Honda Jazz CKD 1.5L launched – cheapest Honda in Malaysia at RM74,800, with dual airbags, VSA, ABS

Honda Malaysia revealed the locally assembled Honda Jazz this morning in Petaling Jaya. The CKD Jazz is the second Jazz variant to roll out from Honda Malaysia’s Melaka plant after the CKD Honda Jazz Hybrid that was launched in November 2012.

The standard petrol engined CKD Jazz is priced at RM74,800 OTR including insurance, making it the most affordable Honda car in Malaysia, undercutting the Honda City Grade S at RM85,980. All this while, the Jazz has been imported from Thailand.

Honda Malaysia’s MD and CEO Yoichiro Ueno explains the lower price. “Early this year, we established a new R&D centre in Malaysia, which specialises in matching local parts design. With the support from this new R&D centre, we are increasing our local content across all line-up,” he said. Local content now stands at 30% to 40%, and there are plans to increase it. The knocked down packs are from Thailand.

Here’s the chronology. The second-generation Honda Jazz was first introduced here in August 2008 in two grades – S (RM104,800) and V (RM109,800). The mid-life facelift came in April 2011, bringing a singular Grade V with a revised, sportier appearance for RM109,800, unchanged from the pre-facelift car.

The Jazz Grade V was then replaced by a Jazz Grade S in August 2012, which brought down the OTR price to RM99,800. Despite the RM10k lower pricetag, the non-hybrid Jazz didn’t make much sense beside the then made-in-Japan RM94,800 Jazz Hybrid, which is tax-exempt. The Jazz Hybrid is now locally assembled, and sells for RM89,900.

No revisions to the mechanicals, so say hello again to the L15A 1.5 litre i-VTEC engine with 120 PS and 146 Nm of torque. The SOHC 16-valve engine is paired to a five-speed automatic transmission. Safety kit includes dual airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), ABS, EBD and Brake Assist. As usual, Honda touts its G-Force Control Technology (G-CON) body, which scored five ASEAN NCAP stars with the Jazz’s sedan sister, City.

Click to enlarge.

Equipment wise, the CKD Jazz gets things like the famous Ultra Seats, blue/black fabric seats, tilt/telescopic steering, power retractable wing mirrors, factory stereo with USB/AUX, LED tail lamps, fog lamps and 15-inch wheels with 175/65 tyres. Our CKD car has everything the Thai-made Grade S has, except for one thing – auto door lock. This is because of ECE regulations, we are told.

A Modulo aerokit is optional for RM3,950. For this amount, your Jazz is dressed up with a unique front grille, front under spoiler, tailgate spoiler, side skirts and rear under spoiler. There’s also a RM2,550 “Jazz Urban Package” that throws in a front grille, trunk tray, illuminated side steps, alloy pedals with foot lights and tailgate spoiler.

Available in four colours – Taffeta White, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Sparkling Brown Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl – the Honda Jazz CKD is protected by a three-year or 100,000 km warranty. As a bonus, customers can choose from an extra six months of warranty or a 10,000 km free service package.

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