Mazda, Toyota, Honda Vows to Spend on R&D Even as Profits Plunge

Hard hit by production stoppages and weakening sales, some carmakers have turned to conserving cash as means to ride out the coronavirus pandemic; but not for Mazda, as well as Toyota and Honda. These automakers intend to continue spending and developing next-generation technologies.

A report out of Automotive News (subscription required) says these three automakers are keeping their focus squarely at the long-term. Mazda which booked a net loss of USD 20.3 billion, and a 20 percent decline in global sales (January to March 2020) says they will continue to set up their development game. Quoting Akira Koga, Mazda senior managing executive officer:

“We will not relent in our investment in development and facility for our future growth. We will continue and step it up.”

These sentiments are echoed by Toyota President Akio Toyota. Despite suffering an 86 percent net income tumble, he suggested that it’s shortsighted of companies to cut back on advanced research or programs to save money in the short term. He said:

“I sense that there seems to be much talk about a V-shaped turnaround. By deciding to stop various things, an individual company can turn its results around. It bothers me that such action often seems to be praised. That’s not right. This is how I feel.”

Honda CEO Takahiro Hachigo feels the same way.

“In order to survive, we will continue to invest in the next-generation technologies at all cost. We have no intention of scaling it down.”

For fiscal year 2020-2021, Toyota will actually increase its R&D outlay from 3.7 to 4.6 percent of revenue. Meanwhile, despite selling just 1.42 million vehicles compared to Toyota’s 10.46 million, Mazda will spend 3.9 percent of its revenue on R&D. And while Honda hasn’t released a figure, last year, it funneled 5.5 percent of its revenue into future technologies.

This kind of thinking contrasts with other carmakers such as Ford and General Motors which have previously announced cutbacks to its long-term technological investments. It remains to be seen what road other Japanese carmakers such as Nissan and Mitsubishi will take.

More Honda Cars PH Dealerships Resume Operations Today

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), announces the resumption of its dealer sales and after-sales operations starting May 16, 2020. Complete schedule and dealer contact details are available in the image below.

To ensure the overall well-being of customers and dealer associates, Honda Cars dealerships will implement strict health and safety protocols. This includes daily inspection and sanitation in high activity areas, such as the showroom floor, vehicle delivery, vehicle maintenance and repairs, and business transaction areas.

All customers and dealer associates will be scanned for body temperature before entering the dealership premises. Those with a body temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius and above will not be allowed to enter.

Customers will be required to wear face masks while inside the dealership and must sanitize their hands before entering and while inside the dealership premises. Hand sanitizers will be available at strategic locations. Dealer associates will be required to wear prescribed PPEs.

Social distancing (at least one (1) meter apart) shall be observed throughout the dealership premises (showroom, service reception, customer lounges, cashiers, etc.). All common areas will have demarcation lines to ensure this is strictly followed.

Given the various community quarantine guidelines implemented nationwide, dealerships located in areas under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) may have limited operating capacity once operations resume. With this, customers who plan to visit the dealership for sales or after-sales services are highly encouraged to contact their respective dealerships and schedule an appointment.  This is to ensure that customer related matters would be efficiently addressed by dealerships as operations transition to the “new normal”.

Honda Cars PH Implements Strict Health, Safety Guidelines at Dealerships

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), is resuming dealer sales and aftersales operations starting May 4, 2020, at selected Honda Cars Dealerships located in General Community Quarantine (GCQ) areas.

Aside from disinfecting its dealership facilities, HCPI is now implement safety protocols across at these dealerships, and others once the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) is lifted to ensure the health and safety of customers and dealer associates.

All customers and dealer associates will be scanned for body temperature before entering the dealership premises. Those with a body temperature of 38 degrees Celsius and above will not be allowed to enter.

Customers must wear face masks while inside the dealership and must sanitize their hands before entering and while inside the dealership premises. Hand sanitizers will be available at strategic locations. Dealer associates will be required to wear prescribed PPEs.

Social distancing (at least 1 meter apart) shall be observed throughout the dealership premises (showroom, service reception, customer lounges, cashiers, etc.). All common areas will have demarcation lines to ensure this is strictly followed.

Customers who plan to have their vehicles undergo Periodic Maintenance Service or avail of other aftersales services should contact their respective dealerships and schedule an appointment. This will not only help limit the number of people within dealership premises but will also help Honda dealers to efficiently address the needs of customers during these uncertain times.

Honda PH Salutes Service Heroes

With the entire country on quarantine because of the COVID-19 pandemic, mobility in the country is practically at a standstill. Lockdowns and quarantines have reduced mobility by up to 88 percent as people were mandated to stay at home.

Other than some essential services remaining open such as food delivery and medical needs, the e-commerce industry is booming since its services help people buy what they need online and have it delivered right to their homes, thereby making delivery couriers important front liners as well.

Locally, riders from motorcycle taxi-hailing apps have shifted their services from providing transportation for people to delivering food and other essential goods allowing riders to continue making a living even in the face of the pandemic.

But more than just providing a means of livelihood, these riders are providing an important lifeline to many people forced to stay home through the delivery of food and medicines, not to mention aiding in the government’s efforts in keeping human interaction as minimal as possible.

Of course, these riders maintain safety precautions imposed by quarantine guidelines, like wearing face masks and gloves, and being equipped with alcohol and other hygiene essentials, which were also a requirement by their own courier companies.

The number one motorcycle brand in the Philippines, Honda joins the country as it works to meet the challenges posed by the global health crisis through the work of delivery riders in ensuring the transportation of essential goods and services.

“I am proud to see that our motorcycles have become indispensable and are being used with a great purpose. A purpose of keeping people safe at home and encouraging social distancing, during this crisis.  We also commend the effort of our Hero Riders as they offer courage and aid during this crisis.” said Susumu Mitsuishi, President of Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI).

According to HPI, this adheres to its  One Dream campaign, which is helping fulfill people’s dreams while experiencing the joy of mobility and in today’s reality, provide a safer way for people staying home to still access badly needed necessities.

Honda Cars PH Lends 15 Vehicles for Medical Front Liners

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) has lent out 15 cars to medical front liners who are battling the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

HCPI provided various models of the cars comprising of the City, Brio, Jazz, Mobilio, BR-V, HR-V, and CR-V models, to doctors and nurses of various hospitals including: the New Sinai MDI Hospital in Tagapo, Santa Rosa, Laguna; The Medical City South Luzon in Santa Rosa, Laguna; Unihealth-Southwoods Hospital and Medical Center in Biñan, Laguna; Westlake Medical Center in San Pedro, Laguna; and, the Carmona Hospital and Medical Center in Carmona, Cavite.

Honda will be providing each car with free gasoline good for one month.

Brush Up on Honda's History with This Manga-Style Web Series

For those stuck at home during this period of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, why don’t you use this opportunity to brush up on a bit of automotive history. Honda is now making the Honda Origins available on its website or via YouTube.

Using Japanese-style manga drawings with audio and historic photographs, Honda Origins retraces the life of company founder Soichiro Honda. The audio-visual journey from the beginnings of Honda through to its achievements and legacy has 6 episodes lasting between 10 to 20 minutes.

Honda tells its story in the unique and iconic style of Japanese comic books. The series uses the original manga comic “Honda Soichiro Hon Den”, published by Shogakukan Inc., to interweave the founder's life and unique philosophy on life and business with the evolution of the company from its origins to the world-famous multinational that it is today.

The first episode of the series, “Bouncing Back”, tells how Soichiro Honda came through the Second World War (1939–1945), to found the Honda Technical Research Institute in 1946 in the city of Hamamatsu, launching his journey with a generator engine attached to a bicycle. This venture, together with Takeo Fujisawa, became the Honda Motor Company two years later in 1948.

The other chapters (A Dream is Born; Crisis on the Way to the Isle of Man Declaration; American Advance; Veni, Vidi, Vici: We Hate to Lose) portray keys moments of his life and values, and the history of the company, making special reference to Honda's commitment to motorcycles, cars, and racing. One of the most important values highlighted in the series is perseverance and learning from failure; this is embodied by a quotation from Soichiro Honda that defines the spirit of the company: “Success represents the 1 percent of your work which results from the 99 percent that is called failure”.

The last chapter in the series (Epilogue) recounts the company's beginnings as a multinational through its expansion in the United States, and ends shortly afterwards with the joint retirement of Honda’s two founders on the same day.

This entertaining series can be watched on Honda’s Global Page or via YouTube.

GM Will Engineer, Make Honda's New Electric Vehicles

General Motors and Honda are jointly developing two all-new electric vehicles for Honda, based on GM’s global EV platform and powered by the American carmaker’s proprietary Ultium batteries.

The exterior and interior of the new EVs will be exclusively designed by Honda, and the platform will be engineered, GM promises, to support Honda’s sporty driving character. Production will be done at GM plants in North America with sales starting sometime 2024 for U.S. and Canada.

GM and Honda have an ongoing relationship around electrification. This includes work on fuel cells and the Cruise Origin, an electric, self-driving, and shared vehicle, which was revealed in San Francisco earlier this year. Honda also joined GM’s battery module development efforts in 2018.

As part of the agreement to jointly develop electric vehicles, Honda will incorporate GM’s OnStar safety and security services into the two EVs, seamlessly integrating them with HondaLink. Additionally, Honda plans to make GM’s hands-free advanced driver-assist technology available.

Honda Cars PH Welcomes New President

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. welcomes Mr. Masahiko Nakamura as its new president, effective April 1, 2020. He will replace Mr. Noriyuki Takakura who will transfer to Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (HATC).

Since 2016, Mr. Nakamura has held deputy general manager positions in various divisions at the Honda Motor Co., Ltd. headquarters in Japan, gaining expertise in sales, business strategy, and marketing. Overall, Mr. Nakamura has more than 30 years of experience in Honda automobile operations.

The new HCPI top executive looks forward to sharing his expertise with the local team as he hopes to steer Honda’s automobile business through a challenging and evolving automotive landscape.

Honda's Design Recognized at Red Dot 2020 Awards

Honda’s gotten its design mojo back and proving it are three awards at the Red Dot awards including the highest honor—the Red Dot: Best of the Best.

Receiving the Red Dot 2020 for Smart Product Design as well as Red Dot 2020 Best of the Best Car Design is the first-ever Honda e—Honda’s first-ever full electric vehicle. Designed for urban environments, the Honda e was recognized for its signature front and rear LED lights and its glass charging port cover set in a unique black concave panel.

Before making its debut as a production vehicle, the Honda e was recognized as Best Concept Car in 2017 by the Car Design Awards.

Meanwhile, another Honda—this time its CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP motorcycle also received recognition in the Smart Product Design category highlighting its “design without compromise” approach. In particular, the jurors recognized its best-in-class drag co-efficient thanks to learnings from the MotoGP.

The CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP was designed with an innovative new approach in which Honda R&D’s digital simulation experts, clay modelers, and styling sketch designers worked with a continuous, almost simultaneous feedback loop to create the maximum effect in the shortest possible development time.

The annual Red Dot awards honor excellence across product, brand, and communication design from international businesses. The winning products are decided by a judging panel comprised of 40 international experts who test, evaluate, and discuss each entry.

Honda has a long history of success in the automotive section of the Red Dot awards, among the most prestigious and sought-after awards in the world. Other recent successes include the Honda S2000 in 2001 and Civic in 2006 for “Red Dot: Best of the Best,” and European Accord Tourer in 2008 and Insight in 2009 for “Red Dot”.

Honda Automobile (China) Will Cease to Exist by April

After the closure of its assembly plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna, as well as the plant that makes the Civic Type R, Honda is continuing to consolidate its global manufacturing footprint with the announcement that Honda Automobile (China) will cease to exist by April.

Honda’s first Chinese automobile production plant dedicated for export, Honda Automobile (China) will now be folded into GAC Honda Automobile—a joint-venture between Honda and Guangzhou Automobile Group.  As a result of this merger, Honda Automobile (China) will now officially be renamed, Guangzhou Development District Factory of GAC Honda.

Under its new name, the plant will begin producing Accord for the China domestic market starting in April, while continuing to produce and export the City model for the Mexican market.

With the addition of the 50,000-unit production capacity of this plant, GAC Honda will now be able to produce 770,000 units annually.

Honda Cars is Extending Its Warranty During Period of Enhanced Community Quarantine

Good news to all Honda car owners who may have their Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) scheduled or warranty expiring during the Enhanced Community Quarantine: Honda Cars Philippines has just announced an extension for both of them.

Valuing their customers’ safety and health, the Japanese carmaker is giving Honda vehicles nationwide (yes, including areas not covered by the Enhanced Community Quarantine) a 30-day grace period from the PMS schedule date.

Furthermore, customers whose warranty will lapse within the quarantine period will also given a 30-day extension, subject to Honda’s warranty guidelines.

Honda Overtakes Mazda as Most Fuel-Efficient Carmaker

If you’re looking for the most fuel-efficient full-line automaker, look no further than Honda. In its annual EPA Automotive Trends Report, the U.S.-based Environmental Protection Agency or EPA says Honda had the highest fleet average fuel economy of any major fuel-line automaker for the MY2018 model year, the latest year for which full data is available.

Discounting Tesla which had an all-electric line-up, Honda ranked first among full-line automakers with a U.S. fleet average “real world” fuel economy of 12.75 km/L—a five-year improvement of 1.19 km/L, and 2.08 km/L above the industry average. They also had the biggest five-year improvement. Surprisingly, Subaru and Mazda are tied at second place with a corporate average of 12.20 km/L. Hyundai is fourth, with Kia in fifth.

This is how car brands measure up:

Interestingly, the EPA notes that in the past ten-year period, vehicles have increased in horsepower (14 percent). That said, fuel economy is still up 30 percent, while emissions are down 23 percent. And despite the increasing size and standard equipment of modern cars, their curb weight has been generally constant. 2018 though did see the highest rise in average new vehicle weight due to increased safety standard requirements.

The EPA notes that carmakers have taken various steps to curb their car’s fuel consumption. Among the technologies that they’ve used are turbocharging, direct-injection, cylinder deactivation, idle start/stop, and of course, electrification. Moreover, more and more carmakers are adopting CVTs to improve fuel efficiency.

For the MY2018 model year, this is how carmakers shape up in terms of drivetrain technologies:

Note: CVT (Continously Variable Transmission), CD (Cylinder Deactivitaion), PHEV/EV/FCV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle/Electric Vehicle/Fuel Cell Vehicle).

Finally, the EPA also notes the increased consumer preference towards car-based SUVs and truck-based SUVs.

Combined, they account for 46 percent of the total U.S. market in 2018. Thankfully, carmakers have been registering improvements to their fuel economy. This is how each type of vehicle stacks up:

• Sedan/Wagons – 30.8 MPG (13.09 km/L)
• Car-based SUV – 27.3 MPG (11.60 km/L)
• Truck-based SUV – 23.1 MPG (9.82 km/L)
• Minivans/Vans – 22.8 MPG (9.69 km/L)
• Pickup Trucks – 19.1 MPG (8.12 km/L)

Honda Cars PH Discounts Current City as All-New Model Looms

If you’re a fan of the current Honda City, this may be your last chance to snag one with some hefty discounts.

With Honda Cars Philippines shutting down its Sta. Rosa, Laguna assembly plant, Honda’s very own labor union confirmed that the City stopped production there as of February 1, 2020. This means stocks will become limited until the arrival of the next-generation City from Thailand, which should be pretty soon from the looks of things.

That being said, if you’re in the market for a brand-new City, now may be the right time to get one. With Honda extending its Drive to 2020 promotion, the City 1.5 VX Navi CVT is now just P 963,000! If you want something bigger, say a 7-seater SUV, the Philippine-made BR-V 1.5 V is now just P 1.125 million.

If these two formerly Made in the Philippines models aren’t your thing, the CR-V Touring Diesel is still available and it comes with a hefty P 107,000 cash discount (and a P 10,000 fuel voucher as well), while the Brio 1.2 S M/T is available with a P 28,000 all-in low downpayment.

For financing customers, the City 1.5 VX Navi CVT, BR-V 1.5 V CVT, and Brio 1.2 S M/T are all available through a 10 percent special all-in cash-out with payment terms of 36 up to 60 months through BPI Family Savings Bank, RCBC, Security Bank Corporation, China Bank Savings, and Bank of Commerce only.

The CR-V Touring Diesel 9AT is available through 15 percent or 20 percent low net cash out with payment terms of 36 up to 60 months through BPI Family Savings Bank, RCBC, Security Bank Corporation, East West Banking Corporation, Philippine National Bank, Philippine Savings Bank, China Bank Savings, Bank of Commerce, Sterling Bank of Asia, Maybank Philippines Inc., BDO Unibank, Inc., United Coconut Planters Bank, and Robinsons Bank only.

Other financing promo option offers are the Free One Month Amortization, available for 60 months payment term only and the Low Monthly Amortization, available for 15 percent and 20 percent all-in downpayment for 36 to 60 months payment term.

All these offers include three (3) year LTO Registration and Chattel Mortgage. Free one (1) year Comprehensive Insurance with Acts of Nature is also available through select bank partners.

Displaced Honda Workers Can Work in Construction Says Malacañang

Malacañang says that Honda Cars Philippines’s decision to shut down its assembly will just have a “minimal impact” on the Philippine economy.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo expressed confidence that the country’s robust economy will not slow down due to HCPI’s decision to close its production plant starting in March.

Despite the latest development, there are still some foreign companies that are investing in the country, Panelo stressed.

“Siguro, minimal lang yun. Ang dami namang kumpanyang pumapasok [Perhaps, the economic impact is just minimal. There are many foreign companies that are coming in],” he said in an interview with AM radio station, dziQ.

Around 387 people will lose their jobs over the closure of HCPI’s production plant. This figure comes from labor group Defend Job Philippines which was quoted by the Philippine News Agency.

Panelo said Honda workers who will be left displaced can apply to the government through its infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program.

“They have to look for another job. Kaya nga may mga ‘Build, Build, Build’ projects, para ‘yung ibang mga nadi-displace, makakapasok sila ng trabaho [That’s why we have ‘Build, Build, Build’ projects, so we can help those displaced workers to find a new job],” he said.

For HCPI’s part, spokesperson Atty. Louie Soriano assures that all those affected by the closure will be given separation packages that is “more than what the law provides.”

Honda Cars PH to Stop Local Assembly

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc., which produces the BR-V and City, announced today, that it will stop production operations in its plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, effective March 2020.

The decision to halt production there ends 28 years of production at the facility which currently employs 650 associates and represents a P 1.9 billion investment.

To meet Honda’s customer needs in the Philippines for reasonably priced and good quality products, Honda considered efficient allocation and distribution of resources. As such, after consideration of optimization efforts in the production operations in Asia and Oceania region, Honda decided to close the manufacturing operations of HCPI.

HCPI will continue its automobile sales and after-sales service operation in the Philippines, through the utilization of Honda’s Asia and Oceania regional network.

Honda will continue providing highly attractive products to its customers in the Philippines and continue contributing to the local society, which has been an ongoing effort for the last 50 years since Honda was established in the Philippines.

Bored at the Office? Play this Free, Browser-Based Game from Honda

Monday blues got you down? Well, worry not. Honda’s turned your web browser into a mobile gaming platform with its “Beat That!” driving video game (click here to try it out). The best part is since it runs on HTML5, there’s absolutely nothing to install—all you need is a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.

Free to play on desktop and mobile devices, “Beat That” lets players race in one 6 vehicles from Honda’s premium brand, Acura. Each Acura vehicle offers its own unique driving character and performance attributes, ranging from the 1991 NSX to the Acura’s latest design, the Type S Concept.

“Beat That” is the first mobile racing game where visuals from each individual level match the styles that were prevalent in games from that specific car’s era. As the game progresses, so do the years featured in the graphic treatments and music.

Beating a specific lap time unlocks the next level of the game for racing. Once a player completes a lap, they can challenge a friend to “Beat That”, by completing a lap at a faster time. With 6 tracks in total, it blends everything from 8-bit to some more photorealistic, akin to today’s modern driving games.

You can check the game out for yourself here (if you have access to Facebook games, you can check it here) and for those who’re planning to play this in their office, don’t worry—the audio is muted by default so you can actually pretend to be working.

This February, the Honda BR-V is More Affordable Than Either the Xpander or Rush

Honda Cars Philippines is continuing its offers on the City, BR-V, Brio, and CR-V this February with their “Drive to 2020” promo. Aside from cash discounts, some models are now available with an all-in low downpayment as low as P 10,000.

The following models are part of the Drive to 2020 promo:

• City 1.5 VX+ Navi CVT: P 24,000 cash discount or P 10,000 all-in downpayment
• BR-V 1.5 S CVT: P 30,000 cash discount or P 10,000 all-in downpayment
• Brio 1.2 S MT: P 28,000 all-in downpayment
• CR-V V Diesel 9AT: P 75,000 cash discount or P 35,000 all-in downpayment

Putting some perspective into this deal, the City 1.5 VX+ Navi CVT—the top-of-the-line variant is now just P 1,044,000 (from P 1,065,000) making it priced close to the Toyota Vios 1.5 G (SRP). Meanwhile, the BR-V 1.5 S CVT’s discount price of P 1,005,000 makes it more affordable than the top-the-line Mitsubishi Xpander or Toyota Rush.

The City 1.5 VX+ Navi CVT, BR-V 1.5 S CVT, and Brio 1.2 S MT are all available through a 10 percent special all-in cash-out with payment terms of 36 up to 60 months through BPI Family Savings Bank, RCBC, Security Bank Corporation, China Bank Savings, and Bank of Commerce only.

Meanwhile, the CR-V V Diesel 9AT is available through 15 percent or 20 percent low net cash out with payment terms of 36 up to 60 months through BPI Family Savings Bank, RCBC, Security Bank Corporation, East West Banking Corporation, Philippine National Bank, Philippine Savings Bank, China Bank Savings, Bank of Commerce, Sterling Bank of Asia, Maybank Philippines Inc., BDO Unibank, Inc., United Coconut Planters Bank, and Robinsons Bank only.

Other financing promo option offers are the Free One Month Amortization, available for 60 months payment term only and the Low Monthly Amortization, available for 15 percent and 20 percent all-in downpayment for 36 to 60 months payment term.

All these offers include three (3) year LTO Registration and Chattel Mortgage. Free one (1) year Comprehensive Insurance with Acts of Nature is also available through select bank partners.

Mini, Honda Triumph at World's Most Dangerous Race

Carlos Sainz and his co-driver Lucas Cruz have won the Rally Dakar for the third time, having previously triumphed in 2010 and 2018. In doing so, they presented Mini with its fifth overall victory at the iconic endurance rally.

Dakar record winner Stéphane Peterhansel and his co-driver Paulo Fiuza finished third to round off an impressive performance from the two Mini JCW Buggies. The two Mini JCW Buggy crews each won four stages, while Mini vehicles went fastest on a total of nine of the twelve days. Vaidotas Zala / Saulius Jurgelenas, in a Mini JCW Rally, won the very first Dakar stage on Arabian soil on the opening day.

Seven of the nine Mini crews that started the rally reached the finish in Al-Quiddia, Saudi Arabia, four of them in the top ten.

Mini vehicles topped the overall standings after every one of the twelve legs at the 40th staging of the Dakar Rally.

Meanwhile, it was an emotional win for Ricky Brabec who rode his Honda CRF450 Rally to the top spot in the motorcycle class. His win gave Honda its first Dakar victory in 31 years.

The 28-year-old rode his first Dakar Rally in 2016 with Team HRC, making 2020 his fifth attempt. After winning Stage 3 in this year’s edition, Brabec led the overall race, which he defended through solid riding in the subsequent stages, finally achieving his first overall win at the event. Teammates José Ignacio Cornejo finished 4th overall, and Joan Barreda 7th, placing three Honda team riders in the top 10.

The Dakar Rally was first held in 1979, making this year its 42nd edition. Known as “the most dangerous sporting event in the world,” this year’s race in Saudi Arabia took drivers and riders over more than 7,000 km (of which 75 percent was in the desert), through 12 stages in 13 days.

Honda's P 109K AirBlade 150 is Designed for Manila's Stop-and-Go Traffic (w/ Video)

Honda Philippines, Inc., the number one motorcycle manufacturer in the country, raises the bar in the scooter segment once again with the launch of the all-new AirBlade 150—a cutting-edge sporty automatic transmission bike that promises to make urban riding fun, comfortable, and stylish.

“In Honda Philippines, we believe that the joy and freedom of mobility is best experienced with friends. That is why we conceptualized the all-new AirBlade 150 with shared riding in mind,” said Susumu Mitsuishi, president of Honda Philippines, Inc. “The comfort of the passenger is another top consideration in the minds of today’s millennial customers, and the AirBlade 150 is the bike that we believe will fulfill that need.”

Designed as “The Cutting Edge,” the AirBlade 150 features a lightweight 150-cc liquid-cooled SOHC engine primed for stop-and-go situations with it lag-free power. Moreover, it can achieve up to 47 km/L.

Beyond its 4.4-liter fuel tank, the AirBlade 150 offers a 22.7-liter utility box that can accommodate full-faced helmets and enough room for the rider’s personal belongings. It’s also equipped with features such as Smart Key, a power socket for recharging devices and smartphones, and a front-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS).

The 2020 Honda AirBlade 150 comes in three colors: Matte Galaxy Black Metallic, Candy Caribbean Blue Sea, and Candy Ross Red. Honda motorcycle dealers are accepting reservations with customer deliveries to start by March 2020. The AirBlade 150 comes with a price of P 109,000.

Honda Produces Its 400-Millionth Motorcycle

Since the introduction of the Dream D-Type in 1949, Honda’s 70th anniversary of motorcycle mass-production marks the company’s 400 million-unit milestone for global motorcycle production.

Honda was founded in 1948, and began mass-production of motorcycles at its first overseas production facility in Belgium in 1963. Since then, Honda has expanded its production globally in accordance with its fundamental principle of producing locally where there is demand.

Honda currently produces a wide range of motorcycles, from 50-cc commuters to 1,800-cc models, at 35 facilities in 21 countries.

Honda has developed and provided products that meet the needs of customers in many countries and regions. As a result, Honda achieved its 100 million-unit milestone in 1997, and its 300 million-unit milestone in 2014. In 2018, Honda exceeded an annual production of 20 million units for the first time in its history, and enjoys strong support from customers in the Asia region and worldwide.

“For 70 years, Honda has provided to customers worldwide motorcycles that make life easier and enjoyable. As a result, we have achieved our 400 million-unit milestone. I am grateful to all of our customers, and everyone involved in development, manufacturing, sales and service of our products. We will continue to do our best to provide attractive products that meet the needs and dreams of our customers worldwide,” said Takahiro Hachigo, Chief Executive Officer, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.