With the normalization of supply across all models and the introduction of the new CR-V, Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) eyes to grow faster than industry this year, according to Louie Soriano, HCPI general manager for sales.
HCPI yesterday launched the new CR-V with a full hybrid counterpart seen to start the electrification of the Honda brand in the Philippines.
Soriano said with the popularity of compact sport utility vehicles, HCPI eyes to sell 300 units per month of the new CR-V, of which 30 percent or 90 units are hybrid. HCPI accounts for half of industry sales in the segment.
Soriano said to date, HCPI has received orders for 200 units of the CR-V.
From January to August, HCPI has sold 11,385 units, up 21 percent from the same period in 2022 . The industry grew 25 percent as of August.
Soriano said HCPI is yet to return to pre-pandemic level which was more than 20,000 units.
The company grew 10 percent in 2022 to about 14,000 units.
In her speech, HCPI president Rie Miyake said 2023 is a very important year as the company introduces its first model with e:hybrid electric vehicle (e:HEV) technology.
“The latest (sixth) generation of the Honda CR-V is one of the many firsts; the all new CR-V is the first model locally to receive e:HEV technology and is a significant step in our electrification journey,” Miyake said.
She said e:HEV is the latest generation of Honda’s full hybrid system that aims to deliver outstanding driving pleasure and exceptional environmental performance.
The 2.0 RS e:HEV E-CVT is priced at P2.59 million,about P310,000 more expensive than the most expensive petroleum variant 1.5 VX Turbo CVT AWD at P2.28 million. The 1.5 V Turbo CIV is priced at P2.1 million.
Miyake said HCPI plans to expand the e:HEV line in the future.
HCPI faced supply problems in the beginning of the year for the HR-V but this has since normalized.
