Honda expects strong sales for new CR-V

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine unit of Japan’s Honda Motor Co. Ltd. aims to sell up to 200 units per month of the new generation of the CR-V sports utility vehicle (SUV) as it looks to hit full-year sales of 14,000 units this year.

“For the CR-V, before we averaged around 150 units sales a month and I expect with this major upgrade of exterior design…I expect (sales) to increase at least 20 percent or even up to 200 units a month,” Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) president and general manager Toshio Kuwahara told reporters during the vehicle launch.

With a higher sales goal for the CR-V, its share in HCPI’s total sales is also expected to rise to 12 to 13 percent from 10 percent.

The fourth generation CR-V, which is imported from Thailand, has a sleeker and more masculine exterior design, with new front and rear bumper garnish, prominent front grille, LED (light emitting diode) daytime running lights, and redesigned sporty 17-inch alloy wheel.

The SUV is available in 2.4 and 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine displacements either in five-speed automatic transmission or six-speed manual transmission, with an introductory price range of P1.313 million to P1.673 million.

“I think this SUV can fit the various type of customers here in the Philippines. You know, many Filipinos love the SUV especially the young and growing families,” Kuwahara said.

The launch of the CR-V follows other models introduced by HCPI such as the Accord, City, Jazz, Civic, Brio and Brio Amaze in previous months as the company looks to achieve higher sales this year.

“We already sold almost 11,000 units from January to October and probably we’re on track to hit 14,000 units by the end of December,” Kuwahara said.

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

Amid improving economic conditions and demand for cars, HCPI plans to expand its vehicle lineup with the launch of new models next year.

“We’re bringing in new cars that we haven’t brought in the Philippines including SUV,” Kuwahara said.

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

As for plans to increase local content of cars, Kuwahara said a full model change of a vehicle model assembled here would be the best time for such, but noted that much would depend on the availability of parts in the domestic market.

He noted that the local content of the new City being assembled in Santa Rosa, Laguna has risen to 30 percent from more than 20 percent.

“We will gradually increase process to be done in the Philippines so that we can have more business with the local suppliers and that they can hire more people. I think that’s the direction we should take to contribute more to the local economy,” he said.