Launch date of CR-Z MMC for ASEAN

With the recent launch of the MMC for the CR-Z, especially a more powerful 135-136ps engine, the most asked question now will have to be when it will make its debut here in Asia. My current understanding is that this MMC CR-Z will start showing up early next year, i.e. around the 1st quarter of 2013. Honda has already announced an 'around February' date for Indonesia and the rest of ASEAN date should be around that time as well.

Honda to collaborate with Proton in Malaysia

In a news that quite shocked long time Honda fans, Proton announced today that they have signed a partnership with Honda to jointly develop cars for the Malaysian market. Leaving aside the general sentiments, what I believe is happening is that both parties saw in each other the means to achieve their own objectives. 

Firstly, in his mid-year speech last month, Honda CEO Ito-san has announced that Honda plans to focus on the mini-car Brio for this region, developing multiple variants off it. The Brio sedan has already been sneaking out in the Honda Thailand website. Next to come is supposedly an SUV based on the Brio. However, having been eye-ing the Malaysian mini-car market for a long time now, Honda is well aware that policies from the relevant authorities are not conducive to any non-Malaysian manufacturers trying to enter into this lucrative market. The annual sales of mini-car in Malaysia is several hundred thousand and for foreign manufacturers like Honda, whose annual sales of 50,000 units is already considered an 'incredible achievement', the mini-car segment is attractive indeed, especially given Honda's recent heavy focus on just sales numbers. 

Honda's arch competitor Toyota on the other hand had already entered in a collaboration with the other big Malaysian manufacturer Perodua many years ago. The result was the introduction of the superbly successful Passo model rebadged as a Perodua Myvi. Honda surely have noticed this and must have learned a trick or two from the master of marketing. 

Enters Proton. It is a known secret that Proton has been dying to get a slice of the mini-car market. Their previous venture, the Proton Savvy was, to be polite, a lacklustre model. Launched at the same time as the Myvi, it was selling in the tens to Perodua Myvi's thousands. Even today the Savvy was not a very common sight on Malaysian roads. So, Proton most definitely have been looking at ways to eat into Perodua's Myvi market.

So it is highly likely that the main product of this Honda-Proton collaboration will be the introduction of the Honda Brio into the Malaysia market but re-badged as a Proton and with some minor comestic changes and some reduction of contents. Only time will tell if this is a correct guess.

New Honda Brio sedan

Honda has put up a teaser page for a 'new sedan' in their HAT, Honda Automobile Thailand, website. This new sedan is recognizable as being based on the new mini-car 'Brio'. 

The only info so far for this new sedan is that it will be using a 1.2l engine, probably based on the LSeries. To watch the teaser video click the following link http://www.honda.co.th/new-sedan/. 

This follows the mid-year speech from Honda CEO Ito-san about the Brio's future here in Asia:

In Asia, in order to compete in and win in highly-competitive low-price markets and fulfill the diverse needs of customers, in addition to the all-new Fit Series, Honda will add sedan-type and utility-type models utilizing the platform of the BRIO, Honda's strategic model for Asia.

New Gen2 NSX to debut at the 2014 NAIAS ?

The U.K. publication has published yet another 'scoop', this time about the new Gen2 NSX that is scheduled to be launched in 3 years time. 

According to Auto-Express, during their attendance and coverage of the recent  Sao Paulo (Brazil) Motor Show, they were told that the new NSX will debut in a few months time in January 2013 at the Detroit Motor Show (also called the North American International Auto Show or NAIAS). According to their short article on their website at http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/honda/60901/honda-nsx-detroit:

A top exec for Honda Brazil told us at the Sao Paulo Motor Show, that the ‘real’ NSX will be shown in Detroit after the show car has finished its duties here in Sao Paulo and then at the Tokyo show in November. Our source also revealed that the styling will remain ‘identical’ to the model you can see here on the show stand.

The 'show-car' mentioned is the concept car that Honda has already shown. So the claim is that in this year's November Tokyo Motor Show, the same concept car will be shown and then in the NAIAS in January next year, the actual car will be shown. 

When TOV/TOVA readers read this news, some were understandably sceptical. Despite the claim of a 'top exec (but from Honda of Brazil) telling us this news, it is in direct conflict to Ito-san's announcement that the new Gen2 NSX will only debut in three year's time, making it a 2015 car. Based on traditional U.S. launching time-lines, this means that the earliest the car will be shown is on 2014 which is quite far from January 2013...

Subsequently, one TOV forumer who we believe to have connections inside Honda (we have a few actually) post the following, which seems to shed the proper light and clear up the contradictions.

Also the NSX info release from Sao Paulo
but the reporter got the message lost in translation!
It was said:After the Tokyo Auto Show the Production
NSX will be shown at Detroit.
OK..... there is no Tokyo show there year,it is every other year! So after next years Tokyo show the Production NSX
will be shown at Detroit(Jan 2014).

Yes, it is true that the last Tokyo Motor Show was last year (2011). TMS is held bi-annually, alternating with the Tokyo Auto Salon which is held on the year after a TMS (and where there will be no TMS). So the next TMS will be on 2013, i.e. next year. This is confirmed. Based on this clarification then, the NSX will debut in January 2014's NAIAS and not next year's NAIAS. This also correlates well with an actual launch date of end 2014 which is the correct launch timing for  2015 cars in the U.S. Note that the photo used here is our own and is the concept NSX from this year's NAIAS.

USDM 'revised' 9Gen Civic out on Nov 29th !!!

TOV has learned that the 'revised' or shall we say 'early MMC' for the 9Gen Civic for the U.S. market is scheduled to be released on the 29th of  next month (November). Word is there will be no mechanical or specification changes to the car but there will be significant changes or what is described/hoped to be improvements to the exterior and interior. There is even speculation that some of the exterior change, e.g. the rear taillight assembly will become like that of our, ASEAN/Asian Civic (the USDM Civic does not have the taillight extensions into the trunk/boot cover). For a little bit more details, go to our TOV news and rumours article at http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=1105544.

High-Res Photos of WTCC Civic

We offer you two high resolution photos of the new WTCC 1.6l Turbocharged Honda Civic. They are provided by Honda of Europe's media service. These photos are in their original sizes and only differs in the small TOVA watermark added.

Civic WTCC finishes its first race

Civic WTCC finishes Races 1 and 2 in 9th and 10th respectively

in its first appearance

Today, Rounds 19 and 20 of the WTCC took place under a clear sky at Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture, Japan.

Race 1:

Race 1 got underway at 2:30pm and was competed over 26 laps on the East Course of Suzuka Circuit. Tiago Monteiro started the race in his Honda Civic WTCC from 11th. After a rolling start, Tiago kept his position at the beginning of the race. Throughout there were close fights with the cars in front and behind, but the Civic WTCC driver maintained his place and when a front-runner went off the track on Lap 22, he climbed to tenth - the position he kept until he was shown the chequered flag. After the finish of the race, the Civic WTCC was promoted to ninth in the final classification due to a penalty given to another car.

Race 2:

In Race 2, the first 10 cars in qualifying were placed in reverse order on the starting grid. After a standing start from 11th, Tiago maintained his position at the early stage of the race and later started fighting closely with a BMW in front. After a long battle over 10 laps, he finally overtook his rival on the first corner on Lap 23 to move up to 10th before finishing the 26-lap race.

Rounds 21 and 22 of the WTCC in China will be held on Shanghai International Circuit on 3 and 4 November.

Driver Tiago Monteiro: "We are very happy and excited that we got our first points. Only a few weeks ago, we said we it would be great if we could break into the top 10, and that's where we are, so I'm satisfied. The car felt quite good, a lot better than in qualifying. But we are still learning about the car, and every time we try to find a better setup and balance in the car, so especially in Race 2, the car was very good. It was very important for us to finish the races in decent conditions as a first step and we will keep working hard in Shanghai and Macao to lean more."

Honda Racing Team  JAS　Team Principal, Alessandro Mariani: "I am very pleased because we were able to show our speed in the actual races. Our lap times were very good and consistent. Unfortunately, it was difficult to overtake on the short Suzuka circuit and the result of yesterday's qualifying affected our final outcome. However, finishing in the top ten in the two races - and not that far from the winning cars - is a good result. I would like to thank the engineers at Honda who created the excellent new engine and our team members who have worked hard, night and day, to achieve this result - a great effort that has really paid off."

Chief Engineer for Civic WTCC Development, Daisuke Horiuchi: "I am pleased that we completed both Races 1 and 2 in our debut round. The car, including the engine, performed well and didn't have any major problems. However, there's so much more for us to work on and improve. Although we've not had long to prepare, we were able to make it in time for Suzuka. So, I think we have achieved a satisfactory level for now. We will continue working hard to complete the car for the next rounds in China, and we really appreciate everyone's support."

Sunday, 21 October 2012

Suzuka Circuit East Course (2,243m)　　

Weather: sunny 

Temperature: 24.2℃

Track condition: dry　　

Attendance:16,500

Warm-up session                                54.470 (11th fastest)

Race 1

1  Alain Menu                          Chevrolet Cruze　　　26 laps　                    23:44.880

2  Yvan Muller                         Chevrolet Cruze　　  26 laps　                    23:45.692

3  Robert Huff                         Chevrolet Cruze　    26 laps　                    23:46.299

4  Gabriele Tarquini　　               SEAT Leon　　　　      26 laps　                    23:58.708

5  Alex MacDowall                    Chevrolet Cruze　　  26 laps　                    23:59.153

6  Tom Coronel                        BMW 320               26 laps　                   24:04.750

9  Tiago Monteiro                       Honda Civic WTCC  26 laps                     24:06.164

Race 2

1  Stefano D'aste                     BMW320  　　          26 laps                    23:54.717

2  Pepe Oriola　　                      SEAT Leon　　　 　    26 laps　                   23:57.279

3  Gabriele Tarquini　　               SEAT Leon　　　　　    26 laps　　                 23:57.562

4  Robert Huff                         Chevrolet Cruze　    26 laps　                   23:58.491

5  Alain Menu                          Chevrolet Cruze　    26 laps　　                 23:58.937

6  Yvan Muller                         Chevrolet Cruze　　  26 laps　                   23:59.285

10 Tiago Monteiro                      Honda Civic WTCC  26 laps 　                  24:05.330

Follow Honda Racing WTCC on Twitter and Facebook:

twitter.com/hondaracingwtcc

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HONDA MALAYSIA UNVEILS THE CR-V “LIMITED”

HONDA MALAYSIA UNVEILS THE CR-V “LIMITED”

Petaling Jaya, 18 October 2012 – Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. today unveiled the Honda CR-V “Limited” that sports an enhanced rugged exterior and a classy interior that aims to provide enhanced premium comfort to passengers. Having won numerous awards, the popular Honda CR-V retains its desired features of practicality, spaciousness, attractive design and fuel economy.

The CR-V “Limited” is another Completely Knock-Down (CKD) vehicle from Honda Malaysia. The CR-V, which means “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle”, carries the concept of a carefree, reliable and comfortable mobility anytime, anywhere. It offers a premium feel and sedan-like driving in a SUV for everyday enjoyment.

Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yoichiro Ueno said, “Since its introduction, the CR-V has remained popular among Malaysians for its practicality, stylishness and comfort. The CR-V is an ideal fit for professionals with an active and urban lifestyle who appreciate a premium and fuel efficient SUV. The CR-V “Limited” comes with a new Modulo front grille, tailgate spoiler, illuminated side steps, leather seats and built-in touch screen navigator with rear view camera.”

The CR-V “Limited” continues to provide owners the joy of buying and driving with its well-balanced performance, fuel efficiency and driving comfort courtesy of its 2.0L i-VTEC powertrain that is coupled with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Further driving comfort is accorded by the steering wheel that can be adjusted both on its tilt and telescope range to fit the driver’s requirements. Adding to this unrivalled driving experience is the high viewpoint of the CR-V that gives the driver a clear and sweeping view of the road ahead, providing drivers with vantage point when manoeuvering.

The practical and spacious cabin of the CR-V remains extremely versatile with its 40:20:40 split rear seats that provide multiple configurations, extending cargo space to fit various dimensions load. The well-liked Double Deck load shelf in the cargo area allows items to be organized conveniently.

Safety features in the CR-V “Limited” have been further enhanced for protection of the driver and passengers alike. The CR-V “Limited” is pre-installed with premium security solar film tint to protect the windscreens from shattering in the event of a breakage. In addition to the dual SRS airbags, the CR-V “Limited” also has side airbags with Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) to detect the height and size of its occupant raises the bar in interior safety. In the event of a collision, the G-Force Control Technology (G-CON) helps disperse the crash impact across the body frame. The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electrical Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA) work together to give the CR-V stability and safety when braking. When driving in slippery road conditions, the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) gives the driver better control with more stability for a safer drive and prevents skidding.

“We believe that the CR-V “Limited” is a refreshing package and will be well accepted for its uniqueness and quality. With this latest introduction, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all Honda’s customers for their continuous support and confidence in our products and services. We will continue to uphold customer satisfaction as our main priority,” said Mr. Ueno.

The CR-V “Limited” is available at all Honda showrooms in five stylish colours of Urban Titanium, Alabaster Silver, Polished Metal, Crystal Black and Taffeta White.

The practical, stylish and comfortable CR-V “Limited” comes with an on-the-road price tag of RM153,980.00 and can be booked  at any authorized Honda dealers nationwide. For more information, please call Honda Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020, or log on to www.honda.com.my.

Visit us at Facebook

We have been on facebook for a couple of months now. Please visit us at https://www.facebook.com/TOVAsia. Support TOVA by liking our facebook page.

Excerpts from internal Honda townhall meeting

Someone provided some excerpts from an internal Honda 'townhall' meeting that he attended. The meeting was chaired by Iwamura-san. Items of interest includes a statement on the debut of the early MMC for the 9Gen Civic, launch of a new Acura RLX (Legend for rest of the world) next month at the Los Angeles Motor Show and finally the confirmation of a new variant of the Honda Fit/Jazz for a market which Honda 'never competed in before', to be launched soon. Read the excerpts after the jump.

Over the past few years, we have faced our share of challenges including difficult economic conditions and a major loss of production due to two natural disasters. But thanks to your efforts, we have achieved a speedy recovery. Now, with a continued focus on our relationship with the customer we are ready to move from "battle back" to "counterattack."

Leading the way, is the all-new Honda Accord. The reaction of the news media has been great. This week, we won the Car and Driver magazine comparison test against all the competition. I can't make any announcements today, but we are optimistic that Accord will make the 10Best list for the 27th time this year. Our dealers are excited. And in the first two weeks of sales, it looks like our customers agree that Accord is the best mid-size car in America. But we aren't stopping with the new Accord.

Later this fall, we will bring out a significant minor model change of Civic. Civic is already the best-selling compact car in America. With the exterior and interior styling changes we have made, we will take Civic from "best-selling" to simply the "best." We also will introduce a minor model change of the Crosstour, with many of the same new technologies that make the new Accord so good.

For the Acura brand we have already introduced two all-new models this year in the RDX and ILX. Plus, the NSX Concept that will arrive in about two years. Next month, we will add some more excitement at the LA Auto Show, when we introduce the 2014 Acura RLX. It is important for the Acura brand to have a true flagship sedan. With a luxurious cabin and new technologies that deliver advanced performance and fuel economy the new RLX will help define the Acura brand. 

...

Our strong momentum includes the solid foundation of our production and product development operations in North America. This will be a key factor in helping us combat the impact of economic factors like the strong yen. In just two years, our auto production capacity in North America will grow from 1.63 million units to 1.92 million units. This includes the new plant under construction in Mexico that will produce Fit and other sub-compact vehicles. As we announced for the first time two weeks ago, the Fit series will include an all-new derivative model, a sub-compact vehicle in a new segment where we do not currently compete.

We also announced a new hybrid strategy to include one-, two-, and three-motor hybrid systems as part of our new Earth Dreams technologies that will help us achieve industry-leading fuel economy.

In the area of product development, Honda will pursue a new "concurrent" development concept that will make our U.S. R&D operations even more important in our global plans. As one example, as part of a global team, Honda R&D Americas will lead development of the next generation Civic for the North American market.

Honda Jazz Hybrid reviews starting in TOVA

We have started to post our reviews on the Honda Jazz (Fit) IMA Hybrid at TOVA (http://asia.vtec.net). 

The first review in our series is the test drive. 

Next up would be the Genting Run, 0-60mph & 0-100kph acceleration test results, dyno run results and finally we will close by posting some of the videos we took during our review. 

Check back often and do tell us what you think.

Honda future sports car model plans

In our TOV/TOVA forums, one forumer talked about the current state of sporty models development by Honda. According to him, Honda stopped all Sports car designs and development in Dec 2008. It wasn't re-started until 2011 which is why we will not see any new sports cars until 2014 (in the form of the new Honda Beat). 

During those three 'dark' years (2008 - 2010) only unofficial side projects which Honda R&D engineers dabbled in on their own time was the mid-engine NSX and Beat.

There is a further suggestion that Honda have been testing an Euro Gen9 Civic type R for a while but the chassis(torsen suspension) couldn't meet performance goals due to the use of torsion beam suspension in the rear. Thus Honda now knows a half ass Civic Type-R will not work...the people won't buy it (this has what long time hardcore Honda fanatics have been telling Honda for the past few years of course). So they have to wait for the Gen10 civic (and start all over again).

The summary of sports cars that Honda is supposed to be working on at the moment, all in the research stage, are as below:

2015 NSX $ 150,000 range

2016 Baby NSX $ 75,000 range
In 2008 Honda was working on a baby GT HSV V6 Rwd Coupe and roadster.
The design team is working on it again.

2015 CTR 1.6L I4 TURBO 280hp
for Europe

2016 American CTR(Prelude)
Using Euro drivetrain with 4ws
most likely coupe

2016 Japan CTR(CR-Z) 

Note that other than the new Beat which is supposed to come out in 2014, the earliest that a hardcore sports model is scheduled to be launched is 2015. This means that for next year (2013), the only sporty car in Honda's lineup will continue to be the CR-Z, albeit now in MMC form and with a 12hp boost in power.

New Civic Type-R to have 280hp and challenges the Renault Megane RS

The U.K. website 'autoblog.com' has published a 'scoop' derived from their conversation with the Honda U.K. M.D. Dave Hodgetts about the forthcoming new Civic Type-R. Autoblog.com quotes Hodgetts as saying amongst other thing:

"The new Civic Type R will be a total reflection of the fact it used to be an icon and will have really, really high performance,"

"There is an understanding at Honda that the last one wasn't up to the level expected. We really need an iconic halo car and the new one will be the genuine article."

Autoblog.com quotes Hodgetts as saying the new Civic Type R will hark back to the success of the Integra Type R models with high performance at its heart.

"Power output will be around 280bhp – it's a proper car,"

 and most interestingly,

"Honda want it to be the fastest front-wheel drive car around the Nurburgring so it will be up against the Megane RS. That's a challenge, but it will be a genuine sports product harking back to the good old days."

Looks to be interesting times three or even two years into the future as the new Civic Type-R starts testing in the Nurburgring and Honda fans can see if Honda will be able to back up this claim. 

the link to the autoblog.com 'scoop' is http://uk.autoblog.com/2012/10/02/exclusive-uk-built-civic-type-r-will-be-an-icon/

Tenaga Setia Resource, Honda's 4S dealer shifts to new premises

TENAGA SETIA RESOURCES SDN. BHD. INVESTS RM28.5 MILLION TO RELOCATE AND UPGRADE HONDA DEALERSHIP TO 4S CENTRE

Tenaga Setia has been a Honda 3S center for many years and was located along Jalan 222 Petaling Jaya. After investing RM28.5 million building a new premise, they shifted over last Friday (Sept 28th) and at the same time, also upgraded themselves into a 4S centre. The new premise is now located at section 51 which in actually just a short distance (less than 1km) from the original site. This new premise is a newly constructed building located on a prime piece of land which belongs to Tenaga Setia themselves.



A Honda '4S' centre add the ability of 'body knock and spray painting' - i.e. repair of cars that had been involved in an accident. This is Honda's latest move to enable a complete 'one-stop' centre for its customers, right from pre-sales to complete after-sales. It is an essential component of Honda Malaysia’s policy of prioritising customer satisfaction while creating an enjoyable ownership experience for customers. Honda believes that a life-long relationship with the customer is forged when a purchase is made. 

“The upgraded and expanded Honda 4S centre is truly a one-stop centre. Our aim is to provide quality services and products to our customers. We also want to ensure that our customers are happy, comfortable and satisfied when they visit our centre every time. The new building now has a bigger area for operations and customers parking. With this new 115,853 square feet 4S Centre, our customers can look forward to an improved Honda experience,” said Mr. Yeap Swee Chuan, Managing Director of Tenaga Setia Resources Sdn. Bhd.

Some interesting facts of the 'new' Tenaga Setia is the service floor which can service up to 26 cars concurrently. There is also a multi-storey car-park which is crucial as parking around the new building is very congested with the risk of getting a summon if one is to park at the side of the road. For those who have to leave their car overnight, Tenaga Setia also says they have one 'courtesy car' which they can loan to the customer, with provisions for getting more according to a case by case basis. 

The waiting area includes a kid's play area, to help keep the little ones pre-occupied in the event they need to be brought along to wait for service to be completed. In line with the offering of body-knock and paint services, there are also three insurance claim counters in the service reception area.

The opening was also spiced up with the involvement of the local CR-Z owners group which had a 'gathering' of several of their cars in the service center.


The official opening ceremony was attended by Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yoichiro Ueno who was the guest-of-honour, and also from many working partners and long-time customers of Tenaga Setia Resources Sdn. Bhd. In his congratulatory speech, Mr. Ueno said, “The upgrade, expansion and relocation of Tenaga Setia Resources to this new, spacious and strategic location shows their dedication to constantly improve in order to better serve their customers in the Klang Valley. I commend Tenaga Setia Resources for the efforts that have been put to improve the facilities and to incorporate a body and paint centre. On behalf of Honda Malaysia, I would like to thank Tenaga Setia Resources for their commitment towards Honda.”

Since its establishment, Honda Malaysia has been working closely with its dealers to improve their services by acquiring a 3S or 4S status that provides a total package of service and convenience to customers nationwide. To date, there are a total of 61 Honda Dealers around Malaysia, 56 of which operate as Honda 3S Centres while 5 of them have been upgraded to 4S Centres.

For appointment and operating hours, customers can contact Tenaga Setia Resources at 03–7784 8211 (Sales), 03-7784 8311 (Service) and 03-7784 8511 (Body and Painting) or log on to www.honda.com.my for more information.