Honda bucks Thailand downtrend, HR-V leads the way

02 Models posing with the All-New HR-V

Honda has seen sales in Thailand rise sharply for the first two months of 2015, bucking the overall market trend. Honda Automobile (Thailand) reported a 42.6% year-on-year jump to 18,892 vehicles sold in Jan-Feb 2015, while the Thai market in general saw an 11.8% dip to 123,670 units.

Bangkok Post reports that the Japanese carmaker’s strong performance was partly attributed to backorders for some new models, especially the Honda HR-V that was launched in November 2014. The compact SUV has been a hit in the Land of Smiles, racking up 15,000 bookings, with 8,000 units delivered so far.

Boosted by this strong start, Honda Thailand is expecting 2015 sales to increase by 10% to around 110,000 to 120,000 units. This is on the back of a relatively poor 2014 – last year, Honda reported a sales drop of 50% to 106,482 vehicles.

The daily reports that a second Honda factory in Prachin Buri province (main plant is in Ayutthaya) is set to start producing subcompact cars from March 2016 with an annual capacity of 120,000 units. Production of auto parts will start this October.

The H brand is also on a roll in Malaysia. As of the first quarter of 2015, the company remains the top-selling non-national passenger carmaker, with 21,563 units sold from Jan-Apr 2015 – 38% up from the same period last year. The HR-V has amassed over 10,000 bookings since its February launch – check out our walk-around video and test drive report to learn more about this hot-selling model.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Hidden due to lowcomment rating. Click here to see.

    Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 127
    • AVH (Member) on Apr 07, 2015 at 6:11 pm

      Ermmm, I think you miss intepreted the meaning of ‘downtrend’

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 0
    • Apa lu cakap? Honda is doing very well in Thailand according to the article…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 1
    • BeemerFreak on Apr 08, 2015 at 1:44 am

      Yeah they are dull, if compared to a Ferrari or Lamborghini. However among Japanese cars they are the coolest besides Mazda. Toyota is the dullest, hands down.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 35 Thumb down 1
  • Habislah sam loo! Now even in thailand he has to sell underwear for ladyboys.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 70 Thumb down 1
  • The honda city beats the vios in Thailand and now HRV production can’t catch up with demand but if Toyota is willing to put VSC as standard say on the vios then they will win back sales but why just don’t do it very funny really cannot understand Thais are saying

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 1
  • Nathan Ferdinand on Apr 07, 2015 at 8:50 pm

    Sam loo must see this article. Habislah kau sam!

    Now sam, ahead to Parkson and continue selling underwear again.

    Sam, people is RUSHing to buy HR-V. They need safety and quality, not good RV or anything else.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 60 Thumb down 2
  • heybadigol (Member) on Apr 08, 2015 at 8:56 am

    If Honda brings the Jade to ASEAN in 2015, I think Honda Thai will have a positive trend till 2016.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Sparcov on Apr 10, 2015 at 10:37 am

    I’m still waiting my HRV after 2 months booking :(

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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