Since last year we've heard rumours of Honda's plan to introduce the Freed MPV in ASEAN market. It is supposed to be positioned as an "affordable" MPV targetted at the Toyota Avanza, the current King of MPVs in the South East Asian market. Indonesia has been identified as its production hub. Taking advantage of ASEAN-FTA tax concessions, the Freed will be exported from Indonesia to other ASEAN member countries.
Today, a report from the Jakarta Post confirms this story. The Freed will be launched in June 2009. The Freed was first launched in Japan in June 2008. Indonesia will be the first country outside Japan to assemble the Freed. The ASEAN Freed will be made in by the local Honda JV, PT Honda Prospect Motor's plant in Karawang, West Java.
The 1.5-litre engine Freed MPV is derived from the Global Small Platform and thus will share powertrain and other major components with the Jazz (Fit) hatchback and City (Fit Aria) sedan. Estimated price in Indonesia is IDR 200 million. The Toyota Avanza 1.5 starts at IDR 158 million.
It is unclear if the Freed will be introduced in Malaysia as I understand that our
Correction : Someone who is more familiar with vehicle pricing and taxation told me that the sliding door requirement no longer applies. Only the number of seat matters (7) now.
Note : All images above are from the Japan specs Freed. Localised ASEAN versions may differ.
For more pictures : Asian Honda Motor Planning an Avanza-Innova Killer?
3 comments:
I wonder, if our local tax structure puts sliding door MPVs at a disadvantage. Then why Naza Ria is so damn cheap for an MPV of its size?
Perhaps someone can confirm us whether or not this sliding-door tax is a fact or fiction.
The Naza Ria can be priced lower because of its local content rate.
There are a lot of other factors in vehicle tax and import duties calculation, not just based on the engine capacity and country of origin.
As I said, I am not sure of the details. Someone told me that the Previa is so much more expensive than an equivalent Odyssey or Grandis because of this. Of course we are not talking of reconditioned / grey importers but official brand new vehicles.
The Previa has since been discontinued locally.
Yes, you are right. I do know about local content thingy but still I can't get the clear picture even from the big G.
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