well maybe because it has maintained its status of "no taxi" being used Honda vehicles.. also the VTEC really made the honda very popular... but they are no way anymore prestigious nor special than their japanese brand counter parts...
for me i go for the suzuki swift...
OT: even riders choose Honda Wave or Honda XRM.. feeling naka "honda civic" sila.. since the word "honda" eh nakadikit sa mga motor nila... yung mga can't afford to buy a car especially a honda civic end up with a honda... xrm nga lang... i even see one rider na naka park sa parking area ng mga kotse nakahiga pa siya sa ibabaw ng motor nya while waiting...