Honda projects 10-15% increase in sales of City model this year

MANILA, Philippines - The local unit of Japan’s Honda Motor Co. Ltd., which launched Tuesday night the fourth generation of the City, aims to beat last year’s total sales of the previous generation by 10 to 15 percent this year.

“Well, last year we sold around 7,600 units of the previous generation City and we expect of course it (fourth generation) will exceed the 7,600 units (this year). We at least expect it can overcome by 10 to 15 percent,” Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) president and general manager Toshio Kuwahara told reporters during the launch on Tuesday night.

HCPI has invested more than P200 million for new equipment at its plant in Sta. Rosa in Laguna for the assembly of the new City.

“We expect a lot from this City because City is the only model we manufacture in our Sta. Rosa plant,” Kuwahara said.

The new City which features fuel economy performance, spacious comfort and stylish design, is targeted for the young generation or those in the 20s to 40s age group.

It is available in three variants and has a price range of P756,000 to P970,000.

The vehicle is expected to account for more than 50 percent of the firm’s total sales this year.

HCPI aims to sell around 15,000 units this year, much higher than the 13,356 units it sold a year ago.

The company is banking on new vehicle introductions to support higher sales.

Aside from the all-new Accord launched in January and the new City, the firm plans to unveil two more vehicle models this year.

Kuwahara said HCPI is set to introduce the Brio which would compete in the small passenger car segment in the second half of the year.

He said the growing local demand for the small passenger car segment is a good opportunity for the company to expand its vehicle offering.