All-new Honda City launched in Thailand
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Honda City
Despite the fact that the entire world got an unabated view of it already, Honda has just dropped the curtain on its brand-new City economy car that's now officially on sale in Thailand. No, we won't get this car in the States; it's destined to remain primarily in Asia and emerging markets. That's a shame, 'cause we can see plenty to like here, starting with its powertrain. A 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine sends a healthy 120 horsepower to the front wheels through either an automatic or manual transmission with five speeds. As you might imagine, it will positively sip fuel in the process. In Thailand, the new City will sell for 524,000 – 694,000 baht. Not that it matters since it won't be sold here, but that equals about $15,000 in U.S. dollars.
Gallery: 2009 Honda City
[Source: Honda]
PRESS RELEASE:
Honda Begins Sales of All-New CITY in Thailand
BANGKOK, Thailand, September 10, 2008– Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (HATC), Honda's automobile production and sales subsidiary in Thailand, today began sales of the all-new CITY.
The design of the new CITY is based on the total pursuit of a compact, yet dynamic form with road presence. In addition, class-leading*1 interior space was achieved to create a cabin that surrounds the occupants with an open and secure feeling. The new CITY is equipped with a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine, which is further advanced in every way, including greater output and fuel consumption. Furthermore, with Honda's unique commitment to provide both advanced safety and environmental performance, the new CITY achieves the highest levels in every area in the effort to become the new bench mark for subcompact sedans.
The first generation Honda CITY was introduced in 1996, quickly responding to the growing needs for automobiles in Asian markets associated with economic growth in the region. Today, CITY is produced in seven countries*2 and enjoyed by customers in 39 nations around the world. CITY also is becoming one of Honda's core models, along with Civic, Accord, CR-V and Jazz (Fit), with cumulative sales passing the 1 million unit mark in late May 2008.
The sales of this third-generation CITY will begin in Thailand from today and expand successively to other existing markets. Honda also envisions further expansion of CITY sales, in order to meet growing customer needs, especially in emerging markets.
Regarding production of the new CITY, HATC will support the startup of production in developing countries including ASEAN markets, India and China. Honda's automobile production capabilities in Thailand have grown continuously for more than 20 years, which is helping accelerate the advancement of automobile production in the region as a whole by providing technical support for other production operations in neighboring countries. Honda has been strongly promoting local autonomy by transferring more production and procurement functions from Japan to Thailand with the goal of strengthening Honda's production strategy and to increase local parts sourcing. In addition, increased coordination with local R&D and production engineering functions (production equipment and tooling) is supporting the advancement of Honda production operations in Thailand as the leader plant in the region. As a result, the local content of the new CITY has now reached 93% from 83% of current model.
The second HATC plant will begin operation in late October of this year, expanding the total annual production capacity to 240,000 units. HATC will also expand auto exports and technical support to other operations to enhance its role as the leader plant, and strengthen it's competitiveness in the world.
*1 1.5-liter subcompact sedan category
*2 Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, China, Turkey.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
stevereportdotcom 3:04PM (9/10/2008)
Wow, that looks sharp. Better then the Focus, Corolla or Civic 4-door. However, at 15k thats a tad too overpriced. It should be in the $11k-$13k range.
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300Kid 3:05PM (9/10/2008)
Why won't they sell this here? Does the Yaris cannibalize Corolla sales? No. So why would it be any different for Honda w/its Civic? A small sedan would compliment the fit nicely.
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The Other Bob 3:37PM (9/10/2008)
"So why would it be any different for Honda w/its Civic?"
Have you seen the Fit? How many smallish cars can they have?
300Kid 10:32PM (9/10/2008)
Toyota has the Yaris 3 door hatch, the sedan and soon the 5 door hatch here in the U.S. Kia has the rio sedan and hatch (and the Hyundai counterparts). Chevy has the Aveo sedan and hatch. Nissan has the Versa sedan and hatch.
So why not Honda?
PJ 7:11PM (9/10/2008)
Probably because the Fit already looks at least as good, and because subcompacts are a *much* easier sell to Americans when you can shock them with how much space there is inside. Notchback-sedan packaging limits that space efficiency.
300Kid 3:06PM (9/15/2008)
I agree that it limits the *cargo* space efficiency. But the rear seat space, tall roof, etc. could all remain. Anybody who's ever sat in the back seat of a Versa sedan (I have) knows that.
KIB2 3:07PM (9/10/2008)
Are you kidding? Ford Fusion rebranded as a Fonda. Fonda's designs are just lacking.
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CBXweb 3:31PM (9/10/2008)
So the grille is similar and it is now a Fusion? Actually, the grille does not even look THAT similar. Some of you people really talk out of your ass.
Nellydesign 4:55PM (9/10/2008)
(Does the talking butt bit from Ace Ventura)
"Everyone's doing the three bars but this actually looks like a Kia Forte."
FFA 7:56AM (9/11/2008)
Its an evolution of the euro civic design, just because it has 3 bars doesnt turn it into one of those aberrations called ford
Stumpy 3:08PM (9/10/2008)
Looks good. Course I am a honda Fanboy, so I am biased.
I like the interior much better than our US Civic. The Speedo and Tach are back were they should be.
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Jim in Tampa 3:37PM (9/10/2008)
I agree Stumpy. That's the kind of dash I look for in a car unlike the dash in today's Civic!
James Sonne 4:32PM (9/10/2008)
I agree, it's a beautiful car. In fact, as far as I am concerned, it looks much better than the nasty Civic, and I love small cars with luxury features like leather and navigation.
The Kia Forte, which I believe they are releasing in the US, will have more ammenities and a lower price, and look even sharper. Search on Autoblog for the pictures, I'm eager for that little car as a commuter vehicle, and keep my RSX in the garage so it doesn't get dinged up daily!
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hankfidel 3:09PM (9/10/2008)
So is this Honda's version of the MKS?
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Torrent 3:10PM (9/10/2008)
My God that grille is killing me.
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Torrent 4:10PM (9/10/2008)
Still fugly, but I fixed the grille and named it the Honda City-ish.
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff22/Hakem1125/HondaCity-ish.jpg
hankfidel 3:12PM (9/10/2008)
The front looks a lot like one
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Soccer Mom 3:20PM (9/10/2008)
Focus with photoshopped Honda badge.
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Patrick 3:21PM (9/10/2008)
I see Honda is keeping their ugly streak alive w/ the City. It is not as bad as the Pilot, Ridgeline, and TL, but still an automotive equivalent of a butterface.
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old blighty 6:22PM (9/11/2008)
We won't see it because for these markets they can totally scrimp on crash-worthiness and emissions
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