Singapore gets first Indonesia-made Honda

By SAMUEL EE

The first Indonesian-built Honda will be launched in Singapore this weekend by authorised distributor Kah Motor. The Freed is a compact seven-seat MPV, and the cars headed here will be produced outside Jakarta, at Kawarang.

But the Made-in-Indonesia label is not new to the local automotive market - Suzuki introduced its APV multi-purpose vehicle here in mid-2005. Other Japanese models are also sourced from Asean countries, such as Thailand (Toyota Vios, Corolla Altis and Camry, as well as Honda City and Accord) and Malaysia (Proton and Perodua). For a while, starting in mid-2004, there was also a Ford Laser from the Philippines.

Because of its large manufacturing footprint, Honda has production facilities worldwide. Japan's second-biggest auto-maker began exporting cars to Singapore from other than its home base when the first Thai-made City sedan arrived here in 1996.

This was followed by an Ohio, US-sourced Accord in 1998. Then in 2003, an Accord began arriving here from Thailand. In 2007, the sporty Civic Type R from the Swindon plant in the UK made its maiden appearance in Singapore.

The Freed is a 1.5-litre mini-MPV that debuted in Japan in May 2008. A month later it became available here through parallel importers.

It is based on the Jazz Hatchback platform, but with a longer 2,795 mm wheelbase and, of course, a third row of seats. Thanks to the tall roof and low cabin floor, the last row can accommodate two average-size adults in relative comfort.

The Freed also has dual rear sliding doors. On the Kah Motor model, these are electrically powered.

Kah Motor reckons the car will be a winner. 'If you look at the success of the Jazz, with all its desirable qualities like fuel economy and manoeuvrability, then it follows that the Freed, with its convenience of a third row of seats, will also be popular,' said Kah Motor's product manager Vincent Ng.

Prices will only be announced on Friday, but the Freed is likely to cost more than the most expensive Jazz - currently the Jazz 1.5, which is priced from around $75,000.

The authorised Freed will also be dearer than the $70,000 or so that parallel importers are asking for.

In the 12 months since the Freed has been available here, about 600 units have been registered.

This story was first published in The Business Times.