Bangkok--Jan 13--Aziam Burson-Marsteller
Modern & Integrated Service Centers to Serve Consumers,
20 Safe Driving Courses Planned in Support of Government Policy
A.P. Honda strengthens its leadership of the motorcycle market, kicking off the year 2006 with the launch of Honda Click, the most full-featured A.T. (automatic transmission) motorcycle in Thailand. The Click comes with an unsurpassed built-in liquid-cooled engine and combi brake for higher safety standard and has a sleek and cool design to suit Thai teens. In addition, the company targets to improve 200 Advanced CSI shops within 2006.
Mr. Motohide Sudo, President of A.P. Honda Co., Ltd. headed a media conference to unveil the new Honda Click, ASEAN’s most full-featured AT motorcycle. He also announced Honda’s brand ambassadors, the stars of the Academy Fantasia 2 television program. He said that the motorcycle market in Thailand has grown consistently and that last year 2,100,000 motorcycles were sold in Thailand, 3% increase over 2004 figures. Honda motorcycles represented 1,420,000 of those sales. Last year, Honda experienced record-breaking sales in Thailand and strengthened its leadership for the 18th consecutive year.
Mr. Sudo said, “Honda’s success last year was a result of consumers’ faith in Honda’s motorcycles as well as integrated nationwide. For 2006, we expect a total market volume of 2,150,000 and Honda is targeting sales of 1,500,000 motorcycles.”
Mr. Sudo continued, “We begin this year with the launch of Honda Click, the most complete AT motorcycle in Thailand. From the beginning of the development, especially in concept and design making , Honda R&d Thailand develop Honda Click together with Honda R&D Japan . And it emphasizes the concepts of ‘Keen and Sharp’ to appeal to teenagers. We expect Honda Click to be a hot item among teens and we are targeting sales of 250,000 units by the end of this year.”
Loaded with Honda’s latest advances in technology, Honda Click has a 110 cc four-stroke engine with a built-in liquid cooled system to enhance engine performance and speed. The motorcycle is specially tailored to fit the lifestyle of Thai teens, offering a comfortable ride for both riders and passengers. Honda Click’s combi brake system evenly distributes braking power between the front and rear wheels, offering riders ultimate safety for the first time in Thailand.
To capture the hearts of motorcyclists, A.P. Honda introduced six stars from the Academy Fantasia 2 reality program as brand ambassadors of Honda Click .They include “Boy” Pisanu Nimsakul, “Wan” Tanakrit Panichwit, “Jo” Panupol Ekpetch, “Kook Kai” Alissa Sim, “Preaw” Anusa Wanthongrak and “Aof” Suphanat Chalermchaicharoenkij.
Honda Click will be available in 3 models including 1) Click Start, which has a drum brake and spoke wheels and estimated market price is 42,000 baht, 2) Click Tune-Up, which has a front wheel disk brake and spoke wheel and estimated market price 44,000 baht, and 3) Click Forward, the top of the line, which has alloy wheels, front wheel disk brake and Honda’s Combi Brake system, and estimated market price is 47,500 baht. As a special thank you, Honda is giving away Click Sets, a 1,500 baht value with the first 5,000 units of Click Tune-Up and Forward pre-ordered and Honda Service Centers nationwide.
Honda has a network of 1,066 service centers nationwide, including 814 CSI service centers and 252 dealer-owned centers. The service centers have been designed with an advanced and customer-friendly concept. In addition, Advanced CSI shops provide the ultimate customer service experience by letting customers access Honda’s website in-house and feature trendy Honda motorcycle accessories and fashions. A total of 200 CSI centers will be converted into Avanced CSI shops by the end of this year. A total of 800 Advanced CSI shops will be open within three years.
Part of Honda’s continued commitment to protecting the environment, the company has teamed up with its dealers to form the “Green Dealer” project, which urges them to sort and recycle or properly dispose of discarded parts, dead batteries and used oil.
For over 17 years, Honda has promoted safe riding to 7.4 million people and provided training to over 20,300 teachers. In support of government policy to increase motorcycle safety, Honda will work with its dealers to provide safe riding courses that give riders proper training before they apply for their motorcycle licenses. A Honda dealer in Chiang Rai was the first to open such a training course in Thailand. Twenty are expected to open by the end of the year.
For further information please contact:
Danai Rodboon, Sales Promotion Division Satida Sritunyatorn or Wittawat Eakusdron A.P. Honda Aziam Burson-Marsteller
Tel. 0 2757 6111 ext 0518 or 0 5900 9683 0 2252 9871
Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net End.