Honda Cars Phl launches hybrid sports car

MANILA, Philippines - Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) aims to energize the Honda brand in the Philippines here with the newest addition to its vehicle line-up, the hybrid sports car Compact Renaissance Zero or the CR-Z.

Even as the government has yet to pass into law a measure which would provide incentives to environment-friendly vehicles, HCPI president and general manager Tatsuya Natsume told reporters Monday night the firm decided to introduce the CR-Z here following inquiries about the sale of the model when it was displayed at the 4th Philippine

International Motor Show held last year.

“We think that this kind of car is enthusiastically expected by our Philippine motorists. This is why we decided to bring this car,” he said.

The hybrid sports car is the first of its kind in the local market and represents Honda’s commitment to go back to the point of origin to take on the challenge of creating a new compact car without being bound by the values of traditional coupés.

“This car can excite our customers, excite our dealers, excite Honda fans in the Philippines and can energize our Honda brand,” Natsume said.

He noted that the firm has so far received 100 orders for the new vehicle since it started accepting reservations in April.

With the new vehicle to be displayed in Honda dealerhips by Aug. 17, the firm is anticipating reservations for the CR-Z to increase.

Natsume declined to give a sales target for the CR-Z though as it is the first time the model is being made available here.

“We have no definite target because we have no idea how much we can sell, but we want to sell as many as we can,” he said.

The CR-Z, which is manufactured in the Suzuka factory in Japan, uses a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine as the main source of power with an electric motor, Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), which would enable drivers to have a responsive driving experience as well as achieve fuel efficiency.

The CR-Z, which comes in both manual transmission and continuously variable transmission with paddle shifters, is available in six colors and three variants priced between P1.390 million to P1.950 million.

While Natsume does not have a sales target for the CR-Z, he said the firm intends to surpass its total sales performance in 2012 this year.

“CAMPI’s (Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc.) forecast is some seven percent more than last year. We want to be in line with this,” he said further.

HCPI sold 12,653 units in 2012, up nine percent from the previous year.