Honda lowers prices on some models

  Pitak Pruittisarikorn, executive vice president, said the carmaker had found ways to lower prices despite the rising costs of raw materials and fuel, as well as the government’s policy to boost wages, which have had an impact on its manufacturing costs. Honda now employs about 6,000 people in the Kingdom in sales, service and manufacturing.
“Under the strategy, we will be able to reduce the price of our new Honda Freed by up to Bt100,000. The company lately introduced the new Honda Civic at a similar price to the previous model. Some models have been launched at prices that are Bt5,000-Bt8,000 lower,” Pitak said.
“Our ability to reduce the price of the Honda Freed is the result of more homework being done on our manufacturing operations in Indonesia, negotiating with local suppliers there to find cost-reduction solutions.
“We expect Honda Automobile (Thailand) to sell 150,000 cars this year,” he said.
Honda yesterday launched its new Civic in five models. Prices will range from Bt773,000 to Bt1.12 million. The company expects to sell about 35,000 of the new Civics in the redesigned model’s first year.
“The prices of the new Honda Civic will be increased by about Bt19,000 on average, which is not much considering the vehicle’s capability. Its engine can use E85 alternative fuel,” Pitak said.
He said the company sold 12,800 vehicles in April alone. Its best-selling model is still the Honda City.
Honda’s manufacturing facility in Thailand resumed operations on March 31 with production capacity between 20,000 and 25,000 vehicles per month. Total production will be not less than 200,000 units this year, of which Honda City will be the dominant model.