Honda aims for 10% hike in Jazz sales

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine unit of Japan’s Honda Motor Co. Ltd. aims to achieve a 10 percent hike in total sales of the Jazz hatchback this year following the launch of the new generation of the vehicle model.

 â€œI said earlier that I would like to see 10 percent more than last year for overall sales in Honda (this year), so I would also like to sell 10 percent more than last year’s sales of Jazz,” Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) president and general manager Toshio Kuwahara told reporters during the launch of the all-new Jazz.

The company sold a total of 1,500 units of the Jazz last year.

For the all-new Jazz, Kuwahara said HCPI expects to sell at least 1,000 units from July to December this year.

“Our target market is the young people looking for something that is the best in class and those starting a family,” he said.

Kuwahara said that while the Jazz may seem expensive compared with other vehicle models in the hatchback segment, it offers the best value for money given its spacious legroom, versatile ultra seat and full-range of safety features.

The new Jazz, imported from Thailand, is available in four variants and is priced between P768,000 to P948,000.

While HCPI aims to beat last year’s total Jazz sales this year, the vehicle model’s contribution to the company’s total sales is expected to post a slight decline with the launch of another hatchback model, the Brio, this year.

The Jazz accounts for a little more than 10 percent of HCPI’s total annual sales.

Kuwahara said the Brio, which would be HCPI’s entry for the low-end segment, would be launched in the third quarter.

 â€œWith the stable growth of Philippine macroeconomy, more people will buy subcompact car,” he said.

Given the launch of the two vehicle models, he said HCPI intends to be the leader in the subcompact segment.

“We will try our best to maintain number one position in the subcompact market,” he said.

HCPI sold a total of 13,356 units last year.

Other vehicle models being sold by HCPI are the Accord, City, Civic, CR-V, CR-Z, Odyssey and Pilot.