Honda targets to sell 300 Odyssey vans

MANILA, Philippines - Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) aims to sell around 300 units of the new Odyssey luxury minivan this year.

HCPI president and general manager Toshio Kuwahara told reporters during the launch of the new Odyssey he intends to beat the annual sales of the previous generation of the minivan this year.

“The last version of Odyssey sold around 250 units in this country, so I expect to exceed that…around 300 units. I would be happy if I can sell that much in one year,” he said.

The all-new Odyssey provides luxurious passenger comfort as it can accommodate seven passengers and is equipped with a seven-inch touch screen display audio with navigation system and a roof-mounted nine-inch rear entertainment system with HDMI port and DVD player.

The minivan also has a full suite of safety measures covering multi-view camera system, smart parking assist system, blind spot information and cross traffic monitor, active cornering lights, emergency stop signal, driver and passenger SRS airbags, side airbags, side curtain airbags, anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution, vehicle stability assist and hill start assist.

The Odyssey, which is available in three colors such as Premium Twinkle Black Pearl, White Orchid Pearl and Modern Steel Metallic, is imported from Japan and has an introductory price of P2.298 million.

Kuwahara said that after one month, the minivan would be available at a price of P2.348 million.

“Market (for minivan) is stable. I think we can stimulate the market with the introduction of the new Odyssey,” he said.

Aside from the Odyssey, he said the firm would launch other vehicle models this year, including a new sports utility vehicle, to expand its offering in the market.

Other vehicle models currently being sold by HCPI are the Accord, Brio, Brio Amaze, City, Civic, CR-V, CR-Z, Jazz and the Pilot.

Asked about plans to assemble a new vehicle model at its plant in Sta. Rosa in Laguna, Kuwahara said the firm is still waiting for the release of the government’s automotive industry roadmap before making any decision.

At present, the City is the only locally-assembled Honda vehicle being sold here.

As of end-February, total sales of HCPI reached 2,346 units, up 14 percent from 2,057 units in the same period last year.

Last year, it sold a total of 13,378 units.