Honda Motor has launched production of the updated City Hatchback at its assembly plant in Melaka, Malaysia, as the Japanese automaker continues to strengthen its model line-up in the Southeast Asian market. The automaker recently began production of the upgraded City sedan at the plant, with the model going on sale locally last month.

Honda is the fourth-largest vehicle brand in Malaysia, behind only Perodua, Proton and Toyota, with sales of almost 35,000 vehicles in the first eight months of 2026. It employs around 20,000 people in the country directly and indirectly, including those working in its local supply chain and across more than 100 dealers nationwide.

The Melaka plant began production in 2003 and is supplied by around 500 local component manufacturers. Japan’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Shikata Noriyuki, attended the ceremony marking the launch of production of the City Hatchback.

Honda Malaysia’s CEO, Narushi Yazaki, said the local production of the new model reflected the company’s continued investment in the country, adding “Honda Malaysia has grown alongside this nation, and we are privileged to be part of the deep-rooted relationship between Malaysia and Japan.”