Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) has reduced the number of Jazz and CRV units that they are recalling by 4,620 units after it realized that these units have different design of power window master switch.

Last Monday, Honda announced the voluntary recall of 19,143 units of combined year. 2005-2007 Honda Jazz, year 2006-2008 City and year 2005-2008 CR-V models to replace the power window master switch assembly with countermeasure parts.

However, in a press statement, HCPI said that after a careful study, the number of affected vehicles is reduced to 14,883 units. The other 4,260 units which are not included in the recall have a different design of power window master switch which was supplied by other parts supplier. For easier reference, City units with central door lock function are not included in the recall.

The silicon component commonly found in air fresheners or automotive cleaning agents, etc. enters into the power window master switch. This accelerates wear in the contact area and over time, wear particles accumulate between the power source and ground of the unit switch. The resin material of the unit switch is then heated and carbonized. This may cause smoke and in worst case, partial burning of the window switch cover. To date, no accidents or injuries have been reported related to this defect in the Philippines

To conduct the voluntary recall in an orderly manner, customers are requested to call their respective dealers. Replacement of affected parts will be carried out in all 28 authorized dealers and 3 service centers nationwide, free of charge and will take no more than 30 minutes.

Philippine Star

Tsikot.com Philippines

The local automotive industry reported a decline in sales for the first eight months of the year due to the effects of the disasters in Japan that limited the production and supply of some models.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) in a joint report showed a 4.1 percent decline in January to August sales from a year ago level. During the first eight months of 2011, total industry sales stood at 93,108 units, lower than the 97,122 units recorded a year ago.

Month-on-month, however, the August sales performance was slightly higher at 11,558 from 11,550 in July due to introduction of new model, continuous promotion and availability of units.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. sold 34,190 units or 36.72 percent of total market share.

This was followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with sales of 21,182 units or 24.43 percent market share. Third was Honda Cars Philippines Inc. with 9.73 percent market share or 9,062 units followed by Ford Motor Company Phils. Inc. with 8.81 percent or 8,200 units and followed by Isuzu Philippines Corp. with 6.72 percent or 6,259 units.

Sales of passenger cars registered a 6.8 percent growth compared to last July’s figure but lower when compared from a year ago level.

Commercial vehicle sales decreased by 3.2 percent to 7, 532 in August from 7,782 units in July.

Philippine Star

Tsikot.com Philippines

As a precautionary measure, Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) has initiated a recall of 19,143 units of its Jazz, City and CR-V models to replace the power window master switch assembly.

In a briefing Monday, HCPI sales and corporate communication head Voltaire Gonzales said the recall had nothing to do with safety issues, but was only being done to prevent inconveniences to motorists in the long run.

He explained that the company decided to conduct a recall as early as now to prevent possible accidents that could occur with the power window master switch assembly over the long run.

Cars with silicon-based air fresheners and those whose owners use automotive cleaning agents with silicon components are especially prone to damage, as the silicon components enter the switch assembly and accelerate wear over time.

Silicon particles can accumulate between the power source and the ground of the switch, causing the resin material of the unit switch to be heated and carbonized. This can result in smoke or, at worst, partial burning of the window switch cover.

So far, none of the vehicles that had already been brought for repair had encountered these problems, Gonzales related. The power window master switch assembly just malfunctioned.

“The problem manifests over time, so car owners won’t immediately encounter this. It won’t cause an explosion, but it could be an inconvenience to the user if it happens,” Gonzales said.

Covered by the recall are 2,924 units of the 2005-2007 Jazz; 13,352 units of the 2006-2008 City; and 2,867 units of the 2005-2006 CR-V.

Replacement of the parts, including labor and materials, will be of no charge to the vehicle owner. Owners of affected vehicles will just have to set an appointment with any of the 28 authorized HCPI dealers and three service centers nationwide. Repairs, excluding waiting time, will take only 30 minutes.

Gonzales assured owners of affected vehicles that all the necessary parts were on hand.

HCPI in February also conducted a global recall of Jazz and City models manufactured from September 2008 to April 2010, affecting 5,468 units sold locally. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that a spring caused friction and noise in the engine, which, in the long run, could cause stalling or even engine failure.

Of this total, Gonzales said 81 percent had already been brought for repair.

“There’s still an ongoing effort to track down the remaining vehicles that we haven’t repaired yet,” he said.

The Jazz and the CR-V are both imported from Thailand, while the City is manufactured at HCPI’s facility in Laguna.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Tsikot.com Philippines

HONDA JAZZ hatchback cars offered in the Philippines are not affected by a world-wide recall of over a million units with lighting glitches, the nearby arm of Japanese auto maker Honda Motor Co. Ltd. said.

“Jazz [units] marketed within the Philippines are sourced from a diverse production plant that also applies a distinct assembly procedure for its lighting change,” Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. said on its Internet web site.

“The nearby market has no explanation to be anxious because Jazz designs offered inside the Philippines will not be impacted from the recall,” the car company added.

The assurance came to the heels of the Japanese headquarters’ announcement late very last week that one.35 million models from the design created from 2002-2008 had to be introduced back to the garage to repair faulty wiring inside the headlights.

In August, Honda Automobiles Philippines recalled 77 Civic units that had airbag systems that could possibly over-inflate as well as burst.

Honda Autos Philippines will be the regional motor car industry’s fourth top seller, with January to October revenue cornering ten.1% with the market place, most up-to-date data showed.

It sold 14,208 units in individuals ten months, down by two.2% in the very same period final year.

Tsikot.com Philippines

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%.

Bearing refined and class-leading features that were once reserved for luxury vehicles, the City neatly merges modernism with practicality for an ultimate driving pleasure. The launch of the 3rd generation City simply changes the rules on how subcompacts should be like.

The Honda Jazz also ups the ante for subcompacts. This multi-awarded model has been acclaimed for its remarkable use of space, thanks to its versatile ULTRA seats. Its innovative seat configurations can accommodate almost anything – be it tall, long or any utility items.

Just like any other Honda vehicle in the country, the City and the Jazz models are equipped with an advanced i-VTEC technology that makes the most out of every drop of fuel. By employing valve timing combination that pumps in fuel only as needed, the i-VTEC engine creates a perfect blend of remarkable fuel economy and optimum power output.

Apart from outstanding fuel efficiency, Honda vehicles are also engineered to pass the stringent European Emission Standards that regulate the amount of pollution that can be released into the atmosphere. Among local manufacturers, Honda is the only brand that has reached EURO 4 levels for all its model line-up.

So hurry! Rush over to any of the 26 Honda dealerships all over the country and make early reservations. For more details, you may contact any Honda dealership or log on to www.hondaphil.com.

Tsikot.com Philippines

Honda achieved distinguished recognition for its subcompact and executive sedan models during the 5th Annual C! Awards held recently at One Esplanade in Pasay City.

Besting three other nominees, the 1.5 Honda Jazz was named the class winner in the subcompact sedan category. C! Magazine’s August issue remarked that, “Honda certainly took the Jazz to a whole new level especially with the 1.5 liter i-VTEC engine, the clever use of space, nifty features and sporty-inclined handling.”

In bringing sheer driving enjoyment to greater heights, the 1.5 Jazz comes with a race-inspired paddle shift that is also available in other bigger models like the Civic and the Accord. The paddle shift option enables manual shifting of gears without the clutch. The Honda Jazz also offers more than enough space to match active lifestyles. Offering versatility in seat configurations, the ULTRA seats can accommodate almost anything – be it long, tall or any utility items.

Meanwhile, the 3.5 liter Honda Accord was also acclaimed the best in the executive sedan category. As C! Magazine put it in its latest issue, “Its performance- be it forward or lateral motion- is perfectly suited for the executive that prefers to get behind the wheel.”

The V6 Honda Accord is powered by the i-VTEC (Intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Electronic Lift Control) engine that is equipped with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM). VCM is a new generation of fuel-efficient technology that closes down cylinders when not needed. Coined as the VCM 643, this technology provides seamless activation and deactivation of cylinders from 6 to either 4 or 3 to match one’s driving requirements.

The 5th Annual C! Awards aim to honor the country’s finest automobiles and the entire automotive industry as well. Each nominee was meticulously assessed based on power, space, comfort, handling, value for money and other features that make it distinct in its class.

Tsikot.com Philippines

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.

Another thing that separates the City and the Jazz from the rest of the entry-level cars are their attention to safety. For Honda, regardless of your car type, driving is more than just getting to your destination; it’s about getting there safely. This is why Honda packed the Jazz and the City with safety features you’d only expect on models with bigger displacement engines The Jazz and the City comes with dual SRS airbags (except 1.3 A City) to protect passengers during collision. Both cars have ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) and EBD with BA (Electronic Brake Distribution with Brake Assist) for better stability and easier handling especially when driving on slippery surfaces and during acceleration. And to top it all, the Jazz and the City are even equipped with immobilizers to protect them from car theft.

These small cars are also big when it comes to environment friendliness. With the Jazz’ and the City’s 5-speed automatic transmissions, they optimize fuel economy and produce cleaner emissions. In fact, both cars are Euro 4 compliant although the Philippines require only Euro 2 level.

Aside from defying the norm when it comes to features, the Jazz and the City also prove that size should not cramp style. The City’s new arrowshot design is a sight to behold as it speeds through the streets and the short, sporty rear keeps you looking towards its direction long after it is gone. But the best thing about the City’s styling is its ability to fit all that space into its seemingly small body. The City’s class-leading spaciousness allows passengers to have ample headroom and legroom regardless of where they sit. The City is also big enough for your cargo, thanks to its trunk space’s 506-liter capacity.

The Jazz’ aerodynamic design on the other hand is a salute to both form and function. Aside from contributing to the Jazz’ overall performance, its design also makes the Jazz both sporty and spacious. Look closely at the Jazz and you’ll notice that Honda carved out extra space wherever possible. Panels have concave sides to expand elbowroom and the revolutionary ULTRA seats give the Jazz superb flexibility. Just pull the operating lever and voila, the seats can be folded flat with a single forward pull. The lower cushion can also be folded up to make room for tall items. With the various seat configurations, the Jazz can carry objects that range from plants, to long boards and even to a mountain bike.

The Jazz’ and the City’s clever use of space, combined with their power and top-of-the-line features, will change the way you look at 1.3s. Yes, they maybe small, but their sporty looks score big in the styling department. And yes, they do have lower displacement engines, but they’re way up there when it comes to features, driving performance, and fuel-efficiency.

Visit your nearest Honda dealer now and test drive these mighty 1.3s. For more information about Honda and its products, log on to www.hondaphil.com.

Honda Philippines Media Release

Tsikot.com Philippines

Honda Cars Phils., Inc. (HCPI) recently awarded a brand new Jazz with vibrant and exclusive purple artwork to Mr. Calvin Galgana, the grand prize winner of the Yahoo! Purple Hunt game.

Yahoo! Purple Hunt was a treasure hunt activity that entailed solving online clues and tracking down treasures located around Metro Manila.

The hunt ultimately led to a brand new Jazz that sports dynamic styling, spirited performance, versatile ULTRA seat configurations for all sorts of utility items and most importantly, remarkable fuel economy.

Armed with quick wits, proficient skills and a bit of luck, Mr. Galgana beat the other 2,000 successful online registrants who attended the finale event and wound his way through the Yahoo! maze at The Fort, Bonifacio Global City. Initially, this senior college student of New Era University just found simple delight in cracking the codes. But as he inched his way to the final eliminations, pure adrenaline and determination got him moving closer to the ultimate plum.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. partnered with Yahoo! Philippines in its social networking movement called Project Purple. Commencing last June, this movement aimed to ignite pinoy passions by promoting creativity, innovativeness and freedom of expression in a fun and refreshing way.

“The Honda Jazz shares the same ideals as Yahoo!. Perfectly fitting the intentions of the event, the Jazz exudes fun and vibrancy that enable expression and pursuit of one’s passion. The Jazz comes packed with features that suit today’s active lifestyles, making it the country’s only Fun Utility Vehicle (FUV).“ said Mr. Voltaire Gonzales, HCPI’s Vehicle Sales and Corporate Communications Department Head.

Honda Media Release

Tsikot.com Philippines

Catch the country’s Fun Utility Vehicle (FUV), Honda Jazz, at the Yahoo! Purple Hunt game.  Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. partners with Yahoo! Philippines in its social movement called, “Project Purple.”  This project aims to fuel Pinoy passions by promoting creativity, innovativeness and expression of opinion, in a fun and refreshing way.

In doing so, Yahoo! introduced a treasure hunt activity with a purple twist.  Dubbed as the Yahoo! Purple Hunt, accessible via www.yahoo.com.ph, participants are tasked to solve online clues and find treasures located around Metro Manila.

The ultimate treasure at stake is a brand new Honda Jazz, designed with hip and exclusive purple artwork.

Sharing the same values as Yahoo!, the Honda Jazz exudes fun and vibrant demeanor that perfectly fits one’s active lifestyle in these modern times.  The Honda Jazz sports dynamic styling, spirited performance, versatile ULTRA seat configurations for all sorts of utility items and most importantly, remarkable fuel economy.  Without a doubt, the Jazz is one small car that is not ‘small’ in space, technology, performance, styling and ultimately, in FUN factor.   It comes loaded with features that enable expression and pursuit of one’s passion.

Yahoo! Purple Hunt runs until July 25, 2009.

Honda Cars Philippines Media Release

Tsikot.com Philippines

When the Honda Jazz came out in 2004, it was dubbed a revolutionary vehicle. There was nothing like it in its class. Needless to say it became a huge success. With the recent release of the second generation Jazz, Honda’s revolutionary product has stepped gracefully into the next phase of hatchback evolution. It is now more versatile and multi-faceted, making it an ideal option for those with a demanding and unpredictable lifestyle.

The Jazz is a premier example of Honda’s clever space planning by using central fuel tank layout to optimize cabin space and maintain ease of maneuverability. The 2nd generation Jazz is now wider and longer, offering even more options for the metropolitan on the go.

As a young professional with the signature spiky hairstyle or English faux-hawk, you can sit in comfort knowing the roof of the car won’t brush your painstakingly acquired ‘do. Every detail is accounted for in Honda’s design. It has loads of compartments to meet your ever demanding lifestyle needs – from extra pair of shades, cologne and even assorted hair products. The Jazz also has a total of ten cup holders for any drink you need at hand and a coin holder for spare change you hate to keep in your pocket.

With your hectic job requiring you to attend one appointment to another, Honda brings driving pleasure right at your fingertips with the help of its race-inspired paddle shift. This innovation enables manual shifting of gears without the clutch. It is located behind the wheel to make gear-shifting easily accessible and safe.

The relatively small 5.2 m turning radius of this car gives you a versatile drive. Navigation of those tiny parking lots and backstreets, where every building’s service entrance seems to be located, become one less thing for you to worry about. For those extra horrible work days when the supplier can’t deliver an unusually shaped load themselves, the variations of storage capacity and cargo adaptable options make this innovation of Honda a godsend. The ULTRA seats can transform from ride friendly to load friendly with just one easy pull. This clever concept of easily changeable seats that fold every which way keep the Jazz ready for anything that you need to be ready for. So that untimely delivery of much needed equipment to the proper destination can be done without the hassle of having to remove headrests or seating.

At the end of the day you can be assured that you are getting the best value for your money. The Jazz sports the i-VTEC engine with high fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions. The class leading 5-speed automatic transmission works with Drive-by-Wire acceleration control for more power while maintaining fuel economy. It has the solid drive and reliability associated with other Hondas but it has versatility unlike any other. With everything that Honda has painstakingly integrated into the design, this hatchback is the companion that is ready when you need to be.

For more details about the Jazz, log on to www.hondaphil.com or visit any dealer nearest you. Remember to Be Smart, Test drive!

Honda Philippines Media Release

Tsikot.com Philippines