Guangqi Honda targets 1m SUV sales

Guangqi Honda general manager Mizuno Yasuhide, second left, executive deputy general manager Yu Jun, second right and senior management give the thumbs up to the Honda Vezel. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Sino-Japanese joint venture Guangqi Honda will launch the all-new Honda City sedan and a 1.5-liter Honda Vezel SUV next year as well as starting production of hybrid cars in China in 2016.

General manager of Guangqi Honda Automobile Co, Mizuno Yasuhide, said at Auto Guangzhou through an interpreter that the newly-launched Vezel complements the automaker's product line-up.

General manager of Guangqi Honda Mizuno Yasuhide. [Hao Yan / chinadaily.com.cn]

The joint venture began offering its first locally-manufactured Vezel 1.8-liter SUV with continuously variable transmission edition in October, and its 1.5-liter edition, powered by a direct injection engine, is set to be launched in the first quarter of next year.

He is confident the China-made SUVs will join the Accord and Crider and become the third model realizing an annual sale of 100,000 units. The three models will lay a solid base for the automaker's target of one million sales and a breakthrough in the world's largest car market.

The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers forecasts the sales volume of SUVs will surge 29 percent this year to 3.85 million from 2.99 million last year.

Vezel has also joined the world of e-commerce and the TMall online shop is accepting orders. Yasuhide expects to see more orders placed through the internet.

He said the coming all-new City, having a new powertrain, might be revealed at Auto Shanghai in April next year.

The company will complete the construction of its third plant in 2015 and the domestic engine plant.

He added that the country will see the hybrid Honda model put into production in 2016. 

Guangqi Honda's Vezel SUV pictured at Auto Guangzhou, Nov 20, 2014. The Sino-Japanese joint venture began offering its first locally-manufactured Vezel 1.8-liter SUV with continuously variable transmission edition in October. [Hao Yan / chinadaily.com.cn]