Petaling Jaya, August 29, 2008 - Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd welcomes the exemption of 100% import duty and 50% excise duty on new hybrid CBU vehicles below 2,000cc as announced in the Budget 2009. Honda is the pioneer and only car marque to offer hybrid vehicles to Malaysians. The Honda Civic Hybrid was launched in August last year.

Honda Malaysia believes these exemptions will encourage more Malaysians to opt for environmentally responsible technology that are also fuel-efficient such as the Honda Civic Hybrid as it becomes more affordable. The Civic Hybrid can give up to 31 km/litre, significantly more than most conventional engine vehicles.

"With this announcement, we expect more demand for the Civic Hybrid and we are well prepared to meet the increased sales as well as the after-sales service," said Mr. Atsushi Fujimoto, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

"The urgency to promote advanced technology that are fuel efficient and reduce fuel consumption is a worldwide need to decelerate climate change and also lessen dependence on fossil energy. The hybrid technology powering the Civic Hybrid is one such technology as its Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system that works cohesively with a 1.3 litre i-VTEC engine reduces (fuel) burning and thus, reducing the amount of CO2 emitted into the environment," Mr. Fujimoto added.

Honda Malaysia will announce the revised price for the Civic Hybrid soon.