Honda on Friday (14/7) launched a redesigned Stream minivan with low-floor platform aimed at couples in their 30s who do not have children and those whose children have already grown up, as well as family buyers.
The Japanese domestic minivan market grew rapidly in the 1990s, but in a sluggish market with a declining birth rate, minivan sales have recently been slowing down, Kyodo News noted.
The previous Stream was exported to Europe but was not a success and it has now been replaced by the FR-V minivan here.
Minivans in Japan still account for 25% of new vehicle sales, forcing automakers to target new customers.
The latest Stream has new 1.8- and two-litre engines with improved fuel economy and stronger acceleration. The 1.8 has a conventional five-speed automatic gearbox and the 2.0 gets a CVT transmission. The cabin is larger and more comfortable and a sports version called RSZ gets alloy wheels, body enhancements and black interior trim parts.
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By GlobalDataThe new model’s relatively low overall height of 1,545mm lets it fit into most restricted-height mechanical parking lots in Japan.
Prices range between 1,806,000 yen and 2,541,000 yen.