The latest 2020 Honda Insight has just been unveiled for the US market where it now comes with updated styling combined with premium driving experience and outstanding fuel efficiency. The new Honda Insight now comes with a new Platinum White Pearl colour option to further elevate its premium-ness. (more…)
Although many carmakers had prototypes running with hybrid powertrains consisting of an electric motor and a small internal combustion engine, Honda was among the first to mass-produce such cars and popularize them. Its first model, launched in 1999, was the Insight, a futuristic-looking 2-seater model that showed how the hybrid powertrain could reduce fuel consumption as well as emissions.
From then on, Honda kept improving its hybrid technology as well as working hard to make hybrid cars more affordable. Moving hybrid powertrains into mainstream models would boost volumes, enabling economies of scale that would push costs down and make hybrid cars cheaper for even more people to buy. Today, after 20 years, that objective has been pretty much achieved and hybrid powertrains are no longer a novelty or add significantly to the cost (although the battery pack is still a high cost).
Civic Hybrid was first model introduced
In Malaysia, due to the high import duties for completely built-up (CBU) models, hybrid models were expensive. The early ones were estimated to cost close to RM200,000, which would be very unattractive for anyone to consider. However, in 2004, Honda Malaysia made a special effort to introduce the technology in Malaysia and managed to get the price down to RM118,888 for the Civic Hybrid after negotiations with the government. The company also donated two units of the model to the Malaysian police force.
8 years later, Honda Malaysia made the decision to assemble a hybrid model locally at its own factory in Melaka. The timing coincided with the government’s offer to exempt hybrids and electric vehicles from import tax and excise duties between 2011 and 2013. Honda Malaysia chose the Jazz Hybrid which became the first locally-assembled hybrid model to be sold in Malaysia when it was launched in 2012.
RM4,900 less than CBU model
The locally-assembled version of the Jazz Hybrid was priced at RM89,900, insurance included, which was RM4,900 less than the CBU model that had been sold a year earlier. Honda Malaysia’s CEO & MD at that time, Yoichiro Ueno, remarked that it was unusual for a hybrid variant to be cheaper than its conventional equivalent and this only occurred in Malaysia due to the tax exemption.
Yesterday, Honda Malaysia delivered its 10,000th locally-assembled hybrid model to a customer in Kuantan, Pahang. It was a white City Hybrid purchased from Macinda Auto Sdn. Bhd by Saddam Hassan Bin Abdul Salim.
Jazz Hybrid accounts for 60% of sales
According to Honda Malaysia, the Jazz Hybrid accounts for about 60% of the 10,000 units on the road, while the City Hybrid accounts for about 34%. The remaining numbers are made up by the HR-V Hybrid, a recent addition to the line-up.
“This year marks the 15th year since Honda introduced Hybrid technology in Malaysia. Starting with the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology to the intelligent Dual-Clutch Drive (i-DCD), Honda continues to focus on introducing Next Generation Advanced Technology innovations to the Malaysian market,” said Honda Malaysia’s President & COO, Sarly Adle Sarkum.
“I am delighted to witness the positive acceptance of Malaysians towards Honda Hybrid vehicles. Our line-up of Hybrid models cater to the different needs and lifestyle of our customers. We are honoured to have reached this 10,000 units of Honda CKD Hybrid sales which is a significant achievement as we have not only offered advanced Japanese technology but also the fun-to-drive element while maintaining its affordability.” he added.
To locate a showroom in Malaysia to view or test-drive a Honda hybrid model, visit www.honda.com.my.
Click here for other PISTON.MY articles about Honda.
Honda Malaysia announced earlier today that they have successfully sold and registered a total of 44,200 cars for the first half of 2019. From January until June this year, it was the month of May which collected the highest number of sales at 10,500 units.
With that being said, Honda Malaysia retains its position as the leading manufacturer in the Non-National segment and second overall in the Total Industry Volume (TIV) with 15.3% contribution. (more…)
Back in the early 1970s, Honda launched a new car model called the Civic and although the company had already been making cars for a while, this new model was remarkable in many ways. It came at a time when the new regulations in the US forced manufacturers to introduce solutions to reduce toxic exhaust emissions – and the innovative CVCC system in the Civic could meet those demands without a even using a catalytic converter.
The Civic’s popularity also grew quickly because consumer preferences were shifting to smaller cars, in part because fuel prices shot up during the energy crises. The Civic’s fuel-efficient engine was just the thing and it also helped to draw more people to Japanese cars.
Almost 50 years later, Honda is about to launch another new model that again addresses environmental issues. This time, it has done away with the internal combustion engine altogether so there will be zero emissions.
Another standard-setter
The new model is the Honda e, to go on sale in Europe later this year. It’s been engineered to set new standards in the compact electric car segment.
The Honda e is equipped with a high-power electric motor delivering up to approximately 100 kW (150 ps) and torque in excess of 300 Nm. The 35.5 kWh battery in the Honda e is one of the most compact in its class, contributing to an exceptional balance of low weight, fast-charging capability of 80% in 30 minutes, and a claimed range of over 200 kms, more than enough for daily urban commuting.
Honda engineers paid special attention to enhancing the driving dynamics to deliver a fun and engaging experience. With the battery located low under the vehicle floor, the car’s centre of gravity is approximately 50 cm from the ground. With a 50:50 weight distribution, wide yet compact size and short overhangs at the front and rear, the Honda e delivers an optimal balance of stability and handling performance.
To help deliver a sporty character, power is delivered through the rear wheels, which also enables a greater steering articulation for the front wheels. As a result, the turning radius is approximately 4.3 metres, giving the car good manoeuvrability in small city streets.
Only one pedal
The Honda e will have Single Pedal Control, enabling the driver to accelerate and slow the car using only the accelerator pedal. When the accelerator pedal is depressed, the car will accelerate as normal; when it is released, automatic regenerative braking will occur, and will slow the car.
The Single Pedal Control improves driving efficiency in urban environments and reduces the need to use multiple pedals, making the drive more engaging, exciting and seamless with maximum control for the driver. Older drivers may probably need a while to get used to this feature.
Having been originally developed to be an electric vehicle, the engineers started with a clean sheet and did not have to use traditional construction methods. High-strength materials used in the skeletal structure contribute to structural rigidity while also reducing weight. The lightweight chassis provides the ideal platform from which to fine tune suspension and steering settings for a dynamic driving experience.
It is unlikely that Honda will offer this model in Malaysia in the near future as the focus is on Europe where it aims to sell a large proportion of EVs and hybrids by 2025.
According to a recent posting in Headlightmag forum, it seems that there might just be another Honda model that will receive the famous ‘Type R’ badge towards the end of this year. That’s right, folks. We might just see the emergence of the 2020 Honda Jazz Type R. (more…)
Honda Malaysia celebrated one heck of a milestone earlier today with 100,000 Honda Jazz units sold here in the country. The 100,000th was successfully delivered to its new owner, Mr Kelvin. The joyous occasion was celebrated at the Ban Lee Heng Motor Sdn. Bhd. (more…)
Looks like the vehicle market in Bintulu, Sarawak is on a rise. It was only recently that Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia opened their second 3S centre there and now, the first Honda 3S Centre has set up shop. Operated by Kemena Auto Sdn Bhd, the new Honda showroom is surely going to cater to the growing demand of Honda car in the central region of Sarawak. (more…)
There are honestly thousands if not millions of Honda Civic Type R fans around the world, but did you ever think that one day, there will be a ‘Rally Version’ to blitz around the unpaved roads? The folks from Ralph Hosier Engineering got there first and built what’s now known as the Honda Civic Type OveRland! (more…)
Honda Malaysia has announced that their latest Honda HR-V RS variant will now come with a new full black interior specially for those who prefer a sportier look and feel. This move was made based on customers’ feedbacks to add more style and sophistication into the HR-V RS mix.
The new black interior will be replacing the outgoing Ivory interior colour which can be seen in the car’s centre console, front panel, driver and passenger seat (front and rear) as well as door panel lining. (more…)
Honda Malaysia is proud to announce that they’ve reach a major milestone in their company for the delivery of the 130,000th Honda Civic to its proud new owner. This is a major mark of success ever since its introduction here in Malaysia back in 2001 (referring to the year Honda Malaysia was established but the Civic has actually been in Malaysia since the 1970s). Currently holding the top spot in the C-segment category, it is by far one of the most popular models available here in Malaysia. (more…)
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