During the launch of the City Hatchback today, Honda Malaysia announced that it has sold over 22,000 units of the latest fifth-generation sedan model since its launch in October last year. Of those, less than five per cent were of the range-topping e:HEV RS hybrid, the company revealed at a press conference.
Of course, the e:HEV did miss out on five months of sales, having only been offered on the market from March. The hybrid is also far and away the most expensive model in the local City range – at RM105,950, it’s over RM19,000 pricier than the next closest variant, the petrol-powered 1.5 V. The latter has closed the gap slightly with a new Honda Sensing-equipped version, but at RM90,212 it’s still nearly RM16,000 cheaper.
Another possible factor is that the e:HEV powertrain’s operation is very different from the petrol engines that Malaysian customers are used to, and even most hybrids. Most of the time, the car is powered by a 109 PS/253 Nm electric motor, juiced by a 98 PS/127 Nm 1.5 litre Atkinson-cycle i-VTEC engine. The latter can also clutch in at higher speeds to provide motive power and assist the motor under hard acceleration.
The sales performance and customer reception of the e:HEV model is at least in line with Honda Malaysia’s expectations, said executive coordinator Yujiro Sugino.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Overpriced la dey…. top up a bit can get Civic.
New tech is usually more expensive when it initially enters the market. It should get cheaper when it becomes more commonly produced & used.
The reason why it is more expensive is not important.. the fact that it is more expensive by so much is…
Why Civic doesn’t has this HEV too?
The idea is with small 1.5 engine boost to D segment alike HP, if civic use HEV then become Super racing car dy.
What are you talking nonsense
Dear Honda Malaysia,
If you read this. Bring the Turbo version for all specs non RS, we tested the turbo in Almera and it is awesome. (Not as good as Civic TCP though, but it is what it is)
And for the RS model, please do away with the lame hybrid engine. Replace it with the Turbo version, put on bigger wheel, put in full Honda Sensing, including the Low Speed Follow. Everyday there is always traffic jam on Malaysian road including the normal weekend. LSF is a must for all new car.
I will be super surprised (a pleasant surprise thou) if HM respond to this request
cos ppl who want a cheap car don want an expensive to fix hybrid
How to get people confident to buy if the test drive unit for hybrid is not available. This technology is new, even I am existing honda hybrid for 10 years is sceptical to buy before test drive.
Oh i think vios sold more during same period
5% out of 22,000 units is about 1,100 City will come equip w. Honda Sensing. In order word it is around 20,900 units City are still without it.
So if the car accident rate is about… let say 5% (or maybe higher?) and per research study AEB (or Honda Sensing) may reduce 50% of accident rate. So, that will be around 1,045×50% = 523 (20,900 x5%) City drivers may able to avoided from collision. If we included the involvement parties in since collision most likely will involve more than one car, then that is min. 1,045 people may avoided in accidents.
So, Honda Malaysia can actually contributed more on reducing road accident but it still opt to reserved their Honda Sensing to their top spec. City & City Hatch.
Honda Malaysia is not doing wrong to try keeping their City base price as low as they can. I just feel that AEC should come standard for all car selling on market just like ABS & Airbag.
Proton too is another player who keep their ADAS for top spec only.
Perodua is definitely doing the best among all players.
Look at the volumes Perodua sold, seems we only able to count on Perodua as soon more than 50% of new car on market will equip with AEB and thus contribute to lower accident rate in Malaysia.
AEC means AEB?
But 80% of Perodua cars sold are the lower specs without AEB, so how is it ‘doing the best among all players’? Not when a Myvi with all the bells & whistles cost nearly as much as a Japanese B segment. Oh, Perodua is definitely doing the best among all players at overcharging us for specs they should have given without a price increase.