Honda launches new sedan amid tight competition
Honda launches new sedan amid tight competition
JAKARTA (JP): PT Honda Prospect Motor, the sole agent of
Japan's Honda Motor Co. Ltd,. launched here on Friday a new model
of its Honda Civic sedan amid the growing competition in the
domestic automotive market.
The company's vice president Yoshiaki Nakamura said he was
optimistic that the public would respond enthusiastically to
1,700 cc New Civic despite the tight competition.
"We hope we will be able to sell 2,000 units of the new model
this year," he said following the launching of the car.
Nakamura said the previous model, which was launched in 1999,
enjoyed a brisk demand, with sales reaching 1,200 units last
year.
According to him, the previous model successfully controlled
18 percent of the market segment for medium-sized sedans with
capacity between 1,500 cc and 1,800 cc.
With the 18 percent share, Honda Civic grabbed the second
place after Toyota Corolla, while Mitsubishi Lancer took the
third place.
The company spokesman Jonfis Fandy also said that Honda would
have a lot of buyers this year as its main competitors would not
be launching any new models this year.
"This sedan is creating a new global standard" he added.
He said that New Civic adopted the latest technology on G-
Force control to reduce the risk of accident by using better
quality steel in its body. It is also fitted with dual safety
bags.
Jonfis said buyers would also be able to make a savings of
approximately 33 percent in their fuel and maintenance costs as
New Civic's fuel consumption is only equivalent to that of a
1,500 cc sedan, and its maintenance interval is longer compared
to other 1,700 cc sedans.
The New Civic, which comes in four series, sells between Rp
232 million (about US$24,400) and Rp 256 million on the road.
Automotive analysts predict gloomy sales in the local car
market this year due to political uncertainties.
The Indonesian Association of Automotive Industries (Gaikindo)
predicts a zero growth although the Ministry of Trade and
Industry estimates a 6 percent growth to 320,000 units.
Last year, car sales jumped to 300,000 from 93,843 in 1999 on
the back of improvement in some economic sectors.
According to Gaikindo's record, sedan sales significantly
increased to 47,770 units from only 11,041 in 1999 and light van
sales rose to 211,900 units from 1999's 67,718.
Truck, jeep and bus sales would likely reach 40,330 units, up
from 1999's 14,084 units. (05)