New Civic Won't Arrive Until 2012

According to sources the 9th generation Civic Full Model Change will not reach our local markets until early 2012. Honda's plant in Ayudhya, Thailand is not only a regional hub but also serves as a "leader plant" for the region, supplying vehicles to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and ASEAN region (except Singapore). In other words, Honda Malaysia's Alor Gajah plant in Melaka is not going commence local assembly of the next generation Civic until Thailand starts. Originally the 9th generation Civic was targeted to be launched by end 2011. However the project was delayed, partly by changing regulatory environment, particularly in the US and also impact from the global financial crisis.

We have seen images of the North American market Civic, launched in the recent NY Auto Show.

Standard Civic sedan, EX-L trim shown, with a 5-inch multi info display

Civic Hybrid

Civic's party piece - the power monitor. Not sure if this will make it to our local specs cars though.

In the US, a total 7 different variants in two body types (sedan and coupe) are offered, including :
1. High performance Si trim (sedan and coupe)
2. HF (high efficiency) which features aero aids like smoother wheel design and underbody panels, deck lid and lower rolling resistance tires
3. Hybrid
4. Natural gas

The models we will be getting however, will be slightly different. Our local models will spot a slightly different grille, clear lenses front turn signals different front bumper (which also means a different front fog lamp housing structure). American models had to comply to Federal regulations, namely 5mph resistant bumpers, mandated under 49 CFR Part 581 regulation as well as amber colored turn signal lenses as well as different airbag deployment standards. Models sold outside USA and Canada should ape more to the Chinese market models, whose pictures have leaked out to the net earlier (below).

A similar two engine line-up will be offered (1.8-liter and 2.0-liter). However we are not sure about Singapore as Singapore imports its Civics from Japan rather than Thailand and the existing Singaporean model line-up includes a 1.6-liter petrol engine option which is not available elsewhere in ASEAN.

Below is a TV commercial for the American market Civic, with the theme "To each their own," highlighting a Civic for all the different personalities, the gadget lover, the college coed, the always on the edge racer chick, the vain pretty boy, the eco-conscious outdoor lover.

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