23 Oct, when reporter asked about “is it too late for Honda to introduce new technology？”at Honda “Technology Camp” activity， Seiji Kuraishi throw the question to Yukimura Hideo, who is responsible for Chinese market research and development.
In fact, as a Honda China director, Seiji Kuraishi does not in charge of Honda head office new technology introducing personally. And Yukimura Hideo is not sure whether Japan office accelerates progress. He said “Honda hybrid technology planned to introduce into China made in the next three years, but it does not mean we introduce after 3 years, but according to situation.”
Seiji Kuraishi admits that it is possible to miss some opportunities, and “wish to hurry up”, but Honda has not built its own research system in China like Toyota did. Therefore, market feedback shall hand upside step by step.
However, Honda has made fast recovery than Toyota and Nissan after Diaoyu Island event in China by new products and technology introducing. Seiji Kuraishi becomes talkative rather than worried about future before.
According to Seiji Kuraishi, Honda will last its growth in the future by new products introducing. But cautious Seiji Kuraishi does not disclose about market share goal, and keeps watching about exceeding Nissan and Toyota.
At the beginning of Sept, Toyota Changshu research center decided to make Toyota hybrid products China made in 2015. Honda announces it China made plan after, and decide to implement in 2016. Seiji Kuraishi believes that only if open hybrid auto market, it is possible for Honda to get rid of Toyota. However, it is not possible to get rid of its old opponent during hybrid auto marketing and promotion.
Three years ago, Seiji Kuraishi replaces Honda (China) director from Honda Dongfeng general manger. Two joint ventures of Honda were facing no new technology and products introducing dilemma at that moment, and Honda entered the most difficult time, and was criticized by Japan media “Honda is too old.”
“Facing stiff outside situation, we did some reformation and improvement, accelerates new products introducing into Chinese market.” Seiji Kuraishi said.
Honda publishes its “Middle Term Strategy” in April 2012. From this June, Honda introduces Crider, 9th generation Accord and Jade. All of them are geared with Honda latest FUNTEC technology.
Japanese brands have deeply stumbled after Diaoyu Island event. But Honda has its products and technology burst period, which leads Japanese brands recovery. Crider orders are 15 thousand per month, but GAC Honda has not expected so many orders, sales around 130 thousand. Just like GAC vice general manager Xianqing GE said “as a new car, it performs over our expectation.” 9th generation Accord sells more than 10 thousand per month since launched market as well.
In Sept, Honda sells 74 thousand new cars in China, which times 2.2 than last year did. Nissan sales have increased 83.4% to 117 thousand, and Toyota increased 63.5% to 72 thousand. Honda exceeds Toyota already if only counted by single month sales.
