While the total market for UK car sales is down over 4% compared to last year,
Honda is bucking that trend and showing 2% growth, thanks in large part to the strength the new 5-door
Civic and the continued success of the Jazz (that's what the
Fit is called in Europe) and
CR-V.
The British-built Civic 5-Door is the UK division's top mover, tallying over 16,000 sales so far. It has outperformed what the entire Civic range did up to this point in time last year, and it has yet to be joined in the marketplace by the Civic 3-door ( to be unveiled next month) and the new Civic Type R (coming next year).
The Honda Jazz is next with 14,000+ sales to date. Both Civic and Jazz are retaining value, too. Over the first six to ten months of ownership, Civic keeps 97% of its retail value, while Jazz is only slightly behind at 95%.
As successful as they are, however, the two big volume sellers for Honda UK are still runners-up in their respective classes. At this time, Civic is #2 behind the Ford Focus and Jazz plays second fiddle to the Ford Fiesta.
Next year could be a different story, as Civic, with a 3-car lineup in its corner, goes toe-to-toe with Focus for the top spot. There's a lot to like about both cars, so it'll be interesting to follow from afar.
Sadly, that's all North American fans will be able to do, as the UK-spec Civic and Focus are forbidden fruit this side of the pond.
(Press release with YTD sales numbers after the jump)
[Source: Honda UK] 19 June 2006
HONDA (ONDA) UP!
Leading the charge is the Swindon-built new Civic 5 door hatch, outselling the entire Civic range compared to this time last year. In the all important retail sector, reflecting real consumer choice, Civic 5 door is second in the entire sector, just behind the Ford Focus.
It's not just the car's radical styling that is attracting new customers. Residual values have set the car apart too. Last week at a BCA Measham auction the first batch of 6-10 month old Civics sold at an average of 97% of their original value.
"Demand is exceptional," explained Steve Martindale, Head of Company Vehicle Operations, "Civic represents a great ownership experience and that includes class leading residual values."
Honda intends to build on Civic 5 door success with the unveiling of a 3 door version at the London Motorshow. A Type R version will follow in spring 2007.
The British Built CR-V remains number 1 in the SUV segment, with combined sales of nearly 8,000 units.
The Jazz also proves itself as an 'evergreen'. Now in its fourth year the car continues to outperform the sector. Second in the sales charts (behind Fiesta) the car averaged 95% of its original value at the aforementioned BCA Measham auction.
Honda sales stats as of 16th June 2006:
Sales
Honda: 47,442
Jazz: 14,942
Civic 5dr: 16,397
Accord: 4,701
CR-V: 7,986
S2000: 416
05 Civic models: 967
Civic Hybrid/IMA: 293
FR-V: 1693
Other: 47
Honda Market Share 4.29%
Honda sales vs 2005 Up 1.9%
Total Market vs 2005 down 4.7%
The British-built Civic 5-Door is the UK division's top mover, tallying over 16,000 sales so far. It has outperformed what the entire Civic range did up to this point in time last year, and it has yet to be joined in the marketplace by the Civic 3-door ( to be unveiled next month) and the new Civic Type R (coming next year).
The Honda Jazz is next with 14,000+ sales to date. Both Civic and Jazz are retaining value, too. Over the first six to ten months of ownership, Civic keeps 97% of its retail value, while Jazz is only slightly behind at 95%.
As successful as they are, however, the two big volume sellers for Honda UK are still runners-up in their respective classes. At this time, Civic is #2 behind the Ford Focus and Jazz plays second fiddle to the Ford Fiesta.
Next year could be a different story, as Civic, with a 3-car lineup in its corner, goes toe-to-toe with Focus for the top spot. There's a lot to like about both cars, so it'll be interesting to follow from afar.
Sadly, that's all North American fans will be able to do, as the UK-spec Civic and Focus are forbidden fruit this side of the pond.
(Press release with YTD sales numbers after the jump)
[Source: Honda UK] 19 June 2006
HONDA (ONDA) UP!
- Honda up 2% in a market that is 4% down
- Civic 5 door outsells the entire Civic range (2006 vs 2005)
- 6-10 month old Jazz retains 95% of value
- CR-V stays top of the SUV market
Leading the charge is the Swindon-built new Civic 5 door hatch, outselling the entire Civic range compared to this time last year. In the all important retail sector, reflecting real consumer choice, Civic 5 door is second in the entire sector, just behind the Ford Focus.
It's not just the car's radical styling that is attracting new customers. Residual values have set the car apart too. Last week at a BCA Measham auction the first batch of 6-10 month old Civics sold at an average of 97% of their original value.
"Demand is exceptional," explained Steve Martindale, Head of Company Vehicle Operations, "Civic represents a great ownership experience and that includes class leading residual values."
Honda intends to build on Civic 5 door success with the unveiling of a 3 door version at the London Motorshow. A Type R version will follow in spring 2007.
The British Built CR-V remains number 1 in the SUV segment, with combined sales of nearly 8,000 units.
The Jazz also proves itself as an 'evergreen'. Now in its fourth year the car continues to outperform the sector. Second in the sales charts (behind Fiesta) the car averaged 95% of its original value at the aforementioned BCA Measham auction.
Honda sales stats as of 16th June 2006:
Sales
Honda: 47,442
Jazz: 14,942
Civic 5dr: 16,397
Accord: 4,701
CR-V: 7,986
S2000: 416
05 Civic models: 967
Civic Hybrid/IMA: 293
FR-V: 1693
Other: 47
Honda Market Share 4.29%
Honda sales vs 2005 Up 1.9%
Total Market vs 2005 down 4.7%
