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Indian-made multipurpose vehicle added to Honda’s South African product mix

7th November 2014

By: Irma Venter

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

  

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Honda Motor Southern Africa (HMSA) has launched the Indian-made Mobilio multipurpose vehicle (MPV) onto the South African market.

The Mobilio is built on the same new small-car platform that will house the popular Jazz, to be introduced in South Africa early next year.

The seven-seater Mobilio is offered in two trim levels, the Trend and the Comfort, both powered by the same 1.5 ℓ petrol engine, linked to a five-speed manual gearbox.

A similar 1.5 ℓ engine and the gearbox can also be found on the Honda Ballade.

An automatic model will be added to the Mobilio line-up in 2015.

The four-cylinder, 16-valve engine is fitted with Honda’s intelligent variable valve timing system, and has a maximum power output of 88 kW at 6 600 rpm, linked to a torque peak of 145 Nm at 4 600 rpm.

The Mobilio offers three rows of seats. The 60:40 split second seat row has a slide and recline function that allows the space to be used as preference and requirements dictate.

The third seat row splits 50:50, with a reclining function.

Both seat rows can be folded flat and tumbled forward to maximise cargo space.

With the seats in place, the Mobilio holds 223 ℓ of cargo, which increases to 521 ℓ with the third row seat folded down.

Active and passive safety equipment includes dual front airbags, head restraints, front inertia reel seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters, as well as antilock braking with electronic brake force distribution.

“The arrival of the Mobilio represents another important chapter for Honda in South Africa,” says HMSA operations director Graham Eagle.

“It extends our model offering to include a value-added seven seater with real space, comfort, style and dynamic appeal.”

He says HMSA hopes to sell 80 Mobilios a month in South Africa, with the more upmarket Trend expected to be the best-seller.

The MPV market in South Africa has grown from around 12 000 units in 2009 to 15 000 units in 2013. Small MPVs made up around 36% of the local MPV market in 2009, which is expected to grow to 45% in 2014.

However, the MPV’s share of the South African car market dropped from 5% in 2009 to 3% in 2013.

Pricing for the Mobilio starts at R179 990.

The Mobilio comes with a three-year/100 000 km warranty, as well as a one-year roadside assistance programme.

The Comfort model also benefits from a two-year/30 000 km service plan. This model adds a radio to the vehicle, rear air conditioning and electric mirrors, for example.

Standard features on both models include central locking, electric windows and air conditioning.

Service intervals are at 15 000 km.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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