Honda Malaysia announces November arrival for CR-Z
Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd has announced that the CR-Z will be officially launched here early in November 2011, making Malaysia the first South East Asian market to receive the hybrid-powered sports car. The CR-Z’s arrival has been long speculated after Honda placed a unit on display at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show last year.
It is likely that Honda was waiting to see if Budget 2012 continues with the Government’s hybrid-friendly policies before committing to bring in the CR-Z. As stated by Mr. Yoichiro Ueno, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Malaysia, “We are pleased that the government has decided to extend the full exemption of import duty and excise duty until December 2013 as announced recently in the Budget 2012. The launch of the CR-Z is timely to support the government’s effort to promote green technology and ensure sustainable development of the nation.”
Based on international reports, the CR-Z is powered by a 1.5-litre SOHC i-VTEC engine mated to Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system. Unlike most hybrids that use continuously variable transmission, the CR-Z will have a 6-speed manual gearbox. Considering Honda’s sterling track record in producing slick self-shifters, the CR-Z’s driving experience will indeed be something to look forward to.
The Honda CR-Z was named 2010/ 2011 Car of the Year (COTY) in Japan and won the 2010 Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organisation (JIDPO) Good Design Award. Since it went on sale in February 2010 in Japan, the Honda CR-Z has been well received with close to 34,000 units sold worldwide as at end December 2010.
