Honda has strengthened its position in the corporate market by posting a sales increase of 11 per cent year on year between January and June 2012. This positive result has been boosted with a 26 per cent year-to-date increase in true fleet performance.
Honda’s true fleet performance excludes rental and Motability sales and the increase has been driven by particularly strong results in March (up 15 per cent on last year), April (up 55 per cent), May (up 94 per cent) and June (up 97 per cent).
Honda’s British-built cars are the key models driving this growth, with the new Civic proving popular with corporate customers. The ninth generation version has accounted for more than 4,000 sales so far this year – three times as many as the same time in 2011.
Ed Hummel, Manager – Corporate Operations at Honda (UK), commented; “Our customer base in the corporate sector has grown significantly this year, and the new Civic is proving to be a popular choice for company car drivers looking for a high power, low tax alternative to the more mainstream rivals.”
New CR-V
The new CR-V is due to be launched in the Autumn and with an expected reduction in CO2 emissions combined with its outstanding reliability record, Ed and his team are confident that the new model will have the highest residual values and lowest SMR budgets in its class.
The CR-V is a well proven, popular product with over 5 million CR-Vs sold globally since it was first launched in 1995. The current, third generation model has been recognised as one of the most comfortable cars on the market1 and the new CR-V is set to enhance these exceptional comfort levels making it ideal for long business journeys.
This year, Honda is expected to sell approximately 6,000 CR-Vs to corporate customers, with the new model accounting for 1,500 sales. Customers can expect to see leasing companies quoting from mid-September onwards.
New 1.6 i-DTEC engine
The introduction of the new 1.6 i-DTEC in the Civic early next year is one of the most important new engine launches for Honda’s fleet sales in recent history. Boasting a best in class power and CO2 combination of 120 PS and 95g/km2, Honda is anticipating sales of 7,000 units to corporate customers alone in a full year.
The new 1.6-litre i-DTEC engine is the first drive train from Honda’s new Earth Dreams Technology engine series to be introduced into Europe and it will be produced at Honda’s UK manufacturing facility in Swindon.
The application of new high-strength material in the cylinder head has enabled Honda to deliver the world’s lightest aluminum open deck 1.6 litre diesel engine. These lightweight characteristics, along with the compact high-efficiency turbocharger enhance responsiveness and ensure the car will offer a class-leading balance of fuel economy and performance.
