Honda Malaysia is strong in its gender equality and especially in product planning, teams have been led by women. Now the company can add having its first female Managing Director and CEO, Madoka Chujo to the list. While she is not the first female heading a car company in Malaysia, she is still one of the few to date.
Ms Chujo takes over from Toichi Ishiyama who returns to the head office in Japan. She was previously Vice-President at Honda Canada Inc. since 2019. She has been with Honda Motor Company for 23 years and has held various roles in Japan, China, Spain and Canada. Her expertise and experience are in the area of sales strategy which she applied in her previous positions.
Commenting on her new role at Honda Malaysia, Ms. Chujo said: “Malaysia is indeed an important market in the Asia and Oceania region with Honda Malaysia achieving various significant sales milestones and has become one of the leading automotive brands in the country. I am looking forward and excited for my first assignment as the MD and CEO of Honda Malaysia and, at the same time, I am also eager to explore Malaysia as the country is unique and a melting pot of diverse cultures and people, with enormous potential and of course, a fast-paced work environment.”
During Mr. Ishiyama’s term as MD and CEO, he introduced a number of new models including the latest Honda City. He also maintained the brand’s No. 1 position in the Non-National segment.
Mr. Ishiyama, who was with Honda Malaysia since November 2017, oversaw the continued growth of the company as it passed 900,000 unit sales in 2019 and then reached the 1 millionth sales unit in March 2021 (the numbers are taken from the time Honda Malaysia was established). During Mr. Ishiyama’s term, Honda Malaysia has also continued to maintain its position as the No. 1 Non-National car brand for six consecutive years. The achievements are noteworthy, especially with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic since March last year.
Honda Malaysia has many women who lead product teams developing new models, like Nadzirah Azli, who was involved in the fourth generation of the City.
Cabin ventilation systems in cars used to have either fresh air brought in from outside, or recirculated air. In some countries, manufacturers added filters especially to trap pollen and help those who had allergies. But generally, the system was quite straightforward and advancements were largely in improving cooling (or heating) efficiency and distribution of air.
Over the past 20 years, companies like Volvo have gone further to improve air quality, and some systems also have ion generators to freshen the air. Now Honda has developed a premium cabin air filter which it says can reliably captures viral aerosols, is highly effective at capturing a wide range of harmful germs, allergens and even viruses related to significant health problems, – including infection risks associated with the SARS COV-2 virus or what the world knows as COVID-19.
Honda genuine accessory
The Honda premium cabin air filter was developed in cooperation with Freudenberg of Germany and is offered as a new Honda genuine spare part in the European market, as an alternative to the standard Honda pollen filter in most recent models.
“As society is now more aware than even of the impact of germs and viruses such as COVID-19, we expect the demand for protective solutions to increase rapidly. This premium cabin air filter is a great example of Honda working together rapidly with its suppliers to deliver a product of real benefit that improves the health and safety of driver and occupants,” said Eiichi Hino, President Honda Access Europe NV.
Significantly reducing concentration of viral aerosols
This new premium cabin air filter provides active protection by significantly reducing the concentration of viral aerosols. This is achieved by a unique multi-layer design that effectively filters, captures and suppresses noxious environmental gases as well as inorganic and biological particles and aerosols.
The premium cabin air filter is available as a Honda accessory for recent models, including the new Honda e.
4-layer filtration system for maximum protection
The fine particle filtration layers provide improved protection against virus transmission in comparison to standard filters. They demonstrably separate not only droplets (> 5 μm), but also critical viral aerosols (droplet nuclei significantly below 5 μm).
The filter can trap more than 90% of viral aerosols and an innovative second step inactivates almost 100% of the captured viral load via a bio-functional layer impregnated with fruit extract. The first two microfibre layers of the Honda premium cabin air filter capture most ultrafine aerosols, dust and pollen while the third layer, made of activated carbon, is responsible for the adsorption of harmful pollution such as particulates and acid gases.
An innovative fourth bio-functional layer coated with the active substance of fruit extract then effectively inactivates captured viral aerosols and prevents them from being released back into the cabin air. This has been conclusively proved by a comprehensive series of tests conducted in collaboration with the Austrian Research Institute OFI.
Fresh air also important
Coronaviruses are spread in droplets produced when those affected sneeze, cough or breathe and can remain infectious on surfaces for hours or even days. Wind disturbances, temperature changes and humidity can all cause that these particles become airborne again, at which point they can be picked up by the filter. To lower the infection risk in the vehicle cabin, it is generally recommended to increase the fresh air supply to reduce the concentration of aerosols. In recirculation mode, removing viruses from the air largely depends on the efficiency of the filtration system and the air exchange rate.
Honda Malaysia has a close relationship with the state of Melaka as its own assembly plant is located in the state at the Pegoh Industrial Park. The plant began operations in 2003 and assembles a wide range of models which also have a high degree of localisation.
One of the latest models is the all-new Honda City RS e:HEV which entered showrooms this year. Part of the new City range, the RS e:HEV is powered by a highly efficient 2-motor hybrid system with Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD). With a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine as part of the powertrain, the e:HEV system can deliver an impressive 253 Nm of torque with 109 ps of power. It will certainly be a game-changer in its segment.
Latest Honda City RS e:HEV
Recently, in connection with its association with Melaka, Honda Malaysia presented one unit of the City RS e:HEV to Invest Melaka Berhad (IMB). The presentation was in collaboration with SOCAR Mobility Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (SOCAR) and in conjunction with the 50th anniversary celebration of Melaka State Development Corporation (PKNM).
Commenting on the presentation, Sarly Adle Sarkum, President & COO of Honda Malaysia said: “We are delighted to be a part of the celebration by Invest Melaka Berhad and to be able to contribute to the development of our local automotive industry. Honda began operations at Pegoh Plant in Melaka over 17 years ago and currently has two production lines with a production capacity of up to 100,000 units of vehicles per year. We are committed to the Malaysian market and the growth of the automotive industry here. We would like to thank the Malaysian Government, the State Government of Melaka, Invest Melaka Berhad and all our valued customers for their continuous trust which enables Honda to be the company that society wants to exist. With the strong support received, we have recently celebrated our remarkable milestone of 1 millionth sales unit. Honda will continue to be committed in giving back to all Malaysians through various initiatives.”
Honda Malaysia’s assembly plant in Melaka.
Visit any authorised Honda dealer to view, test-drive or purchase the new City. To locate a showroom, visit www.honda.com.my or call Honda’s Toll-Free number at 1-800-88-2020.
It is said that the best recipe for success is to keep things as basic and to the point as possible. With little fussing around, there’s little room for anything to be of considerable bother.
And in general automotive terms, there aren’t many cars that offer as bother-free ownership as a Honda City. It is as simple a recipe as a good car goes – a good design, a good interior with all the latest entertainment, comfortable seats, good space for occupants and their luggage and good safety features as well. The Honda City has it all yet does not overdo anything in particular. It is an achiever, yet not an overachiever, like a friend that went on to become a doctor, a GP, but not an industry dominating specialist.
That is until a new Honda City is introduced. And that is exactly where we are getting at with this article.
If you are a current Honda City owner and swear by it, then this would be a good time to trade up to the latest City. Or if you have always wanted a Honda City but have been waiting for the right moment to strike, well, that moment has arrived. Or if you just want a car that can safely and comfortably take the kids to college or uni.
The fifth-generation City has proven to be galaxies apart from its predecessor. And in this article, we give you some good reasons why this is the car you should be going for should you be looking to upgrade
Lets start with the interior..
The interior is leap years better than the City it replaces. In fact, we even dare say that it is as good an interior as an E46 BMW and save for a couple of panels here and there. Perhaps even as good the E90.
We are talking about quality and fitment here. And that’s before we get to the seats and the interior features.
But on the topic of the seats, this is the one part that has improved by leaps and bounds.
The seats in the new Honda are among the most, if not THE most, comfortable seats in the segment. You can probably feel the comfort level of the seat from the photo above alone, and when compared to the model it replaces (old seats shown below), the difference in comfort is akin to night and day in comparison.
This is of course in the top of the line V-variant, the others don’t offer such perfectly padded seats. And seats have to look just as good as they are to sit on, because great looking seats would be half the battle won. Don’t believe us? Why do you think Bentley or Rolls-Royce put in all that effort to ensure the leather they use are devoid of any imperfections? Because aesthetics are everything.
And then there is the onboard entertainment system. Accessible via an eight inch touch-screen display, which is again leaps and bounds better than the model it replaces, which offered only a tiny screen that was completely counter intuitive and looked and felt like it was installed at a local ‘brother’s’ outlet (shown below). In fact, it was so difficult to connect the bluetooth functions of your phone to the previous generations entertainment system that it was easier to simply talk on your phone while driving and paying the ‘saman’ you get for it than connecting your phone to the entertainment system. Worse if you had more than five people in the family sharing the car because the system only remembered five profiles. You had to delete on just to connect your own.
Now though, the entertainment system offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the touch screen system is intuitive and easily navigable that even boomers would find it difficult to complain about.
Basically the interior is so much better than before that even the new steering wheel (above) feels like it has progressed about 20 years from the older model, both in touch and feel as well as functionality.
Then there are the air-conditioning controls. But before that, let it be known that we are huge fans of rotating dials because there is nothing more straight forward and to the point than one of those circular things that control functions so accurately.
The dials in a Lexus for example feel so good that it is reminiscent of a high-end audio amplifier, one of those that costs a kidney and feature a heavy metal dial.
The one in the Honda City is not made of metal and it doesn’t feel like you would need to sacrifice a kidney for it, but it feels good enough. And it is a much welcomed departure from the old touch screen ones where you had to tap it a couple of times if you wanted the blower to work harder, or to set the temperature. Now, all you have to do is rotate a dial. Simplicity is bliss.
Same power figures but better fuel consumption!
Engine bay of the new Honda City.
Well, the two run on almost the same engine, except that the new 1.5-litre now comes with a new DOHC units that puts out 121PS and 145Nm of torque. Just for reference, the previous City put out 120PS and the same 145Nm of torque. So there really isn’t much difference in terms of power, neither is it worth mentioning.
Engine bay of the previous generation Honda City.
But the new City is more efficient in terms of fuel efficiency, and when it comes to a car like the Honda City, that is ultimately what matters (simply because no one buys a Honda City for its power figures). The driving habits of the drivers behind both cars were a lot different, but during the photoshoot for this article, the new City still had about half a tank of fuel left while the older one was close to E! And both started at about the same fuel point.
Design
Yes yes, this is where you can bash us a little and we will graciously accept. Because everyone feels entitled to become a keyboard warrior these days, you could perhaps argue that there is very little that a trip to an accessory shop cannot fit. And you may be right. But we would like to beg to differ here. Simply because there is one mega difference that really drives us up a very slippery wall when it comes to the design of the new City.
Everything is nice and dandy from the side. The rims look great. And that rear too is much more proportionate now than ever before. Some do say that the new City looks too much like a BMW 3-Series, but looks are subjective. But then again, there really is nothing wrong with mimicking a successful formula, especially when a City starts to look and feel like a yesteryear Beemer.
But what in the world is up with that mega chrome strip up front that sits right above the grille and seems to merge into the bonnet? That elongated chrome strip of the previous City was bad enough, but now that it is bigger, bad has become worse! It could possibly blind on-coming traffic when the sun is at the right angle, or the driver of a car in front could suddenly be blinded when the sun suddenly glares him through the rear view mirror.
Of course, these are all probabilities, and no one has really reported of such things happening in the real world. But if there is anything that a trip to an accessory shop can fix, it would be the complete removal of that fat chrome lip up front.
We do however love the design of the headlights of the top of the line V-spec, which also work fantastically well in the dark.
Passenger Comfort
We have already touched on how comfortable the seats are in the new City V-spec. But spaciousness is the name of the game here. And the new Honda City is more spacious than before. And you really do feel it when you get inside. There’s more leg room, and the back rests are angled ever so slightly, so you sit more comfortably.
This is quite obvious considering that the new City is bigger than the car it replaces – it is longer, wider and lower. The wheelbase is the same yet there is more interior space for passengers. Curiously though, booth space is a few millimetres smaller than before, but in terms of booth space, the City still offers the most space when compared to its competitors.
Conclusion
The entire purpose of us writing this article is because there are people out there who simply swear by the Honda City. And some love it so much that some families buy two or more of it. This writer’s family being among them, and knows of a few more families that do as well.
We never understood such buying behaviour because ‘variety is, and always will be, the spice of life’, and if you need more than one or two cars, you simply do not buy two of the same. Why not buy different cars and swap among family members so you never get bored of driving the same car?
But that’s just us.
So if your family swears by the Honda City – then trade up to the new one. Or if you are looking for a car in this segment, then the new City will not disappoint. And there has never been a better time than now.
Of the seven Special Edition models to be given away to celebrate 1 million sales of new vehicles since Honda Malaysia was established, the Honda BR-V is the youngest one in the Malaysian range. It was introduced in early 2017 and was specially developed by Honda R&D Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. (HRAP) for the ASEAN market and is the first HRAP model to be introduced in Malaysia.
The BR-V (the initials stand for Bold Runabout Vehicle) was developed in anticipation of demand for SUV and utility vehicles growing in this region. Taking into consideration usage requirements in the different markets, it was found that a bigger space was desired, and as the space within created was larger, the BR-V could be configured as a 7-seater.
Class-leading in 3 areas
The BR-V is class-leading in boot volume (223 litres with all seats up, 539 litres when 3rd row seats are folded), engine output (120 ps) and ground clearance (201 mm). It also has a maximum 5-star rating from ASEAN NCAP which evaluated its safety and results of a crash-test.
Powering the compact crossover is a 1.5L i-VTEC engine coupled to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) which was developed with Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology to improve fuel economy and deliver better driving performance.
1.5V variant for Special Edition
Two variants of the BR-V are assembled in Malaysia – the 1.5E and 1.5V – with prices starting from RM86,726 (without insurance). Honda Malaysia chose the 1.5V variant for its ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition and the exclusive unit (money cannot buy) is finished in white with a black roof, like the other Special Edition models.
The other exclusive features are the black grille with a red highlight line with red lines on each door mirror as well. The 16-inch alloy wheels, finished in black, also have the red highlights and of course, there are exclusive emblems on either side of the bodywork.
The BR-V 1.5V comes standard with leather upholstery and just for the Special Edition, ‘1 Million Dreams’ wording is embossed on the headrests, while the leather-wrapped steering wheel has red stitching and a centre mark at the 12 o’clock position. A small ‘1 Million Dreams’ plaque is also affixed to the dashboard to identify this very exclusive model.
The seats can be folded separately to create various cabin layouts according to usage. The second row of seats can slide forward and back to adjust legroom, as well as tumble forward for easy access to the third row. The third row seats can also be folded and tumbled forward to create a larger space for cargo.
Additional giveaways
Additionally, as part of the ‘1 Million Dreams’ campaign, there is the Shopee Coins Giveaway for those who participate in any of the ‘1 Million Dreams’ activities on honda.com.my or at an authorized Honda dealer! Up to 1,000,000 Shopee Coins are being given out to 150 weekly winners.
The lucky winner of the BR-V Special Edition will be announced at a Grand Finale scheduled to be held at the end of this month at Stadium Bukit Jalil on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. The Grand Finale Fun Fair will be on March 27 and 28 and entrance is free. Do remember that with the pandemic still on, you have to observe the Standard Operating Procedures when at the site and do remember to bring along and use a facemask.
Visit any authorized Honda dealership nationwide to participate. Locations of dealerships can be found at www.honda.com.my.
Being developed specially for the ASEAN market, the BR-V had its world premiere at a motorshow in Indonesia. It was progressively introduced in various markets in the region, with the Malaysian-assembled version launched in early 2017.Response to the BR-V surprised Honda Malaysia as over 4,000 bookings were received within a space of just 3 weeks following the launch. That number was 5 times greater than the target that had been set for each month. Nevertheless, with adjustment of the production schedule at the Melaka plant, waiting times were maintained at 1 to 2 months. After the first 6 months, Honda Malaysia reported impressive sales of close to 11,000, exceeding its annual sales target of 10,000 units for the model.In June last year, a refreshed BR-V (shown above) was introduced. As it was during the pandemic period, the launch campaign had the theme of ‘Be Kind With BR-V’, dedicated to support COVID-19 relief programmes. Between June 2 and August 31, 2020, for every unit of the new BR-V sold, Honda Malaysia donated a portion of the proceeds to the relief programmes.
The Honda CR-V helped to create the modern SUV segment in the mid-1990s, starting a trend that continuously enlarged the segment to this day. Along the way, a new generation of SUVs have appeared with more car-like styling as well – while still retaining the aspects of SUVs that people like. This gave rise to terms like ‘crossover’ and the association more with the ‘urban jungle’ than the natural jungle.
Honda took note of this trend and developed the HR-V (also known as the Vezel in Japan and some markets) to meet new tastes. This had a fresh, sleek design and Honda described it as having ‘the dynamic qualities of an SUV, the elegance of a coupe and the functionality of a minivan’.
RS variant chosen for Special Edition
Naturally, the HR-V would be included in the exclusive line-up of Special Edition models to celebrate the cumulative sales of 1 million vehicles since Honda Malaysia was established. A single unit of the HR-V RS variant was given the Special Edition treatment which consists of a dual-tone finish with a white body and black roof. At the front, the black grille has a red highlight line running across the lower section and there are also similar red lines on each door mirror. The alloy wheels, finished in black, also have the red highlights and of course, there are exclusive emblems on either side of the bodywork.
Inside the spacious cabin of the HR-V are exclusive features like the ‘1 Million Dreams’ wording embossed on the leather front seats, while the leather-wrapped steering wheel has red stitching and a centre mark to indicate to the driver where the front wheels are pointed. A small ‘1 Million Dreams’ plaque is also affixed to the dashboard to identify this very exclusive model.
The HR-V RS variant used for the ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition is powered by a 1.8-litre SOHC i-VTEC engine with an output of 142 ps/172 Nm, delivered to the front wheels via a CVT. As the top variant in the HR-V range, the alloy wheels are 18 inches in diameter and fitted with 225/50 tyres.
Like the top variants of the other Honda models, the HR-V Special Edition has many premium features – cruise control, keyless entry and pushbutton engine start/stop, paddle shifters, power adjustment for the driver’s seat, electric parking brake and automatic air-conditioning system.
Multi-utility space
The rear half of the cabin has a multi-utility space with three modes to suit different purposes. The layout can be configured for carrying tall items (like the ULTRA Seat in the Jazz), long items or large items. And if it’s just people in the back seat, the amount of space available for legroom is class-leading.
Up to 6 airbags are installed at the front and sides of the cabin, ready to deploy and providing cushioning during a severe impact. The airbags supplement the G-CON structure which absorbs impact energy before it can reach the occupants to cause injuries. Honda LaneWatch, a system for monitoring the blind zone on the left side of the car using a camera, is also provided.
Only one person gets to own the HR-V Special Edition but you can also own a HR-V, and you have a choice of three variants with 1.8-litre engines as well as the HR-V Hybrid, with prices starting from RM104,000 (excluding insurance).
Additional giveaways
Additionally, as part of the ‘1 Million Dreams’ campaign, there is the Shopee Coins Giveaway for those who participate in any of the ‘1 Million Dreams’ activities on honda.com.my or at an authorised Honda dealer! Up to 1,000,000 Shopee Coins are being given out to 150 weekly winners.
Visit any authorised Honda dealership nationwide to participate. Locations of dealerships can be found at www.honda.com.my.
The lucky winners will be announced at a Grand Finale scheduled to be held by the end of this month at Stadium Bukit Jalil on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. The Grand Finale Fun Fair will be on March 27 and 28 and entrance is free. Do remember that with the pandemic still on, you have to observe the Standard Operating Procedures when at the site and do remember to bring along and use a facemask.
The unexpectedly high record bookings have led to a 4-month waiting period, and Honda Malaysia’s plant in Melaka had to revise its production scheduling to try to deliver more vehicles. Fortunately, its No.2 line was in operation already and the flexible production schedule enabled revisions to be made so that customers did not have to wait long.Since being launched in Malaysia 6 years ago, around 100,000 units have been sold. Last year, the HR-V was the third best-selling model for Honda Malaysia, accounting for 17% of its total sales. It also maintained its leadership position in the Non-National Compact SUV segment with a 73% market share.
When the Honda Fit – the name for the Jazz in Japan – was launched in 2001, it arrived at a time when consumer tastes were changing. Traditional sedans were no longer appealing and motorists in Japan wanted compact and eco-friendly cars. The Fit proved to be just the sort of car they preferred and not surprisingly, the model outsold the Corolla which had been the bestselling car in Japan year after year since it was launched in 1966. It even became ‘Japan Car of the Year’ for 2001, strong validation of the product concept being right for the times.
The Fit was also right for other markets where small was increasingly preferred as urban conditions became more and more congested. Honda exported the car to many countries, including the big US market. In Malaysia, where it was introduced as the Jazz, its entry was modest as it was an imported CBU model but it still attracted interest due to its practical and innovative features.
Eventually, Honda Malaysia began assembling the model as strong demand was evident, and it has remained a popular hatchback in the local line-up. The current generation in the Malaysian market is the third generation which was launched in 2017. From the line-up of four variants, Honda Malaysia has chosen the Jazz 1.5V for the ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition that will be given away at the end of this month.
Specially for frontliners
In the past year, the heroes in the fight against COVID-19 have been the frontliners, especially those in the healthcare areas. As a way of saying ‘Thank You‘ to these Malaysians for their dedication to protect us and save lives, the Jazz ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition is reserved for a winner from this group that includes those in the Health, Defence, Public Service and Education sectors. They are invited to submit entries and select the ‘FRONTLINERS’ category to identify themselves when filling out their details.
Like the other six Special Edition models, this exclusive Jazz comes in a dual-tone finish with a white body and black roof. At the front, the black grille has a red highlight line running across it and there are also similar red lines on each door mirror. At the rear end too, a red highlight has been added below the bumper. The alloy wheels, finished in black, also have the red highlights.
The Jazz has a spacious platform which provides a roomy interior. Exclusive features within are the ‘1 Million Dreams’ wording embossed on the half-leather front seats, while the leather-wrapped steering wheel has red stitching and a centre mark to indicate to the driver where the front wheels are pointed (which may not always be where the nose is pointed!).
Innovative ULTRA Seats
Right from the start, the Jazz has had ULTRA Seats in the rear and the concept for these seats came about after the leader of the development team and his members spent long hours observing how people use their cars, especially when out shopping. And by simply making it possible to fold the rear seats upwards against the backrests, a taller space was created which would be useful when carrying tall items like plants.
At the same time, the seating layout was also made more versatile with additional variations, including one that allowed stretching out to relax. The interior designers also thoughtfully added grocery hooks to the underside of the ULTRA Seats.
Premium features
With the Jazz 1.5V variant, there are a number of premium features such as paddle shifters, touch controls for the air-conditioning system, engine pushstart button and keyless entry, and cruise control.
The occupants are well protected not just by the tough G-CON structure but also airbags on the front and sides. Active safety systems such as ABS, Vehicle Stability Assist, Brake Assist and Hillstart Assist are provided to ensure that the driver can avoid accidents or maintain control in slippery conditions.
The engine is the familiar SOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder unit which produces 120 ps/145 Nm, output that will enable spirited performance as the Jazz has a kerb weight of 1,099 kgs. The Jazz was the first Honda model to introduce the CVT in the Malaysian market and this transmission type remains in use as it promotes fuel efficiency.
While you can’t buy the Jazz Special Edition, there are three variants of the model that you can choose from, with prices starting from RM72,511 (excluding insurance). A MUGEN package is also available, along with optional packages to enhance functionality or looks.
Additional giveaways
Additionally, as part of the ‘1 Million Dreams’ campaign, there is the Shopee Coins Giveaway for those who participate in any of the ‘1 Million Dreams’ activities on honda.com.my or at an authorised Honda dealer! Up to 1,000,000 Shopee Coins are being given out to 150 weekly winners.
The lucky winners will be announced at a Grand Finale scheduled to be held by the end of this month.
Visit any authorised Honda dealership nationwide to participate. Locations of dealerships can be found at www.honda.com.my.
The Jazz, also known as the Fit in Japan, was marketed in its home market with the theme of ‘Small is the New Big’, and appealed to a new generation of consumers. It was Japan Car of the Year for 2001 and its successor again won the title in 2007. It appeared in Malaysia in April 2003 as a CBU model imported from Thailand.ULTRA Seat concept in the Jazz was one of the clever ideas it had which created more room for carrying tall items like plants.The Jazz grew in popularity after the second generation was launched in 2008, offering the nippiness of the hatchback and versatility for many usage requirements. In 2012, local assembly of the Jazz Hybrid (shown above) began at Honda Malaysia’s plant in Melaka and it was the first hybrid model ever assembled in the country. The sporty side of the Jazz was also demonstrated when it was used by the Honda Malaysia team in local races.The current Jazz, when launched in 2017, came with Honda’s new advanced Sport Hybrid i-DCD system and Malaysia was the only country outside Japan to introduce this powertrain.
The Honda City has been Honda Malaysia’s bestselling model for many years and certainly deserves to be one of the very exclusive ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition models. Originally conceived as Honda’s ‘Asian Car’ to provide a new entry-level model when the Civic had risen aware from that position, the City had the right formula in both price and design to win more and more customers.
It was assembled in Malaysia right from the first generation in the closing years of the 1990s. The early generation was assembled in Johor at the Oriental Assemblers factory and then assembly was transferred to Melaka when the Honda Malaysia plant began operations in 2003.
Commenting on the success of the model, Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Toichi Ishiyama, said: “The City has proven to be an important model for Honda Malaysia, a favourite among many Malaysians for its spaciousness, practicality and safety features.”
Although the City was already being sold before 2001, Honda Malaysia records sales of the City from that year and according to the company’s data, cumulative sales have been 351,000 units. Of that number, the 4th Generation City launched in 2014 accounted for more than 205,000 units and kept the model in a leadership position in its segment.
The fifth generation was launched last October and as with previous generations, there was a long list of people waiting for it. Some 5,000 people put their money down to book a unit; although they knew what it looked like, they did not have a chance to try it first. But as with other Honda models, the brand has become so trusted that it was not a matter of waiting to hear if there were any negative experiences by new owners, as can be the case with some brands. Those who liked what they saw and read about were confident enough to pay the deposit to be among the first to own one.
For the ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition, one unit of the latest City 1.5V variant has been given additional features. The features are identical for all the Special Edition models: on the exterior are a Dual-Tone finish (white bodywork with black roof), red highlight line running across the black grille, red highlight line on each door mirror, red highlights on wheels with a black finish and of course, ‘1 Million Dreams’ emblems on either side of the bodywork.
Exclusive interior fittings
Inside the cabin which has been noted for its spaciousness, the leather upholstered front seats have an embossed ‘1 Million Dreams’ signature as well as a plaque on the dashboard. The steering wheel is also leather-wrapped and has sporty red stitching as well as a red mark at the 12 o’clock position. This little detail is usually found on sportscars or drivers put it so that there is a visual indicator to where the front wheels are pointing. Every owner of a Special Edition model will also receive an exclusive Honda Leather Pouch.
The City 1.5V uses a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine with a DOHC and 16-valve cylinder head and a PGM-FI fuel delivery system. Output from this proven engine, the most powerful in its class, is 121 ps/145 Nm which goes through a CVT to the front wheels. While offering zippy performance, the engine also runs economically, with factory tests indicating that it will go almost 19 kms a litre. Drivers can stretch the litre further by using the ECON mode which prioritises fuel-saving.
Features from more expensive models
Though it is priced from RM86,561.45 (without insurance), the City has many features that are usually enjoyed by those who buy more expensive cars. For instance, the engine and air-conditioner can be started remotely and unlocking the doors is keyless along with starting/stopping the engine. The 1.5V variant also comes with cruise control and paddle shifters on the steering wheel.
With its strong G-FORCE CONTROL (G-CON) body structure, the latest City has been awarded the maximum of 5 stars from ASEAN NCAP. It comes with a comprehensive range of active and passive safety systems and features that will help the driver to avoid an accident and reduce injuries if the accident does occur. ISOFIX points are provided at the rear seat so owners can install compatible childseats which are now required by law.
Being aware of the surroundings is important for safe driving and besides a Multi-Angle Reverse Cameras, the new City 1.5V has Honda LaneWatch. This is an innovative camera-based system which provides the driver with a real-time view of the blind spot along the left side of the car. The advantage of this system is that the driver does not need to turn the head so much to see the traffic situation (unlike having to turn a lot to see the door mirror). The LaneWatch display automatically comes on whenever the signal indicator is activated.
Being feature-packed, Honda Malaysia believes the new City is a game-changer in its class. While you cannot buy the ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition which will be given free to one lucky Malaysian, you can choose from 4 variants to purchase, including the recently-launched City RS with the e:HEV hybrid powertrain. Prices start from RM74,191 and go up to RM105,950 (without insurance). There are also Modulo accessories available which are specially designed for the new City.
How to own this exclusive car
To own the City ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition, you need to submit as many entries as possible. The entries can be obtained by participating in various activities during the campaign period which ends on March 24, 2021. If you have the Honda Touch app, you can get 5x entries.
Each owner of a Special Edition model will also receive this exclusive Honda Leather Pouch.
Additional giveaways
Additionally, as part of the ‘1 Million Dreams’ campaign, there is the Shopee Coins Giveaway for those who participate in any of the ‘1 Million Dreams’ activities on honda.com.my or at an authorised Honda dealer! Up to 1,000,000 Shopee Coins are being given out to 150 weekly winners.
The lucky winners will be announced at a Grand Finale scheduled to be held by the end of this month.
Visit any authorised Honda dealership nationwide to participate. Locations of dealerships can be found at www.honda.com.my.
The City was originally a compact hatchback Honda model in the 1980s which was only produced between 1981 and 1994 in two generations. The City which people know today was a new sedan launched in 1996. It was Honda’s ‘Asian Car’, developed to offer a more affordable Honda model to developing markets where the Civic’s price had moved it beyond being an ‘entry-level’ model. The hub for City production has been Thailand, although it is also assembled in some other countries like Malaysia where a high level of localization helps to make the price more attractive.
With each generation, the City has gained more and more features and more advanced technologies, including hybrid technologies. The latest City RS e:HEV sold in Malaysia (below) now has Honda SENSING and a new advanced 2-motor hybrid system using an intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD). This is the first time in the Asia & Oceania region that Honda is introducing its e:HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle).
The third model which is part of the very exclusive money-cannot-buy ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition range is the Honda CR-V. This SUV is the third oldest model line in Honda Malaysian’s current line-up, so it would have contributed significantly to the sales volume of Honda in Malaysia. It’s been around since the first generation which came out in the mid-1990s and, along with Toyota’s RAV4, established a new market segment.
The CR-V was initially imported in CBU (completely built-up) form and sold quite well as it offered passenger car-like comfort and driving character with the functional image of a SUV. The early generations even came with a picnic table cleverly stowed in the floor of the boot.
When production began at Honda Malaysia’s plant in Melaka in 2003, the first model to be assembled was the CR-V, which was then in its second generation. To commemorate the model’s special place in the plant’s history, a Melaka Edition was created for sale to the public in limited numbers.
Now, for the ‘1 Million Dreams’ campaign to celebrate sales of 1 million vehicles since Honda Malaysia was established, a special version of the CR-V will be given away. Like the other Special Edition models, there is only one CR-V to be given away free to a lucky customer. This comes with exclusive features on the exterior are a Dual-Tone finish (white bodywork with black roof), red highlight line running across the black grille, red highlight line on each door mirror, red highlights on wheels with a black finish and of course, the ‘1 Million Dreams’ emblems.
Inside the spacious cabin, the leather upholstered front seats have an embossed ‘1 Million Dreams’ signature as well as a plaque on the dashboard. The steering wheel is also leather-wrapped and has sporty red stitching as well as a red mark at the 12 o’clock position, a visual indicator can help the driver to know where the wheels are pointing – which can be useful on slippery off-road tracks. Every owner of a Special Edition model will also receive an exclusive Honda Leather Pouch.
Earth Dreams engine
The CR-V Special Edition is powered by a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder VTEC 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 as high as 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. With a full fuel tank of 57 litres, that can mean a range of at least 800 kms.
Many people buy a SUV for its high seating position which gives a commanding view, and the ground clearance of 208 mm will give more confidence when going over uneven or even flooded roads.
The version chosen for the Special Edition is the top version and as such, it comes with many premium features as well as lots of convenience features. You can even start the engine and air-conditioner from a distance to cool down the interior on a hot day. And while the level of sound insulation is quite generous to prevent external noises from entering, there is also an Active Noise Control system to cancel out noises at irritating frequencies.
First with Honda SENSING
Besides being the first model to be assembled at Honda Malaysia’s plant, the CR-V is also the first model with Honda SENSING. This suite of driver assistance systems was introduced together with the 5th generation of the model in 2017. Honda SENSING has eight active systems, most of which use a camera and work with each other, to help the driver avoid accidents. The system also has Autonomous Emergency Braking which means that if a collision is likely to occur (as detected by the sensors) but the driver does not take the right action to prevent it, the brakes will come on automatically. Even if it cannot prevent contact (due to the road being slippery), the earlier braking action will reduce the speed and could result in less severe damage, reducing repair costs.
The CR-V was the first model to introduce Honda SENSING in Malaysia when the current generation was launched in 2017.
There’s also Honda LaneWatch, an innovative blindspot monitoring system that uses a camera 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. Active only when the left signal is on, the display allows the driver to spot other vehicles coming up and close. As the display screen is positioned in the middle, the driver also does not have to turn the head so much, which would be the case if having to look at the left door mirror.
You won’t be able to buy the CR-V ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition but if you want to own a CR-V, there are three variants, two of which have the Earth Dreams turbocharged engine. Pricing ranges from RM140,000 to about RM163,000 (without insurance).
All the different ways you can get entries to submit and if you are lucky, you will be the owner of the money-cannot-buy CR-V Special Edition.
If you really want to own the CR-V Special Edition, then you will have to submit as many entries as possible and if you have the Honda Touch app, you can get 5x entries. Additionally, as part of the ‘1 Million Dreams’ campaign, there is the ‘Shopee Coins Giveaway’ for those who participate in any of the ‘1 Million Dreams’ activities on honda.com.my or at an authorised Honda dealer. Up to 1,000,000 Shopee Coins are being given out to 150 weekly winners.
The campaign ends on March 24, 2021 and the lucky winners will be announced at a Grand Finale scheduled to be held by the end of this month.
Visit any authorised Honda dealership nationwide to participate. Locations of dealerships can be found at www.honda.com.my.
The CR-V (first generation shown above) arrived in Malaysia in the second half of the 1990s and attracted a lot of interest due to its ‘lifestyle’ image. It was easy to drive for a SUV, offered extra carrying space and with the Real-Time AWD system in the drivetrain, it had all-wheel drive for extra grip in slippery conditions. Local assembly began with the second generation at the newly opened Honda Malaysia plant in Melaka. Thereafter, the CR-V has been a major model for Honda in this market, maintaining leadership in its segment for many years. In 2017, it was also the first model in the Malaysian market to have the Honda SENSING driver-assistance system.First Honda model assembled at the newly opened plant in Melaka was the second generation of the CR-V.Since being assembled locally, every generation of the CR-V has been a leader in its segment.
Among the seven Special Edition models that Honda Malaysia has prepared to celebrate passing the 1 million vehicle milestone for locally-assembled vehicles from its plant in Melaka, the Accord is one of the older model lines. In fact, like the Civic, the model has been assembled in Malaysia since the first generation, and it has contributed significantly to enhancing the brand image as well as volume growth over the years.
Just one lucky customer will be the owner of the money-cannot-buy Accord Special Edition offered in the ‘1 Million Dreams’ campaign that is now on. It ends on March 24, 2021 and there are 6 ways which the public can obtain entries for submission to be in the running for one of the seven exclusive models.
Like the other Special Edition models, the Accord Special Edition comes with exclusive features on the exterior – a Dual-Tone finish (with black roof), red highlight line on the black grille, red highlight line on the door mirrors, red highlights on the 18-inch alloy wheels with a black finish and of course, the ‘1 Million Dreams’ emblem.
Inside the executive sedan, the leather upholstered front seats have an embossed ‘1 Million Dreams’ signature as well as a plaque on the dashboard. The steering wheel is also leather-wrapped and has sporty red stitching as well as a red mark at the 12 o’clock position, a visual indicator often found on sportscars to keep the driver aware of where the wheels are pointing.
The Accord Special Edition has the trim and equipment level of the flagship variant, the Accord 1.5 TC-P which has a retail price of around RM188,000. Although earlier generations had larger engines – up to 3.5 litres – today’s Accord uses an a small powerplant which has been developed in line with the industry’s downsizing trends. With Earth Dreams technology and turbocharging, the 4-cylinder DOHC VTEC engine can produce up to 201 ps of power, with 268 Nm of torque coming in from as low as 1,600 rpm. While the top speed is at 190 km/h, fuel consumption can be up to almost 16 kms per litre (factory testing) with a CVT.
Besides having all the features that make it suitable as an executive sedan, the Accord Special Edition also has many safety systems to protect the occupants. Top of the list is Honda SENSING, an integrated suite of active safety systems that help the driver to avoid accidents. In some cases, the systems may act autonomously, activating Automatic Emergency Braking to prevent a collision, if the driver does not take appropriate action in time.
There are also systems that provide monitoring, eg the Driver Attention Monitor which will detect if the driver is drowsy by the way the car is being controlled. There is also a monitor for tyre pressures and the driver will be alerted if there is sudden deflation.
A small camera on the left door mirror provided a real-time view along that side of the car, acting as a blindspot monitor called Honda LaneWatch. The view is displayed on the screen on the dashboard, appearing whenever the left signal is activated. In all lighting condition, the driver will be able to spot other vehicles nearby, avoiding a potential accident.
The Accord Special Edition also comes with a Multi-View Camera System which provides 360-degree coverage. The driver is able to see the ground situation on all sides of the car, a great help when parking in a tight spot.
Each owner of a Special Edition model will also receive this exclusive Honda Leather Pouch.
The lucky winners will be announced at a Grand Finale scheduled to be held by the end of this month.
Visit any authorized Honda dealership nationwide to participate. Locations of dealerships can be found at www.honda.com.my.
The Accord was the second global model to be assembled in Malaysia, initially at Oriental Assemblers in Johor. The first generation, available in hatchback and sedan bodystyles, was assembled from the late 1970s. Like the Civic, the hatchback was eventually discontinued as sales were low. The seventh generation was the first one to be assembled at Honda Malaysia’s own plant in Melaka from 2004. In its time, the Accord has had a leadership position among executive sedans, contributing to Honda’s strong presence in the market.
