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The Honda Jazz light car is the latest vehicle to face the financial scalpel.
There's on the features list and less on the price tag.
The most dramatic price cuts in Honda history have boosted the value for anyone shopping the brand in Australia.
Prices have been trimmed by up to 12 per cent over the past six months in a slash-and-burn campaign intended to reverse a dramatic 25 per cent fall in sales. Local sales have been hit hard by the March tsunami in Japan and the Thai floods that inundated its factory late last year.
The Thai plant was responsible for producing around 80 per cent of the Hondas sold here and the Australian arm has been forced to react by cutting prices and adding features to boost buyer demand and market share.
Company spokesman Lindsay Smalley says the value-for-money strategy is the core of the company's regrowth. "Honda Australia's goal is to rapidly return our sales and market share to our traditional levels, then grow our business into this decade," he says.
"We announced significant price adjustments and specification improvements across a range of models in 2011 and this year, will launch a number of new models. We strive to ensure we deliver the best value for money to Australians in a highly competitive market."
The Honda Jazz light car is the latest vehicle to face the financial scalpel. Despite being imported from Japan where the high yen is causing problems for all car companies, the Jazz Vibe range starts at $17,990 driveaway for the 1.3-litre manual. Six months ago, the same car - with fewer features - had a list price of $16,990.
It's the same story for the range-topping 1.5-litre Vibe S automatic. The driveaway price is $22,290, just $400 less than its price, before onroads, midway through 2011.
The Jazz Vibe is based on a New Zealand-spec vehicle that was already being built at the Suzuka plant in Japan, which has minimised the time taken to certify the vehicle for Australia.
Honda Australia director and sales and marketing general manager, Stephen Collins, says the Jazz Vibe is part of the carmaker's recovery plan to combat limited stock from the Thai plant, which is not expected to be fully operating until April.
"Honda is pleased to offer the growing number of Australian small car drivers the Jazz Vibe, delivering substantial upgrades in features and overall value. Customers can visit their Honda dealer now to order a Jazz Vibe for delivery in February, Collins says.
The CR-V softroader and Accord Euro have already been put through the financial wringer and Honda is also counting on the arrival of new models later this year to entice more customers into showrooms..
Honda CR-V
Price now: $28,090
June 2011 $30,990
Honda CR-V Luxury
Price now: $39,390
June 2011: $42,790
Honda Accord Euro
Price now: $30,340
June 2011: $31,490
Honda Accord Euro Luxury
Price now: $37,840
June 2011: $41,290
Honda Legend
Price now: $76,990
June 2011: $79,990
