s also Honda LaneWatch, an innovative blind-spot monitoring system that uses a camera (on the left door mirror) instead of sensors on the body. The camera captures a real-time image of the area along the left side of the car and shows it on the display screen on the dashboard so the driver is aware of any other vehicle very nearby.

To date, over 43,000 units of the current generation have been sold in Malaysia, while more than 108,000 units have been sold since the model was introduced in 2003 as the first locally-assembled model by Honda Malaysia.

*The second generation of the CR-V was the first model assembled by Honda Malaysia at its own factory in Melaka in 2003.*

Dominant in non-national SUV segment
“The CR-V continues to exceed our expectations with encouraging sales and is dominating the Non-National SUV segment with 24% of market share, as of August 2021. The popularity of the CR-V attests to the model’s attractive design, elegant interior and exceptional driving performance. In view of the good market acceptance, we are introducing the CR-V Black Edition to provide more options for our customers who prefer an SUV with a full package of spaciousness, comfort, safety, performance and next-level aesthetic,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director and CEO, Madoka Chujo.

For more information on the CR-V Black Edition or to locate a showroom to view and experience Honda models in Malaysia, visit www.honda.com.my.

Honda Malaysia offers two extra benefits for new vehicle purchasers until the end of 2021

First look at the all-new Honda Civic Si (w/VIDEO)

Like Type R, ‘Si’ has always set pulses racing for Honda fans as this designation has signified the high-performance Honda models. Young driving enthusiasts, especially in America, enjoyed the affordable high-performance for 4 decades with this model.

Now comes an all-new Civic Si which is based on the 11th generation model. Unlike previous Si models, the bodystyle is no longer that of a 2-door coupe but is a 4-door sedan only. However, it stands out not only with the exclusive Blazing Orange Pearl finish with gloss black trim but also with functional aerodynamic aids that improve its performance.

A front spoiler hidden under the car and a gloss black rear spoiler mounted on the bootlid add downforce to improve high speed stability. The upper front bumper design is more aggressive, and its rear bumper has been reshaped to reveal two large oval exhaust tips.

Better than ever before
‘Best-handling’, ‘best-equipped’ and ‘most fun-to-drive’ are used to describe the new Civic Si, and to deliver all that, it has an updated high-output VTEC 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with usefully broader power curves than before. Maximum power output is 200 ps with 260 Nm of torque.

*Previous Civic Si had 2-door coupe bodystyle which is no longer available.*

A new single-mass flywheel is 26% lighter than the dual-mass unit used in the previous Si. The flywheel’s 30% reduction in inertia gives the engine snappier throttle response for a sportier driving experience, while also improving drivability. To maximize available traction when accelerating, a helical limited-slip differential is standard at the front axle.

Manual 6-speed with rev-matching
The Civic Si comes with a manual transmission, a 6-speeder with improved shift feel and 10% shorter throws. A new, more rigid shift lever mounting bracket and a new leather-wrapped aluminium shift knob similar to the Civic Type R’s contribute to the improved feel.

For the first time, the Civic Si has a rev-matching system directly from the Civic Type R. With the same 430 m/s response time as Civic Type R in Sport mode, the new rev-matching system will ‘blip’ the throttle when it detects a downshift, quickly and perfectly matching revs for smooth transitions between gears.

In addition to Normal and Sport driving modes, the car’s updated Drive Mode system now includes an Individual mode that allows the driver to individually select engine response, steering effort, and even instrument panel display colour parameters for a more personal driving experience. Sport mode adds throttle response, decreases steering assist, deactivates the idle stop system, allows drivers to select rev match on or off, and changes the instrument accent lighting from white to red.

Improving the sound of the engine is a new dual-coil silencer exhaust system that increases exhaust flow 27% compared to Civic Touring. To complement the engine’s natural exhaust note inside the cabin, the new Civic Si uses an improved Active Sound Control system that can produce high-quality sound over a wider range of engine rpm.

Most rigid Civic Si ever
In terms of body stiffness, this is said to be the most rigid Civic Si ever. To maximize handling and driving dynamics, the spring rates are 8% stiffer in front and as much as 54% stiffer in the rear compared to the Civic Sedan. The dampers have also been tuned specifically for the Si. The front MacPherson struts have reinforced upper mounts to handle the increased cornering loads, and thicker front and rear stabilizer bars (compared to Civic Sedan) to minimize body roll.

With all that extra performance, the engineers have made sure that the Civic Si has good stopping power. It is fitted with larger brakes than the standard Civic Sedan and there are also 235/40R18 performance tyres.

Driver-focussed cabin
The driver-focused cabin has Si-exclusive body stabilizing sport seats with built-in head restraints and more prominent shoulder and lower thigh side supports. The lower cushion has been raised by about 12 mm at the front, providing better thigh support to reduce fatigue on long drives.

Outward visibility is enhanced by the pulled-back A-pillars, low bonnet, flat dashboard, low cowl and door-mounted outside mirrors,

The seat upholstery has embroidered Si logos and red contrast stitching are standard. Other sporty touches include sport pedals, and red contrast stitching. The red trim on the signature metal honeycomb dash panel of this new generation serves both form and function as it beautiful visually conceals the air vents for a clean uncluttered design.

Besides having a large 9-inch HD colour touchscreen, there is a 7-inch colour instrument display with a digital tachometer on the left side, a multi-information display in the centre and a physical speedometer dial.

11th generation Honda Civic debuts in Thailand

Special Edition of Honda HR-V available, priced at RM105,363.85

Honda Malaysia today announced the availability of a limited number of Honda HR-V Special Edition models with enhanced safety features. The limited edition SE version comes with Blind Spot Detection (BSD) to detect and alert the driver of vehicles or motorcyclists coming up in the blind spot behind and along the sides.

While Honda has installed the camera-based LaneWatch blindspot system in many models, the BSD for the HR-V SE is a simpler system using proximity sensors in the bodywork. When another vehicle is detected, the driver will be alerted so that he or she will not make a turn or change lanes and cause an accident.

Other active safety features
Additional safety features using the same sensors in the bodywork include Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) which monitors the traffic situation on either side as the vehicle is reversing out of a parking bay. This is especially useful as the driver often cannot see the road on either side because the view is blocked by other vehicles. RCTA sends out signals on both sides from the bumper sensors and if a vehicle is approaching, the driver will receive a warning and can then stop the vehicle’s movement.

The sensors that are used for BSD are also used for the Door Opening Warning system, a feature that has appeared in recent years. It may not be a very common accident but people still do open doors without checking behind and can cause an accident. If the sensors pick up an approaching object – like a cyclist – the occupant will be warned just before opening the door.

There is also Lane Change Assist (LCA) which will make it safer for the driver when intending to move into another lane. This should not be mistaken for the Lane Keeping Assist which is one of the technologies in the Honda SENSING driver assistance suite. From what we can gather, LCA is an extension of BSD and helps the driver change lanes when it is safe to do so.

Extra equipment
Apart from the enhancements in safety, the HR-V SE doesn’t have any other technical differences from the 1.8-litre versions. However, a Digital Video Recorder (more commonly referred to as a dashcam), boot tray and boot organiser are included in the HR-V SE. The price of RM105,363.95 excludes insurance and sales tax (until the end of 2021) and includes a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty as well as free labour services (terms and conditions apply).

Visit www.honda.com.my or any authorised Honda showroom in Malaysia for more information.

Honda Malaysia offers two extra benefits for new vehicle purchasers until the end of 2021

Honda Malaysia offers two extra benefits for new vehicle purchasers until the end of 2021

Honda Malaysia has announced two programs for new customers who purchase new Honda vehicles from authorised dealers. One is enhanced coverage with the Customer Car Loan Protection Program and the other is a Vaccinated Customer Program, both running till the end of 2021.

The Customer Car Loan Protection Program is available to all customers who register a new Honda vehicle between October 1 and December 31, 2021. For a period of 1 year after the purchase, they will be able to receive a RM12,000 subsidy if they lose their job (terms and conditions apply). The subsidy to support the customer for the monthly instalments is a 100% increase compared to previous insurance coverage.

*During the first year of vehicle ownership, Honda customers will be subsidised for their loan repayments if they lose their job.*

Additional benefits
Additionally, the Customer Car Loan Protection Program includes death or permanent disability coverage of RM20,000, which has also increased by 100% compared to the previous insurance coverage. There is also Burial or Cremation coverage of RM2,000 and Repatriation Expenses of RM5,000. With a total coverage amounting to RM39,000, coverage and benefits are more extensive than normal vehicle insurance coverage.

“We are mindful that having an ownership of a personal mode of transport to commute safely with one’s family is an important need for most Malaysians. By introducing the enhanced Customer Car Loan Protection Program, we aim to help our customers by providing them with some financial support to ease their monthly instalments should the customer be unexpectedly out of employment. This enhanced personal accident insurance initiative is to protect the car loan of new Honda customers so that they can continue to enjoy their new car with peace of mind and without disruptions,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director and CEO, Madoka Chujo.

Vaccination has extra benefits
Under the new Vaccinated Customer Program, all new Honda customers will be entitled to a service voucher worth RM250 with a 1-year validity (terms and conditions apply) if they are registered for the national vaccination program. Those who have received vaccination confirmation and an appointment, or have been vaccinated either partially or fully, also qualify for the benefit.

The customer is required to complete the new car registration within the program period from October 1 to December 31, 2021. They will be required to show proof of their participation in the vaccination program via the MySejahtera mobile application.

*Purchasers of new Honda vehicles during the program period that runs till the end of this year will receive a service voucher worth RM250 if they are vaccinated for protection against COVID-19.*

“This program is an initiative by Honda Malaysia to support the Malaysian Government’s vaccination program and to encourage people to get vaccinated in an effort to achieve herd immunity. We strongly believe that these programs that we have initiated will help support our customers to tide through this difficult period and more importantly, we wish to share with them the joy of owning a Honda car,” said Ms. Chujo.

Authorised Honda dealerships nationwide have commenced operations with strict compliance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). In September 2021, all Honda dealerships nationwide participated in the ‘I’m Vaccinated’ campaign and all personnel on duty at showrooms and service centres are already fully vaccinated.

For more information on the enhanced Customer Car Loan Protection Program and new Vaccinated Customer Program, visit any authorised Honda dealership or call Honda’s Toll-Free number at 1-800-88-2020. Information and location of showrooms can also be found at www.honda.com.my.

New Honda models to be launched in Malaysia before year-end

Second generation of Honda BR-V has global debut from Indonesia

It was no secret that the N7X Concept shown earlier in the year was a sneak preview of the new Honda BR-V (although the carmaker didn’t say so). Now Honda has finally unveiled the production model online from Indonesia where its global production hub is located. This is the second time that Indonesia is the location for the global debut of the model which was launched in August 2015. However, it was only in May 2017 that it was finally launched in Malaysia.

The second generation of the crossover SUV not only has fresh new looks but, just like the first City and the second one, it appears that Honda took in a lot of feedback from owners to make improvements to the model. Features which may have taken another generation before being available in the BR-V are included as well as the Honda SENSING driver assistance system.

Honda has not provided dimensions but from the pictures, it seems the new BR-V has grown very slightly, or it could be just the body lines giving that impression. The frontal appearance has gained a bolder look with a distinctive grille flanked by LED headlamps with LEF day running lights. The rear end has new combination lights with LED Light Bars designed to blend in with the body line.

Like the first generation, the second generation of the BR-V also has generous ground clearance. This is something which carmakers who understand the Indonesian market know is an important point. Besides rough roads in the rural areas, there are also floods and being able to cross deep water is appreciated.

*Global debut of the first generation in 2015.*

*Honda N7X Concept shown earlier this year as a preview of the new BR-V.*

The original concept of the BR-V was to combine the design and toughness of an SUV and within, offer the cabin comfort and functionality of an MPV. This concept is retained for the second generation with increased comfort levels and more functionality. There are three rows of seats for up to 7 persons. The use of leather lining has also been added in the cabin for a more premium feel. Storage areas have been increased too, with more power outlets. The driver is provided all the necessary information on a 4.2-inch Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) display, supplemented by a 7-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system.

Owners of the new BR-V will enjoy more convenience with features such as Remote Engine Start, Walk-Away Auto Lock function, Smart Entry System and auto-folding door mirrors. With the auto-lock function, the doors will lock automatically when the driver has walked at least 2 metres or more from the car.

In safety too, the new BR-V makes a big leap with the inclusion of Honda SENSING. This is a suite of assistance systems to help the driver avoid an accident or act automatically to prevent the accident. These systems, already available in the other models, include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, automatic emergency braking and automatic headlight high beam control. Also included now are Hill Start Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist and side airbags (besides the front ones).

Also of note is the addition of Honda LaneWatch, a blindspot monitoring system that makes use of a camera on the left side of the car. The mirror is mounted on the door mirror and captures real-time imagery of the area along the side of the car, displaying it on the screen on the dashboard. It is only active when the left turn signal is on, and the imagery is clear even at night.

The new BR-V continues to use a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine (improved, of course) with maximum output of 121 ps/145 Nm. Customers can choose a manual transmission or a new CVT which delivers power to the front wheels.

Over 255,000 units have been sold since the model was launched in Indonesia, of which around 30% were delivered in the Indonesian market. While the City is Honda Malaysia’s strongest seller, the BR-V has also had its own following among families with its 7-person cabin and entry-level pricing. Until July this year, over 35,000 units have been assembled in Malaysia.

Honda Malaysia has mentioned that a new model will be launched before the year ends and this new one could be it. Given the need to pump up interest for people to shop for cars again, Honda Malaysia is unlikely to wait two years to launch the new BR-V, as was the case with the first generation.

To know more about Honda models in Malaysia, visit www.honda.com.my.

World premiere of Honda N7X Concept in Indonesia previews next BR-V 7-seater

Honda Malaysia prepares for the New Normal at dealerships

COVID-19 isn’t going to disappear from our lives so quickly. Like many other diseases, it may have diminished presence but it will still be around and still infect people. In fact, few known diseases have been completely eradicated, smallpox being one of them in 1980. Thanks to medical advances and vaccines, we are better protected against diseases, even if we may not be totally immune to them.

Medical experts now suggest that we prepare to ‘live with COVID-19’ and that means continuing with most of the precautions that we have been practicing over the past year. You should know them by now – temperature scanning, social distancing, frequent washing of hands, and using facemasks in crowded areas.

In the business world, companies will also have to adjust to the New Normal and Honda Malaysia is taking a proactive step with a campaign to provide customers and associates with added confidence and safety assurance at its authorized nationwide. The campaign, known as ‘I’m Vaccinated’ ensures that only those who have completed their vaccination doses will be allowed to be on duty at the dealerships.

The company and its dealers are committed to ensuring that all the associates are getting their vaccination in a timely manner. To date, 80% of dealer associates in the country have been fully vaccinated and by October 2021, all of them should be vaccinated.

“We are thankful that our car production has resumed operations and Honda dealerships can carry out sales and aftersales services to serve our customers. Under the “I’m Vaccinated” campaign which kicks off this month at all our dealerships nationwide, our dealer associates who are fully vaccinated and have passed 14 days from the date of their second dose will be provided with a badge and facemask that have a specially-designed ‘I Am Fully Vaccinated’ logo for easy identification,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Madoka Chujo

“We will not take the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) lightly and will continue to strictly follow all the necessary preventive and precautionary measures that we have been practicing since the emergence of COVID-19 in Malaysia,” she assured.

*Dealership premises will be sanitised and disinfected on a routine and frequent basis.*

“We believe this initiative can help to boost customer confidence during interactions with Honda dealer associates by showing that we are ready to meet and serve the customers in a safe environment as well as providing them peace of mind while being present at the dealerships. We also hope to encourage more people to get vaccinated, in addition to adhering to the SOPs at all times. Through this effort, it will not only protect themselves, but also to help the country to achieve its herd immunity as soon as possible,” Ms. Chujo added.

In addition to safeguarding the safety of the customers and Honda dealer associates, the company will continue to ensure that the sanitisation and disinfection of all premises are undertaken on a routine and frequent basis at all its dealerships.

In connection with the resumption of sales activities, Honda Malaysia has initiated the ‘Government Staff Program’, an exclusive programme for government employees (including those in government-linked companies) and their spouses. The program, which is on until October 31, 2021, offers special discounts worth up to RM1,000 on top of the monthly promotion for the 7-Seater BR-V model.

*Government employees and those in GLCs can purchase a new BR-V with a special discount.*

For all customers, there is also a ‘September Special Benefits’ promotion throughout this month in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebration. This promotion offers rewards worth up to RM6,000 and, of course, there is still the exemption of sales tax until the end of the year as well.

To know more about Honda products and services or to locate an authorized Honda dealer in Malaysia, visit www.honda.com.my.

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