Mr. Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Executive Vice President, Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd. said, “We appreciate all the support and trust that Thai people have shown in Honda. This support has empowered Honda to emerge from the flooding crisis even stronger and continue to create advanced automotive technology and innovations, together with manufacturing quality products and continuing to implement our environmental policy”.
“Today is a special occasion as we demonstrate our renewed commitment to Thailand. Honda has developed a diverse range of automobiles to serve a variety of consumers’ demands and fulfill an even wider range of lifestyle requirements. We will also expand Honda’s market base to customers who are looking for higher-end vehicles. Based on the theme of a ‘Combination of Joys,’ the 2012 Motor Show marks a distinctive occasion for Honda as we are introducing more new models than ever before,” added Mr. Pitak.
The all-new Honda Civic will make its first public appearance in Thailand at the 2012 Motor Show. Under the “Ultimate Expressive Sedan” concept that reflects modern lifestyles, the innovative new Civic is Honda’s first E85 vehicle, with a choice of i-VTEC 1.8 or 2.0 litre engines. The official market launch for the new Civic is scheduled for early May. Five variants will be available with the price range similar to current models or an increase in some variants but not over 20,000 baht.
The 2012 Motor Show will also feature accessorized Honda Brio. Inspired with Honda’s design DNA, the prototypes of the accessorized eco car will be available in two sporty styles: one with a Day Life concept, reflecting the vibrant design in a Solar Orange Metallic color, while the second is based on a Night Life concept that conveys the advanced power of creativity. This eco-car is stylish with a sporty design and driving performance. Under the ‘Small is Smart’ concept, the Honda Brio is an ideal choice for consumers who prefer a small yet striking car with a sporty exterior that can be accessorized to reflect the owner’s personality.
To widen its product range to cover the demands of more market segments, Honda is also introducing three new CBU vehicles from Japan. Odyssey and STEP WGN SPADA will excite the market for luxury Multi-Utility Vehicles (MUVs), while the CR-Z is positioned as an unrivalled sport-hybrid car for everyday use.
The Honda Odyssey is a luxury MUV with style and excellence that offers superior driving comfort just like a sedan. Its advanced features include a black chrome front grille and Halogen headlights as well as a larger bumper. The side body lining all the way to the tail lights gives the Odyssey outstanding character with style. The wide body offers absolute comfort with plenty of interior space. Inside, the cabin features wood-grain panels on the dashboard and front & rear doors, beige cloth seat covers, a multi-seat configuration with electrically-operated third row seats that fold completely flat for extra storage space, a dual zone air-conditioning system with rear cooler, illuminating meter that provide a modern touch, a navigation system, DVD player, and a rear camera. The Odyssey packs a 2.4 litre DOHC i-VTEC engine that delivers 180 horsepower with low emissions under the EURO4 standard, unmatched fuel efficiency in ECON mode, a 5-speed automatic transmission, electric power steering, and cruise control. World-class safety technology includes six airbag systems, with dual i-SRS airbags and i-SRS side and side curtain airbags. These sophisticated features ensure ultimate safety in every seat throughout the journey.
The Odyssey 2.4L JP model is available in Thai market for a price of 2,557,000 baht in three colors: Premium White (Pearl), Polished Metal (Metallic), and Crystal Black (Pearl).
The Honda STEP WGN SPADA is the MUV that makes your journey a pleasure. It is a unique minivan with a luxury, sporty touch. The exterior is perfectly designed in harmony from sculpted front grill, front bumper and large-sized headlights, to the sleek look of the LED tail lights and tailgate spoiler. The spacious interior has comfortable black-cloth passenger seats. The seat configuration is adjustable for different storage purposes. The third-row seats can be stored flat under the floor and the second row has 60:40-split tumble seats. There are automatic slide-doors on both the left and right sides to offer greater freedom for passengers. Other attributes include an automatic air-conditioning system with a rear cooler, DVD player, a navigation system, rear camera, Honda Smart Key System and ECON mode for fuel efficiency. The STEP WGN SPADA is powered by a SOHC 4-cyclinder 16 valve i-VTEC 2.0 litre that delivers 150 horsepower, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with Paddle Shift . Safety features include Dual SRS, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and Hill Start Assist.Priced at 2,174,000 baht, buyers in the Thai market will be able to enjoy the STEP WGN SPADA 2.0L JP in three colors: Premium White (Pearl), Cobalt Blue (Metallic), and Premium Blackish (Pearl).
The Honda CR-Z, conceived as a smart driving innovation with fantastic fuel efficiency and an environmentally-responsible powertrain, is a super sporty hybrid coupe that responds to fun and enjoyable driving performance every day. The eye-catching exterior, in line with advanced racing design, complements with the body lining from front to tail, expressing strength and power, as does the fin-shaped antenna. The smart interior results in efficient space utilization. The sporty driving seats provide comfortable support for the body, one-touch folding rear seats increase cargo space, and the front panel multi-information display and switches are well-located for driver comfort and features futuristic 3D gauges for better visibility. The special 3-Mode Drive System can be tailored to driving needs: blue for normal driving, red for sporty driving, and green for eco driving. The CR-Z comes with an intelligent SOHC 4 cylinder, 16 valve i-VTEC 1.5 litre engine, a compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system that supports driving performance and fuel economy, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with Paddle Shift, cruise control, and an electric power steering system (EPS). Safety features include aDual SRS and i-side airbag system, reliable ABS braking system and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA).
The CR-Z hybrid 1.5L JP model is now available in three colors: premium white pearl, crystal black pearl, and storm silver metallic for a price of 1,975,000 baht.
Together with this series of new products, Honda is displaying 10 models at the Motor Show including Brio, Jazz, City, Accord, CR-V and Freed. Honda is also offering a special promotion for three models: free comprehensive insurance for the CR-V, 0% interest and free comprehensive insurance for the Freed E Limited, and a special 1.79% interest rate for the Brio. Customers can get more details at the Honda Booth at the 2012 Motor Show or at Honda dealers nationwide.
“I would like to thank all of our customers in Thailand for their contribution to the strong business growth that we can see today. I can confirm Honda’s commitment to growing together with Thai society in response to the trust that our customers have always had in Honda and our products over many years. We believe Honda remains a company that society wants to exist and is a most-admired brand,” concluded Mr. Pitak.
About Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd. manufactures, sells and distributes Honda cars in Thailand. The company is Honda’s major manufacturing base in Asia and Oceania, with an annual production capacity of 240,000 units per year. Currently, its plant in Ayutthaya produces six Honda automobile models, which are the Brio, Jazz, City, Civic, Accord and CR-V, for the domestic market and export to over 30 countries worldwide.