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Honda production back to normal

  • By Mark Hinchliffe
  • The Courier-Mail
  • image

    The CR-Z will hit our showroom floors in November.

Production volumes will return to normal for Honda from next month....

…after the devastating effects of the earthquake in Japan in March.

However, Honda Australia boss Lindsay Smalley says there is no waiting list on any models, but stock supply is short after two months of strong sales.

Smalley attributed the increase in sales, including the tripling of Accord VTi figures, to the recent strategy to improve specification and “adjust” pricing.

The Jazz now features a five-star crash rating, Bluetooth and USB connectivity from $14,990, Accord has Bluetooth, USB connectivity and a fold-away key starting at $32,490 and Accord Euro has cornering lights and a styling change starting from $30,340.

“We’ve tried a lot of things with product value but at the end of the day sticker price is a real driver for our customers,” Smalley says.

Honda also unveiled at the Melbourne Motor Show Australia’s first hybrid model with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The CR-Z will hit our showroom floors in November. Pricing is yet to be announced.

“Insight is the cheapest hybrid in Australia. This won’t be at that level, but it will be highly competitive,” Smalley says.

The CR-Z will come with a choice of continuously variable transmission (4.7L/100km and 111g/km) and six-speed manual (5L/100km, 118g/km) and a five-star Euro NCAP crash rating.

“It will change the way people think of hybrids,” Smalley says.

Comments on this story

Displaying 2 of 2 comments

  • No problem, Honda sell FA cars in Australia anyway

    Jabba The Hutt Posted on 05 July 2011 4:04pm
  • Dear Honda, as much as i love your brand even though you lost your sexiness in the last 10years, i think the biggest issue is value with your car lineup. I know its a premium Japanese brand but the Jazz/Civic is over priced. Example, last year the Jazz cost the same as a Mazda2 did not have full 6 airbags(only the top model cost nearly $24K) and no ESP. Logic dictate that sourcing from Thailand should make it more viable, but did not come into affect until now despite the competions like the Fiesta have them, only by law this year that your cars are equip with it. The Base and Mid spec Civic didn't even have 6 airbags... when the Lancer have 7 within that price bracket. You have lost not just my money but another friend with this decision, plus 3 months wait for a Jazz is excessive.

    Phuong of canberra Posted on 04 July 2011 5:04pm

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