Honda’s Rule-Changing City Gleams with Record-Breaking Sales

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. seals another sales record with the City. Marking its first year anniversary in the market, the third generation City changes the rules on how subcompacts should be like and manages to post a total of 8,882 unit sales in 2009. This is the City’s highest annual sales ever chronicled since the model was introduced in the local market back in 1996. The highest recorded sales then were 5,478 units which was posted in 1997. This only evidences greater customer appreciation of Honda’s latest subcompact sedan.

In celebration of this remarkable feat, Honda brings the City to yet another level of refinement as it introduces a new exciting color to its line-up. Hailed as the time’s new black, the City now comes in Taffeta white for its top of the line variant, City 1.5 E. Exuding youthful, refreshing, sporty and stylish appeal, Taffeta White City spices up an already sensational package that has created new standards in its class. Read more

Honda Philippines Adjusts City and Jazz Prices

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. announces plans to adjust the suggested retail prices of its mighty subcompacts, the Honda City and Jazz models. Effective October 1, 2009, all City and Jazz models will have minimal increase in price amounting to P5,000 and P10,000, respectively. The 1.3-liter A City variant with manual transmission will be priced at P681,000 while the 1.3-liter S Jazz variant with manual transmission will be priced at P732,000.

The announcement ends the introductory prices of the City in January 2009, when the 3rd generation model was officially launched in the local market.

The entry of the 3rd generation City and 2nd generation Jazz in the market reinforced Honda’s claim on the passenger car segment. This year’s combined City and Jazz sales from January to August more than doubled as compared to the same period in 2008. Such favorable market acceptance enabled Honda to increase its total passenger car sales by 35%. Read more

Honda Unleases Mighty 1.3s

Meet the new breed of 1.3s. Listen to them roar. Watch them slice through the air. Marvel at their gadgetry and advanced technology. The entry-level car market is changing. And change is riding on Honda’s Jazz and City.

The Jazz and the City elevate the 1.3 class to a new level. Regarded for so long as practical cars with basic features, 1.3s do not warrant the envious second-looks accorded to bigger cars. They are small and terrible to drive. But not the Jazz and the City. They prove that style and power can come in small packages. They are equipped with features that were once reserved for higher displacement models. And their styling can also make you stop on your tracks.

Packed with power and safety features, the Jazz and the City are more than just means of getting from A to B. Their new and responsive i-VTEC engines can deliver a respectable 100ps @ 6000 rpm and yet remain highly fuel-efficient. The Jazz’s aerodynamic shape and the City’s new arrowshot body design also contribute to their respective speed and fuel-efficiency. This just goes to show that you can be practical without necessarily sacrificing style and driving performance. Read more

Honda City Posts 71.5% Sales Growth for First Half of 2009

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. announced 71.5% sales growth for its Honda City during the first half of year 2009. According to the report released by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI), total City sales from January to June reached 4,393 units, a significant increase from last year’s sales of 2,561 units. Out of the total 8,683 units Honda sold for the year, 51% are City models.

With City sales averaging to 3,400 units per year, the 4,000 unit sales mark just for the first half of this year indicated a new milestone for the City.

Essential in attaining such feat was the entry of the 3rd generation City in January. With cutting-edge styling and technologies, the City has indeed reshaped the industry standards for its class. It simply changes the rules on how subcompacts should be like. Read more

Honda Showers Exclusive Promo Packages this June

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. showers delightful and easy-to-own packages this rainy season.  Available until June 30, 2009, this exclusive mid-year promo allows buyers to drive home Civic, Accord and CR-V models through flexible financing schemes, discounts and accessories package options.

The multi-awarded Civic with 2008 year model is available with as much as Php 35,000 worth of savings for cash buyers.  Meanwhile, financing buyers can apply the Php 35,000 special promo offering on the interest rates to make monthly payments more affordable.  With 50% downpayment, monthly amortization becomes as reasonable as Php 8,786.

Honda CR-V 2.4 buyers are also in for a special treat.  CR-V buyers not only get to enjoy the pleasure of sophisticated styling and sedan-like riding comfort but also benefit easy-on-the-budget deals.  The CR-V 2.4 variant with 2008 year model comes with as much as Php 60,000 worth of savings for cash buyers or can be applied on the interest rates for financing buyers.  Monthly amortization is estimated to go as low as Php 15,663 with 50% downpayment. Read more

Honda City and Civic Sales Seal Honda’s 1Q Passenger Car Leadership

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) dominated the passenger car (PC) segment during the first quarter of the year with 3,869 unit sales. This was 33% higher than the 2,920 units it sold in the same period last year. With the entry of the 3rd generation City in January, Honda was able to secure its claim in the PC market for three consecutive months. Data released by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) showed that Honda captured 38% share of the PC market during the first quarter.

Out of Honda’s 3,869 year-to-date PC sales, 58% were composed of City sales, 24% Civic, 15% Jazz and 3% Accord.

Designed to change the rules on how subcompacts should be like, the City raked considerable following in the market today. The new City brings out the most spirited driving performance in its class with a maximum power output of 120 ps maximum for its 1.5 variant. The entry of the 3rd generation City completes Honda’s all i-VTEC line-up that promises optimum power yet fuel efficient performance. To further enhance fuel efficiency, it comes with a class-leading 5-speed automatic transmission to reduce engine revolution and stress. The City also ups the ante when it comes to safety. It inspires confidence in all-around protection with its dual SRS airbags (except for City 1.3A MT), Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Brake-force distribution with Brake Assist features. Read more

Honda Projects 10% Sales Growth with Launch of All-New City Models

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. forecasts over 10 percent increase in sales this year from a negative 17 percent growth last year as it invests P140 million for the local assembly of its all-new City models, which are expected to drive the company back to a growth path despite the turmoil in the global auto market.

HCPI president Hiroshi Shimizu told reporters at yesterday’s launch of the locally assembled City 2009 the global crisis that is harshly affecting the auto market abroad is not seriously affecting Philippine auto operations.

“There is no big impact in the Philippines compared with other countries,” Shimizu said. Read more

2009 Honda City Rolls Off Production in RP

The much-anticipated 2009 Honda City recently rolled off the assembly line at the manufacturing plant of Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

The third-generation Honda City will be sold in the local market starting on the first quarter of 2009.

“Proud to be Philippine-made, the production of City is a testament to Honda’s long-term confidence in local manufacturing operations,” said HCPI President and General Manager Hiroshi Shimizu during the roll-off ceremony in December 2008. Read more