MANILA, Philippines — Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) has unveiled the 4th generation CR-V making the Philippines the first country in ASEAN to launch this model, which is initially imported from Japan until the Thai Honda plant resumes production for the Philippine market.
HCPI President Tatsuya Natsume told reporters at the launch of its Super CR-V that the all new CR-V is expected to spice up its total sales goal this year of 16,600 units matching its 2010 sales level.
Natsume explained they cannot use 2011 as a base year because it was a year where company sales dropped substantially following a shortage in supply due to the earthquake in Japan and the Thai flooding.
CR-V, which comes in two variants 2.4 c.c. automatic and 2.0 c.c. manual, is P100,000 more expensive than the previous model largely because of the 20 percent duty on CBU vehicles imported outside of ASEAN. The automatic 2.4 CR-V is selling at P1.655 while the 2 c.c. manual variant at P1.425 million.
Natsume said they do not have a sales target for CR-V saying this would all depend on the market.
The launch of CR-V followed the launch of the new City last January, the all-new Civic and Jazz Special Edition in February, the all-new CR-V further strengthens Honda’s return to the Philippine automotive market. HCPI has five models in the local market.
First introduced in the Philippines in 1997, the CR-V is among the pioneer models in the compact SUV category. Starting with the 1st generation, each generation of CR-V has provided car-like drivability and ride comfort, while also having excellent interior versatility and utility.
The all-new 4th generation CR-V builds on these qualities while introducing new technology to enhance driving enjoyment and ownership experience. The overall development concept is to have a “Super CR-V” that tops previous generations of CR-V by creating a new synergy through combining the efficiency of a passenger car, the functionality of a mini-van, and the security and confidence of an SUV.
Meantime, Natsume said they have started full commercial operation of its locally assembled City. They have a capacity to produce 900 units a month of City.
Natsume said the City is its flagship vehicle in the country contributing the bulk of its sales.
“We are concentrating our production for City,” he said.
Thus, Natsume said there is no plan to produce the Civic model again in the country.
With only one model being produced locally, HCPI's imported vehicles already account for more than half of its total sales. (BCM)
source: mb.com.ph
