The Bangkok Post reports that Honda Automobiles (Thailand) will be breaking away from the market’s sedan mould by introducing a hatchback body based on the Global Small Car Platform already employed in the City budget car.
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The five-door subcompact car, also known as the B-segment car in Europe, will be launched in Thailand next week and will be badged Jazz like its counterpart in Europe – the car is the Fit in Japan.
Honda is the first carmaker in Thailand to build a two-box subcompact which is assembled at its facility in Ayutthaya.
The country’s second best-selling passenger car brand is hoping to close the gap with market leader Toyota. Toyota’s Soluna Vios that is currently offered only in sedan bodystyle.
Although Toyota closed third quarter sales of passenger cars with a leading 46.6% market share, Honda hopes to reduce the deficit next year with the help of the Jazz.
The Jazz is powered by the same 88hp 1.5-litre engine that is used in the City and comes with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed CVT (continuously variable transmission) automatic transmission with additional manual shifters on the steering wheel.
The Bangkok Post said that the use of this economical powertrain ends earlier speculation that Honda will boost the Jazz’s sales prospects by fitting it with a higher-revving 1.5-litre engine featuring VTEC variable valve timing and some 105hp. That engine may be added later, the newspaper speculated.
