Dongfeng Honda: no plan to introduce Civic to China

Nov. 7, 2008 (China Knowledge) - Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co. Ltd, a 50:50 joint venture between China's Dongfeng Motor Corp<489> and Japan's Honda Motor Co, has no immediate plan to introduce hatchback Civic to China due to cost concerns, sources reported.

However, the automaker hammers out another option to develop a new hatchback model based on its current sedan platform.

The hatchback Civic, which is RMB 26,000 higher than that of the sedan version in the European and American markets, may not be accepted by Chinese consumers, said Liu Yuhe, vice executive general manager with Dongfeng Honda.

In order to supplement its vehicle models, Dongfeng Honda has decided to build an in-house developed hatchback model, which will share the same platform with the Civic sedan, said Liu, without giving the exact timetable of the plan.

According to the carmaker's previous plan, the company would launch a self-developed model by 2010.

Dongfeng Honda's middle-sized car Civic sedan recorded flat sales of 7,000 units a month, compared with its hot-selling CR-V, sources said.