Honda to strengthen market share with Jazz hatchback

Honda Cars Philippines Inc. is set to strengthen its market share with a new addition to its model line-up.

According to Honda Philippines’ current president and general manager Takashi Sekiguchi, Honda intends to focus on rebuilding and strengthening its existing car models, specifically the Civic and CRV.

Likewise, Honda will also develop the still unappreciated five-door hatchback model.

Sekiguchi noted that the Philippine market equates value with size and thus tends to favor the much larger American vehicles which, however, are not fuel efficient.

It is because of the Filipino’s preference for big vehicles that Honda’s first hatchback model, the Jazz, failed to sell as well as projected, Sekiguchi admitted.

However, Honda is not giving up and has in fact added further refinements to the Jazz with the introduction of a more powerful variant, the 1.5-liter VTEC.

This new addition answers the market’s clamor for stronger engine performance from the Jazz. Fine-tuning on a sportier look, the 1.5-liter Jazz dons 15" alloy wheels, a high mount stop lamp and rear center-mounted sports roof antenna. Moreover, the 1.5-liter Jazz is distinguished by a sleeker and sportier color keyed side protector mouldings and wrap-around skirts.

The 2005 Jazz comes in two engine blocks. At the heart of the Jazz 1.3-liter is the i-DSI (Intelligent Dual and Sequential Ignition), an installation of Honda’s cutting edge i-series engines. The compact and lightweight i-DSI engine provides maximum torque at 2,800 rpm for city driving that other sedans in its class could not equal. With the employment of the ingenious dual spark plug system (2 spark plugs and 2 valves per cylinder) with individually controlled ignition timing, the i-DSI engine offers more rapid and complete combustion, achieving best fuel-efficiency in its class.

Industry statistics show that the Honda Jazz actually leads in the five-door hatchback market with a controlling market share of 43 percent.

Its closest competitor, the Hyundai Getz has a 29 percent market share while the Kia Picanto has a 21 percent market share.

BMW’s One series accounts for a mere four percent market share, while Chevrolet’s Aveo accounts for a mere three percent.

Honda is hoping to sell at least 200 units a month of its latest Jazz variant.

The Jazz is imported from Thailand.

Sekiguchi admitted that Honda currently has no immediate plans to manufacture any new model in the country and would thus just focus on strengthening its local production of the Civic and CRV.