GAC Honda to launch 8G Accord upgraded model

Shanghai, December 19 (Gasgoo.com) GAC Honda (Guangzhou Honda) will launch the upgraded version of its flagship sedan model the 8th-generation Accord by the year end, said cheshi.com today, citing an insider of the joint venture. This upgraded model will have little change in its exterior look but will include some new safety and comfort configurations.

In January this year, GAC Honda released its 8th-gen Accord to the Chinese market. In the first few months, the splendor and fashion won this model many customers. Its sales in the third quarter (July-Sept) even exceeded those of its close rival Toyota Camry. But in September, GAC Toyota launched the 2009 Camry model, which since then has captured much market share from Honda Accord.

Take their well-sold 2.4L models, the '09 Toyota Camry has obviously better safety configurations than Honda Toyota. These safety features were newly added in September. In contrast, the 8th-gen Accord not only lacks these competitive safety configurations, but also are more expensive by 2,000 yuan than Camry.

Therefore, GAC Honda expects to win more potential buyers back by launching a new Accord with a better price-performance ratio. To this end, it is quite necessary and urgent for GAC Honda to upgrade the configurations, especially the safety ones, of its current Accord model.

In-mid September, GAC Honda recalled 717 Accord sedans (made by the venture on March 21-29, 2007) to fix potential problems with steering pumps. The defective steering pump might cause malfunction in the steering system of vehicles.