Category Archives: News

Honda CONNECT

Ready For The Road Ahead

Tips to Choose a Fuel-Efficient Car

When you are buying a new car, there are several things to consider. And for most of us, we want a car that has the highest petrol mileage. However, with so many options on the market, it can be difficult and overwhelming to decide on which one to buy.

To help you out, we’ve put together a list of tips to choose a fuel-efficient car. Remember selecting the right vehicle is important because it will determine how much money you spend on fuel every day.

The Best Fuel-Efficient Car of 2019

Our favorite fuel-efficient car of 2019 is the Honda Jazz.

The Honda Jazz is the perfect option if you are looking for a fuel-efficient car. It’s small but it’s fun to drive and it won’t bore you. It has plenty of space, and it’s full of useful tech features. Moreover, this popular Honda model is sold at an affordable price, and it returns 18 KMPL (kilometre per litre) in base petrol engine.

If for any reason the Honda Jazz doesn’t suit you, there are plenty of other fuel-efficient cars offered by Honda Malaysia you can choose from.

Tips to Choose a Fuel-Efficient Car

Define your Needs

Before buying a new car, it’s advisable to make a list of all your needs.

Ask yourself, “what do I need the car for?”

Based on your answer, choose the model that meets most if not all your needs. Otherwise, you could end up with a fuel-efficient problem.

Remember you have to consider certain things such as:

• Size of the car trunk. If you always carry a lot of things in your car, you need to consider which car trunk is right for you.
• Driving distance
• Family size

For example, if you need to drive your family of four, you will need a good subcompact vehicle such as the Honda HR-V that comes in 4 variants, including a hybrid version.

Keep in mind that the heavier the car, the higher fuel consumption it has.

Cylinder

If you want a fuel-efficient car, you need to know that the biggest savings in petrol will come from a four-cylinder engine rather than a six or eight-cylinder.

Honda Malaysia has several four-cylinder models:

• Honda HR-V
• Honda Accord
• Honda Civic
• Honda City
• Honda CR-V
• Honda Jazz
• Honda Odyssey
• Honda BR-V

Hybrid

When you are looking for fuel-efficient vehicles, an obvious option is hybrid models. Right now it is possible to find hybrid in different model types from compacts to SUVs.

Most of the time, you will pay a little bit more for a hybrid version but you will compensate for the cost with what you are going to save on petrol.

Honda Malaysia offers two hybrid models, namely the Honda Jazz and the Honda HR-V.

For example, with the Honda Jazz hybrid, you will spend only RM7.82 for a 40 kilometres drive.

Buy a New Car

Go for a new car if you want a fuel-efficient vehicle. Why? In the last couple of years, technology has helped improve petrol consumption. Newer cars have more efficient engines.

Additionally, it is key to properly maintain your vehicle so make sure you take your Honda to your nearest Honda Service Centre in Penang.

Tyres

Having the right tyres can improve petrol consumption by 5%. Always make sure your tyres are properly inflated to the right pressure as indicated in your car manual.

Moreover, poorly inflated tyres increase the risk of your vehicle losing control, and the risk of accident.

Takeaway

Honda Malaysia offers a wide variety of fuel-efficient models at amazing prices. The best thing to consider before buying a brand new car is to determine what your needs are. Once you figured them out, you will be able to choose the right Honda model for yourself. Remember Honda offers hybrid version if fuel consumption is your top priority.

Finally, a great way to improve fuel economy is changing your driving habits, and the challenge is, don’t speed. For example, when you lower your speed from 85 to 75 km/h, you can save about 10 percent of fuel.

Honda Malaysia Sold 44,200+ Cars in the First Half of 2019 in Malaysia

Once again, Honda Malaysia is the number 1 non-national automaker in the country, which sold 44,200 units of vehicles in the first six months of 2019, with May being the best selling month with 10,500 trades.

But there is more good news for Honda Malaysia because their year-to-date industry volume rests at 15.3 percent, placing the brand on the second position overall.

The Honda City is without a doubt the most popular vehicle with more than 15,000 units sold in the first half of 2019, which translates to 34 percent of the sales share. In other words, the Honda City is officially the most wanted B-segment car in Malaysia.

Here are the market leaders in their respective segments for May 2019:

• BR-V
• Jazz
• Civic
• City
• CR-V
• HR-V

Honda is so popular in Malaysia that buyers who book for the cars mentioned above have to wait around one or two months to get their new vehicle.

With this amazing results for Honda Malaysia in the first half of 2019, the director and CEO, Mr. Toichi Ishiyama said:

“I want to take this opportunity to thank all Malaysians for their continuous support and trust in the Honda brand. The first half of 2019 has been challenging but encouraging for us. The Civic reached a milestone of 130,000 units sold while the Jazz delivered the 100,000th unit to its owner.”

Mr. Toichi Ishiyama added that Honda is always innovating so they will continue to offer cars and products of good quality with the latest technology. Honda’s mission is to deliver the best to all its customers, bringing joy to every Honda owner.

There is no doubt that the Honda Civic and Jazz have become a favorite among Malaysians. With these models coupled with Honda impressive customer support, Honda Malaysia is hoping to achieve more in the second half of 2019.

Just like what Honda Malaysia’s new COO, Sarly Adle Sarkum said: “It has been a very exciting few weeks for me since I took office. I am impressed with the strong commitment and dedication of the team to bring Honda to greater heights in Malaysia. This has given me the confidence that we can take on the challenge to push our sales even further. We would like to thank all our customers for supporting our brand.”

To thank all their customers in Malaysia and to celebrate this amazing achievement, a Honda Malaysia Promotion was launched, namely the Tech Frontier Rewards. This Honda Promotion focuses on rewarding customers and getting them familiar with Honda’s Next Generation Advanced Technology, specifically Honda SENSING, Turbo, and Sport Hybrid i-DCD.

The Honda Malaysia promotion offers a Honda bonus, Tech Month bonus, and a gift with a value of up to RM5,000. This exclusive gift applies to all models except the Civic Type-R, and it is available until September 30, 2019.

d

Why Choose Honda Malaysia?

It is not surprising that Honda Malaysia is the leading manufacturer in the Non-National segment and second overall with 15.33 percent contribution in the Total Industry Volume (TIV), because of the many benefits they offer, including:

• Safety: One of Honda’s top priorities is the safety of all passengers inside the vehicle. All Honda models have earned a Top Safety Pick, including Honda Civic, Honda CR-V, Honda Odyssey, Honda Fit and more.
• The right size: There is a Honda vehicle for every family. It doesn’t matter if you are a family of two or a family of eight, you can choose a Honda.
• Value: Honda cars are reliable, which means they hold on to their value for many years. When you buy a Honda, you are making a great investment.
• Eco-friendly: Honda cares about the environment and that’s why their vehicles are fuel-efficient and they are always working on new technologies to make their cars more eco-friendly.

Celebrate with us and take advantage of the Honda Malaysia Promotion. I am sure there is a Honda waiting to fit your needs and preferences.

CBU or CKD Cars: What Are The Differences?

When you are thinking about buying a new car, you may have encountered terms like “CBU” and “CKD”. But what exactly do they mean?

Before explaining the terms, it is worth mentioning that both CBU and CKD terminologies do not possess any difference in terms of technicalities.

All cars are made at their respective company manufacturing plants. And when car manufacturers want to export their vehicles to other countries, the vehicles can be shipped in as a complete unit or in fragmented parts. It’s in this scenario where the concepts of CBU and CKD are used.

CBU stands for Complete Built-Up and CKD stands for Complete Knocked-Down.

CBU: Complete Built-Up

CBU refers to automobiles that are imported from or exported to some other country as a complete vehicle fully assembled. For example: When a car is completely built in the target country as a whole piece.

Remember CBU cars do not require any assembly plant in the target country.

A well-known CBU unit in Malaysia is the Honda Odyssey.

Things to remember about CBU:

• Imported as fully finished, assembled unit
• For non ASEAN countries, there is a higher import duty of 30%
• Purchase on release

CKD: Complete Knocked-Down

CKD cars require an assembly plant in the target country as the units are shipped to the target country as fragmented parts.

Incomplete CKD vehicles are first sent to an assembly plant in the target country where all the parts are assembled before the vehicles can be sold.

Some CKD cars in Malaysia include Honda Jazz, Honda City, Honda HR-V, Honda Civic, Honda CR-V, and Honda Accord.

Things to remember:

• Imported parts are assembled locally to become a CKD vehicle.
• Manufacturers may also use local content for parts like tires, windows, and headlights.
• Lower import duty: 10%
• Longer waiting time

The Price

As you may already noticed, the biggest difference between CBU and CKD units is the pricing. Why?

There is a 20% difference in import duty, and this will make a huge difference in what you pay for.

You can expect to pay up to RM15,000 to RM20,000 more on a CBU model. This difference in the import duty structure is because CBU does not create as much revenue and employment opportunities, in this case in Malaysia, than CKD units.

This however, has an exception. In fact, not all CBU vehicles come with a 30% tax. Because of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), there is no import duty on a CBU vehicle produced in an ASEAN country.

So in some cases, a CBU would come out cheaper than a CKD unit, because the unit is ASEAN assembled, which carry 0% import duty.

CKD units are encouraged because they bring technology to the target country, and infrastructure and labor investment, generating business and employment opportunities.

In most cases, manufacturers rarely offer both CBU and CKD versions of the same models of their cars at the same time.

Some drivers reckon there is a difference in the quality of the units between CBU and CKD vehicles, and they insist on paying more for a CBU car. Although there are some differences in specifications between the two, such as materials, finishing and workmanship, they are often minor.

 

Finally, you need to be patient if you want a CKD unit because new models of foreign cars are usually released as CBU first.

The CKD version will only be available in the market around 6 – 12 months later, replacing the earlier CBU unit.

It’s important to always ask your Honda dealer where your car was assembled before you decide to make a purchase.

Even if the car that you wish to buy is a CBU unit, you can save money with Honda Malaysia promotions that are always available for all types of models and variants.

Honda Sensing – Protecting the Driver with the Latest Safety Features

When you are on the road, you want to be safe. This is the main reason why Honda developed ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), or as more fondly referred to by Honda and its customers, Honda Sensing.

This new active safety system lowers the risk of collisions for many Honda drivers and passengers.

Let’s talk more about what exactly ADAS is.

 

Honda Sensing

Honda Sensing, also known as Advanced Driver Assistance, (ADAS) is a list of active safety system.

The main function of Honda Sensing? It assists the driver to minimize the risk of accidents.

Although the system makes it possible for Honda drivers to minimize accidents, drivers should still always pay attention, wear their seat belts and of course never drive recklessly.

It is a driver assistive technology designed to alert drivers from things they might miss on the road.

For example, it can alert a distracted driver of potential dangers, and in some cases, momentarily take over driving duties from the driver.

Honda sensing is so intelligent that it can automatically steer or brake the vehicle if you are not reacting fast enough.

Honda Sensing has two key components:

• A monocular camera mounted behind the rear view mirror
• A millimeter wave radar mounted beneath grille on the front bumper

These two key components work together to boost your safety while driving.

Till date, there are two Honda Models in Malaysia that are equipped with this technology: Honda CR-V and Honda Accord.

 

Honda Sensing Features

The features within Honda Sensing include:

Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)

CMBS can help bring your Honda to a stop if the system determines that a collision in front of you is unavoidable.

The Collision Mitigation Braking system comes integrated with FCW (Forward Collision Warning), which uses a small camera mounted at the top of the front windshield to detect any vehicles in front of you.

If you are at risk of a collision with a detected vehicle, the FCW will activate audio and visual alerts, if you don’t act, the CMBS will automatically apply brake pressure.

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

The Lane Departure Warning in Honda Sensing steps in when the driver strays out of the lane without signaling. It works at speeds between 72 km/h and 180 km/h.

The great thing about Honda LDW system is that it is really good for the traffic conditions in Malaysia, because it is better at judging when your steering inputs are intentional and when they aren’t.

LDW will know if you are making an intentional move and won’t interfere.

When LDW system is triggered, it would alert you with flash and sound, and if you don’t react it would turn the steering wheel to bring the car back into the centre of the lane.

 

Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)

The Lane Keeping Assist System helps the driver to keep the car in the centre of the lane. It operates at speeds between 72 km/h and 180 km/h.

LKAS constantly adjusts the steering wheel angle, with the help of the monocular camera that detects paint white lines on the road.

It will activate when the driver is not holding onto the steering wheel for more than 15 seconds.

Keep in mind that both LDW and LKAS can be permanently disabled.

Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)

RDM is an extension of LDW. It detects solid white lines on the left side of the road.

If the vehicle is close to the edge of the road, it will correct the steering wheel, and if necessary it will apply the brakes as well.

Note that CMBS and RDM are always active in the background as default.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

When the ACC detects slowing traffic ahead, by using a millimeter wave radar mounted on the lower side of the front bumper, the system reduces the vehicle’s preset cruise control speed.

Low Speed Follow (LSF)

Another function of ACC is LSF. LSF is useful for stop-and-go traffic.

All you have to do is preset the maximum speed and distance, and the LSF will simply follow the vehicle in front.

LSF is able to brake to a complete stop if necessary.

As you can see, one of Honda’s top priorities is the safety of the driver and passengers, and this is true for all Honda models.

Just take a look at all the Honda models that have earned a Top Safety Pick, such as Honda Accord, Honda Odyssey, Honda Civic, Honda Jazz and Honda CR-V.

Besides the many safety benefits Honda offers, you can be sure you will find a great Honda Malaysia promotion to buy your new car.

For example, the new Honda Odyssey price in Malaysia starts at RM254,800 and the Honda Civic at RM108,165.

So check out your nearest Honda dealership and see that there is always a Honda for you.

Used Cars or Brand New Honda Cars?

When you decided to buy a new car, for example, the brand new Honda City, many would tell you that you should buy a used Honda City instead.

Among some of the reasons are used cars are cheaper, and the insurance premium that comes with is also lower.

But is buying used car really cheap?

Besides having a lower price tag, used cars require higher maintenance and repair fees shall anything breaks down (think gearbox and engine), and a much higher interest rate (almost double) for hire purchase.

Moreover, it will be a complete disaster if you happen to purchase a flooded vehicle, which is proven to give the owner a lot of headache even after repair is done (apparently, water and wiring/electricity don’t mix well).

Why it’s a good idea to buy a new car?

Exactly what you wanted

When you decided to buy a brand new car, you know exactly what you want and what you gonna get.

You’ve checked out the vehicle specifications on the Honda website, visited the showroom (Malaysia Honda Dealership), and felt what it’s like to sit in the car you choose.

Once you buy the car, you can expect to have a new car exactly what you expected — the smell, the sitting position, tip top condition, etc.

Unlike buying a used car, due to many uncertainty, you might not get a vehicle of what you expected.

Cost

Yes, new cars cost more (actually not that much once you factor in other calculations), but the value you get over long term, not just monetarily, can be much higher. For example, Honda City price Malaysia starts from RM 73,836.

Your bank is much more likely to give you a loan for a brand new car than for a used car. Plus new cars get better interest rates.

And you know that the lower the better, because that rate will stick with you for 5, 7 or even 9 years.

 

Reliability

Maybe the most important reason is that you want to get a car that wouldn’t break down. Buying a brand new Honda car sets you free from any repair issues, so you can save a lot of time and money.

Note that all new Honda vehicles come with a 5-year warranty to offer car owners a worry-free car ownership experience.

And that’s why many are willing to pay slightly more for certainty and peace of mind.

The majority of us have enough stuff going on in our life, and constantly worrying about the car is the last thing we want.

Petrol mileage

With petrol prices going up, we know that new models are more fuel efficient. Right now for example, the Honda City and Honda Jazz bring Econ Mode and Eco Assistant to improve fuel efficiency with the push of a button.

This no doubt, will be an important factor determining the value of a car over the long term.

 

Warranty

New cars come with a warranty, which offers car owners complete peace of mind.

Honda cars come with a 5-year warranty directly from the manufacturer, which means you can bring your vehicle to any Malaysia Honda Dealership if any issues arise.

On the other hand, used cars come with uncertainty — you may not have access to the maintenance log and accident records, and all you depend on is how well the previous owner cared for the vehicle.

 

Depreciation

Depreciation is without a doubt the number 1 reason why many people consider buying a used car. But depreciation is not what it used to be anymore.

The prices of new cars have dropped, and with several Honda Malaysia promotions going on, many buyers managed to grab a promotion and made buying a brand new honda car a perfect deal.

Plus with new cars, buyers are able to save a big amount on hire purchase interest rates, which can translate to thousands of Ringgit over the entire course of car ownership.

For example, the Honda Jazz price Malaysia starts from RM 70,242; Honda City price Malaysia starts from RM73,836 with a 5-year warranty.

So nowadays, does it still make sense to buy a used car over a new one?

 

In short

Buying a used car might save you money upfront, but over the long term it can cost you more.

You may want to consider spending a little more for a brand new car and avoid the risks of car repair, higher interest rates, etc.

Before making your decision, check out Honda Malaysia promotions and find out how much you can save.

National Automotive Policy: Will it affect Honda car buyers in Malaysia?

The Malaysian government reviews the national automotive policy from time to time, and is contemplating imposing conditions on the import of foreign vehicles. While the country is in favor of free trade, certain conditions are still in discussion.

Do you know that the Malaysia automotive industry contributes about RM40 billion of Malaysia’s GDP? At the same time, the industry employs more than 700,000 people nationwide, comprises 27 OEMs (vehicle manufacturers), and has established an estimated 53,000 aftermarket and over 600 part and component suppliers?

It’s a huge market and industry. In fact, the Malaysian automotive industry is the third largest in Southeast Asia, with an annual production of more than 500,000 vehicles.

Although the automotive industry in Malaysia primarily serves domestic demand, and only a several thousand vehicles are exported annually, the export of parts and components that are made in Malaysia had grown over the years, and they are a huge contributor to Malaysia GDP (over RM11 billion).

2014 was the last time a review was done on the policy, but the condition of the automotive sector has since changed a lot, not only in Malaysia but globally. This time around, the National Automotive Policy will review additional elements in terms of promoting electric and hybrid cars.

**The policy will cover all areas of the automotive industry, from supply chain, human capital and development of charging facilities.

One thing’s for sure: the National Automotive Policy has created uncertainty, especially whether the government decides to maintain the Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) programme that provides incentives for fuel efficient, hybrid and electric vehicles.

What is the definition of Energy Efficient Vehicles?

Energy Efficient Vehicles are vehicles that meet a set of define specification in terms of carbon emission level (g/km) and fuel consumption (l/100km).

For example, Honda Jazz hybrid produces 1.8 litre naturally aspirated levels of output and has fuel consumption of 4.0 litres per 100 kilometers. The Honda Jazz hybrid price in Malaysia starts from RM76,316 depending on the model.

In 2018, 18,754 hybrid cars were sold, compared to 13,650 units in 2017. So it will be great if the Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV) programme continues to support all industry players.

Will National Automotive Policy affect Honda car buyers?

The simple answer is no. This is because Honda Motor Company sell both imported and locally assembled units in Malaysia. Moreover, Honda has 21 percent market share and is one of the top selling foreign brands in Malaysia.

Honda car assembly plant in Pegoh has been operating since 2003. At this moment, they are producing seven models:

• Honda Accord
• Honda Civic
• Honda City
• Honda CRV
• Honda Jazz
• Honda HRV
• Honda BRV

Besides, it also assembles hybrid variants of the Jazz and City respectively, with the Jazz hybrid being the first in the class to be manufactured in Malaysia.

Additionally, various Honda Malaysia promotions are available from time to time for new Honda vehicles. This includes goodies such as Honda rewards, exclusive gifts, cash rebates, making Honda cars extremely attractive among Malaysian buyers.

For after sales service, with a wide network of Honda service centers in Malaysia, Honda car buyers are best known for enjoying superior services and total peace of mind when it comes to vehicle maintenance.

The National Automotive Policy is still pending for further announcements, and we will have to wait to learn more about it. Let’s hope that the Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV) programme continues to support all industry players and increase the use of Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV).

Honda Civic: Go for 1.5L Turbo or 1.8L Model?

The Honda Civic doesn’t need an introduction, everybody loves this car. The Civic is perfect for any type of drivers. Regardless of age, we all enjoy driving the Honda Civic.

Here in Malaysia, you can choose from two engine versions, namely the 1.5L Turbo or 1.8L model. Both have an amazing design that will definitely capture your attention. They have a sporty look, almost like a race car even though they are a sedan with a spacious boot.

In addition, Honda Service Centres in Malaysia provide a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, and servicing and maintenance is only needed for every 10,000 kilometres or every 6 months, whichever comes first. This is applicable for both models, with five times alternate free labour for servicing.

Let’s talk more about the main differences between Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo and 1.8L Model.

Honda Civic 1.8L

The Honda Civic 1.8L price in Malaysia start at RM 110,426 and there are five colours available: Crystal Black Pearl, Dark Ruby Red Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, White Orchid Pearl and Lunar Silver Metallic.

The road tax for this Honda model is higher than the Honda Civic 1.5L due to its 1.8 litre engine. The yearly payment is RM280.00.

The Civic 1.8 is powered by 1.8-litre engine that will give you a range of over 500 kilometres on a full tank of petrol. It produces 138hp and 174 Nm of torque and 141 PS, and it goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 10.4 seconds.

Mileage service and maintenance is due every 10,000 km or every 6 months (whichever comes first) and it can be done at your near Honda Service Centre in Malaysia. The cost of mileage service and maintenance for this Honda Civic 1.8L model goes from RM216.50 for the 10,000km or 6 months service to RM1,039 for the 200,000k or 120 months service.

Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo

Malaysians buyers can choose from Honda Civic 1.5L TC with a starting price of RM124,076 and 1.5L TC-P with a starting price of RM131,883.

They both have the same specifications, but the Honda Civic 1.5L TC-P has:

• LED headlamps & LED fog lamps
• Chrome door handles
• Dual zone air-con
• Navigation

As mentioned, the road tax for Honda Civic 1.5L is lower than the 1.8L version and the yearly payment is only RM90.00.

The 1.5 version comes with 1.5L DOHC VTEC Turbo engine, a CVT gearbox paddle, 173 PS, 220 Nm, and it goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.2 seconds. Official fuel consumption figure is 17.2 km/L.

Like the Honda Civic 1.8L version, the mileage service and maintenance is due every 10,000 kilometres or every 6 months, whichever comes first. The cost of mileage service and maintenance for this Honda Civic 1.5L model goes from RM 63.60 for the 10,000km or 6 months service to RM 715.11 for the 200,000km or 120 months service.

Other things to consider before buying your new Honda Civic are the Pros and Cons of Turbo.

Turbo Pros

• Increase in Power
• More Efficiency
• Improve fuel economy as much as 20-40%
• Quieter

Turbo Cons

• Turbo Lag
• Boost Threshold
• Need engine lubrication

No matter which car you choose, both cars are amazing, and both get the new Remote Engine Start, Honda’s signature touch panel air condition control, cruise control and a 7-inch advanced display audio that features Bluetooth, MP3 and IPOD connectivity, as well as USB & HDMI ports.

Moreover, both cars have six airbags, vehicle stability assist, anti lock braking system, electronic brake distribution, auto brake hold, brake assist and many other safety features.

Before making up your mind, make sure to check out the latest Honda Malaysia promotion so you can save money and enjoy your new ride! See you at the nearest Honda showroom soon.