Honda unveils fashionable made-in-nigeria entry-level Honda HR-V

Honda Automobile Western Africa (HAWA) Limited, local assemblers of Honda Motor vehicles in union with The Honda Place, today unveiled the all new made-in-Nigeria 2019 Honda HR-V entry level SUV in realization of the company’s objective of becoming Africa’s leading manufacturing hub.

This accomplishment, which also corroborates the Federal Government’s National Automotive Industry Development Plan comes on the heels of the Accord, which was earlier rolled out on line from the HAWA plant in July 2015 in furtherance of the production of Honda automobiles from Africa’s first Honda SKD (semi knock Down) facility at Ota – Ogun State Nigeria.

It is expected that the introduction of Honda’s entry level HR-V sport utility vehicle would affirm the manufacturers’ demonstrative goal of supplying products of the highest quality at reasonable price for the joy of mobility to as many customers as possible.

Uniquely styled for individual driving comfort, the new Honda HR-V will cater to the growing demand for functional and affordably priced entry level SUV, while also closing the gap between upscale Honda variants including 3.5liter Pilot and 2.4liter CR-V.

Corroborating these assertions, Managing Director Honda Automobile Western Africa Ltd. Akihiro Daido said the presence of the new Honda HR-V marked the arrival of entry level SUV from the Honda stable.

Daido stated: “Now, Nigerian customers can experience the power of our three SUVs: Honda Pilot 3.5litre, CR-V 2.4Litre and all new HR-V 1.8Litre.
“The Hi-Rider Revolutionary-Vehicle (HR-V) is a five-seater vehicle, proudly assembled in Nigeria with adherence to the Honda global production standards.”
Honda HR-V is sporty and combines luxury with affordability to change the industry norm.

Earlier in his keynote address, THP Managing Director, Arun Rishi said: “We thrive not only in guaranteeing the joy of buying for the customers or the joy of selling for the dealership or the joy of creating for the manufacturer, but essentially, the joy of sustaining the product useable history, using our unrivalled after sales service support facilities located strategically across the country.”

HAWA and THP became technical partners 26 years ago, when the later was appointed exclusive distributor for Honda automobiles in Nigeria.

Also speaking at the event, the National Automotive Design and Development Council Director General Jelani Aliyu (MFR) said efforts are ongoing to commence the implementation of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan soon as it is reviewed and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said: “The Nigerian government through the NADDC is already working to accelerate the process of transition from the importation of used cars to the manufacture and distribution of new passenger vehicles, while providing a conducive legislative environment that would encourage the manufacturing of motor vehicles in Nigeria.”

He hinted on the new auto finance fund that would enable more Nigerians and corporate organizations access low interest loans to acquire new cars and re-fleet their pool of vehicles with new ones, just as the development of automotive laboratories for safety tests are at 70% completion stage.

He added: “The council’s focus and commitment remains on initiating policies, implementing strategies and bringing in world class approaches that will make Nigeria become and remain the center for automotive development in Africa.”