Everyone would have seen the advertisements by now and it was no surprise when Honda Malaysia launched their first hybrid to be assembled in Malaysia, the Honda Jazz Hybrid.
The launch was attended by Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir, the Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry which will be sold for RM89,900 on-the-road without insurance. This one comes with a 3-yaers or 100,000 warranty while the IMA battery goes for 5-years or 140,000km.
As it is made in Malaysia, the price is about RM5k lesser than the CBU unit launched earlier this year and there are certain things that were not included in this local version. Among them are the paddle shifters, audio controls on the steering and automatic wipers. They have also taken out the disc breaks on the rears. The engine is the 1.3 liter i-VTEC + IMA paired with the CVT gearbox. It comes with a 4-corner reverse sensor while you also get the VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist), ABS with EBD and BA as well as flexible Ultra Seats.
The reduced price will surely see more Malaysians taking up hybrid vehicles and it might just change the competition altogether which according to Yoichiro Ueno, the CEO of Honda Malaysia they are targeting to roll out 4,800 units of this ‘Made in Malaysia’ hybrid next year to add on to its 69% of all hybrid cars in Malaysia currently.
