Petaling Jaya, 21 January 2015 – Following a highly successful 2014, Honda Malaysia aims to increase its market share to more than 12% in 2015 with a sales target of 85,000 units. With an anticipated year-on-year growth of 4.5% to 697,000 units for the TIV in 2015, Honda Malaysia is confident of achieving its sales target by continuing to strengthen its mid-term strategy here in Malaysia.

 

This challenging target for 2015 rides on the back of an outstanding year in 2014 where Honda Malaysia exceeded its sales target of 76,000 units to achieve 77,485 units. The success of 2014 translated to an increase in market share to an estimated 11.6% against the estimated 2014 TIV of 667,000 units. This was an increase of 3.7 points from the 7.9% that Honda Malaysia achieved in 2013. The strong sales in 2014 was a great achievement, and by doing so Honda Malaysia also took the No. 1 position in the Non-National Passenger Vehicle segment for the first time in its history.

 

Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yoichiro Ueno said, “This success was made possible with the support and trust in the brand from Malaysian customers."

 

“Three years ago, Honda Malaysia set a mid-term strategy to elevate our business to 100,000 units and started our preparation for enhancing the competitiveness of our products, increasing production capacity and expanding our dealer network,” Mr. Ueno said.

 

These combined efforts resulted in the successful launch of fresh, entry models to meet market demands - the All-New City and All-New Jazz, which received great response from the market and contributed nearly 70% of Honda’s sales last year. Since its launch in March, and until December, the City became the best-selling model in the Non-National B-segment, whereas the Jazz, led the Non-National Hatchback segment. At the same time, the CR-V and Accord also continued to be the best-selling models in their respective segments.

 

In cementing its stronghold in the market and realising competitive pricing, Honda Malaysia increased its production capacity with the opening of the No. 2 Line in Malacca. This in turn allowed Honda Malaysia to meet the anticipated increase in sales with a shorter
product-to-market time with the ability to produce 100,000 units per year.

 

Honda Malaysia plans to build on the momentum into 2015 by continuing to excite customers with quality products, exciting new models, efficient product-to-market time and excellent services.

 

Despite offering affordable value-for-money vehicles, safety has always been a priority for Honda. All Honda Malaysia models come fitted with advanced safety features that meet international standards. This emphasis on safety is attested by the numerous safety awards that Honda models has been recognised with.

 

Some of the safety awards under Honda Malaysia’s belt include an award for Safety Technology for its LaneWatch feature and five awards in Crash Worthiness Performance at the First ASEAN NCAP Grand Prix. Notable wins include the CR-V being named the safest SUV and the All-New City named the Overall Winner for the Adult Occupant Protection (AOP). All current models sold in Malaysia that have been tested by the ASEAN NCAP, have been awarded 5-star rating.

 

As it continues to grow its sales in Malaysia, Honda supports its customers with an expanding network of dealers nationwide. Currently, there are 77 dealers in Malaysia. Honda Malaysia is targeting to have 90 dealers by 2016 and also increase the number of Body and Paint Centres to 18.

 

Honda Malaysia believes that 2015 will be a year of tough competition and rapid market movements, and is ready to challenge itself to maintain the momentum from 2014.