Tag: Honda

Honda Motor Company (HMC) has set a target of 10,000 units sales in Nigeria by 2020.

Managing Director, Honda Automobile Western Africa Limited (HAWA), Mr Takayuki Yamashita, said this during HMC partnership with The Honda Place (THP) Limited – a division of Stallion Group.

Honda, it would be recalled, recently launched improved versions of the Civic, Accord and CR-V. Other impressive Honda range includes Pilot, Odyssey, Crosstour and City.

At a media parley to announce the establishment of its subsidiary HAWA in partnership with THP, Honda Chief Operating Officer for Regional Operations (Europe, the Middle and Near East and Africa), Mr Manabu Nishimae, pledged that HMC will strengthen its presence in Nigeria.

At the the event were representatives from the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria and representatives from Honda Japan.

Nishimae said the establishment of Honda’s liaison office in Nigeria was a strategy to develop and enhance Honda’s business in Nigeria, the most populous country in the region where continuous growth is envisaged.

Yamashita told motoring correspondents that HAWA would oversee marketing support initiatives as well as sustainable business development and customers’ satisfaction, while THP takes charge of sales and service operations.

He emphasised that the basic idea behind the move was to “connect the market with Honda’s global resources and accelerate the expansion of our business in Nigeria.”

Reiterating Honda’s commitment to deliver “Three Joys,” Yamashita elaborated further saying “there is “Joy of Buying” for customers first, dealer’s “Joy of Selling”, and Honda’s “Joy of Creating” should follow. Together with our partner THP Limited, we will put customer’s “Joy of Buying” first, no matter what, and no matter when”.

Yamashita said Honda would fully support THP, taking advantage of Honda experience of 50 years all over the world, selling automobiles.

Also announcing his intentions to prioritise after sales services for Honda products in the country, Yamashita said the company would ensure continuous satisfaction of the existing and future customers throughout the ownership.

He, however, commended THP for investing in a new facility in Lekki area that would enhance sales and aftersales operations.

Honda Manufacturing (Nigeria) Limited has launched a new motorcycle – Dream 110.

This is in continuation of the company’s determination to take over the two wheelers’ market largely dominated by Chinese manufacturer and Bajaj Boxer from Indian. Bajaj’s Boxer has a very strong brand name and it commands brand premium over Chinese model in Nigeria. Both Chinese and Indian manufacturer will now have tough fight from Honda, the Japanese auto giant.

The presentation of Dream 110, held at the Ota, Ogun State office of the company, was witnessed by the company’s top officials, clientele, private and commercial motorcyclists.

The country Managing Director, Osamu Ishikawa described the new motorcycle as the best for Nigerian market.

Ishikawa said the vision behind the new Dream 110 motorcycle included excellence and user -friendliness.

Honda, he said, has intensified efforts, both high quality and affordable products.

“Our study has shown that the demand for personal user of motorcycle is increasing. The best motorcycle must also be affordable, economical and durable to withstand high terrain considering Nigerian road condition,” he said.

He boasted that the new bike is elegant, comfortable and fuel efficient.

Narrating the features of the new bike, Honda’s Sales Manager, Amos Ogoigbe, said the motorcycle, has 110 CC-engine and developed as a part of the strategy of low price, models for newly emerging markets with focus on ease of handling, fuel efficiency, elegance and durability while leveraging Honda’s global network to increase cost competitiveness.

He said there is demand for more private motorcycles due to increase in the nation’s GDP yearly, hence the introduction of new product.

Honda Dream 110, Ogoigbe said, is 20 percent better than Chinese models.

“It is designed to take care of customers’ desire to have the best brand; security and safety are embedded. It has a shield that protects leg and feet from the muddy splash. It is the best personal motorcycle for lovers of two wheelers,” Ishikawa interjected.

Honda has set 10,000 units sales target for the segment.

The Managing Director admitted that the restriction of motorcycles in some parts of Lagos by the state government affected their sale last year but the company has devised means to address the situation.

He, however, said Honda Nigeria is not introducing the 200CC-engine recommended by the state government anytime soon.

“We are still studying the situation to understand its market viability. We have embark on producing products that are affordable compare to our competitors; it will be unwise for us to delve into 200CC-engine segment which will automatically catapulted the price into a thing that will be difficult for average users of the bike to purchase,” Ishikawa said.

The previous generation Civic has always performed well in the driver power survey and, as lots of technology has been carried over straight from the old car, it is expected that the new 9th generation car would do just well as its predecessor, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

The Honda Place Nigeria has joined the rest of the world to unveil the ninth-generation Honda Civic that was recently face-lifted to incorporate upscale features such as sleek, energetic and aerodynamic design with a new ECON button that adjusts throttle response and air conditioning to improve fuel economy.

In a chat with motoring journalists in Lagos, The Honda Place Head of sales and marketing, Mr Deepak Daryanani, said the previous-generation Honda Civic had a revolutionary look, but Honda has chosen evolution for this latest model.

The Civic, according to him is also smoother and sleeker in shape with curvy wheel-arches and longer front and rear overhangs.

This is in addition to the LED lights that run across the front and are standard across the range.

The tail of the Civic, however, retains the split screen of its predecessor with the lights incorporated into the split, but a windscreen wiper has been added.

On the inside, the cabin material and switchgear has been improved while the digital dashboard is simplified so that it’s easier to read.

Available in two –trim levels, LX and EX, the entry level LX comes equipped with automatic air-con, USB connectivity and 16-inch alloy wheels while the EX adds luxuries like cruise control, front fog lights, dual-zone climate control and Bluetooth and panoramic sunroof.

A mock test drive after the product familiarization meeting reveals that the new Honda Civic strikes a good balance between fun and comfort – courtesy of the new smooth electric power steering system and fluid-filled rear suspension bushes, which soaks up bumps convincingly.

Coupled with this are the slippery aerodynamics that helps resist wind noise, so it is pretty quiet on the motorway.

The previous generation Civic has always performed well in the driver power survey and, as lots of technology has been carried over straight from the old car, it is expected that the new car would do just well as its predecessor.

As for safety, Daryanani said Civic has a maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating, adding that every Civic comes fitted with a full complement of airbags, as well as LED daytime running lights, ESP and ABS as standard. The EX model gets adaptive cruise control and a Collision Mitigation Braking System, which uses radar to detect imminent collisions at low speeds.

Daryanani said only the 140bhp 1.8-litre petrol engine with a five-speed automatic transmission system will be available in the local market.

Talking practicality, there’s plenty of room for adults in the back – thanks to the car’s generous dimension of 4,300mm long, 2,065mm wide and 1,590mm tall.

“The clever rear bench ‘Magic Seat’ is also still there; this means that you can fold the seats flat when you want to carry longer items, or flip the seats up cinema-style when you want to transport taller loads,” Daryanani said.

Daryanani said: “The Civic has always been cheap to run, and this latest version is no different. All of the engines are economical. You can get the 1.8 litre to post 28/29kmpg and emit 137g/km. And with strong residual values across the range, you’ll get a lot of your money back come resale time.”