Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Thailand’s second largest manufacturer and exporter of passenger cars, today launched its all-new premium urban Honda Freed multi-utility van (MUV). Its distinctive design, shape and cabin interior cater to urban trendy customers who want a stylish, compact and spacious MUV with the ‘look-and-feel’ of a passenger car.
Mr. Atsushi Fujimoto, President of Honda Automobile (Thailand), said, “Our research into the lifestyles of today’s urban population indicates an emerging need for MUVs. The daily activities of professional people at work and home, and the social interactions with their family members and friends indicate an unmet need for a compact multi-utility vehicle that is easy to drive and offers ample cabin space.”
The all-new Freed fuses a compact body size, a spacious cabin which comfortably seats adults in all three rows, and a stylish design. Since its introduction in May 2008, sales of the Freed in Japan reached nearly 77,000 units sold within its first year of launch. It has also been given the “Best Value” Award in Japan Car of the Year 2008-2009.
“Honda specifically developed the all-new Freed with the aim of creating a stylish MUV that is comfortable and easy to manoeuvre, enabling its owners to freely utilise the vehicle in various activities that meet the modern needs and diverse lifestyles of today’s urban residents,” said Mr. Fujimoto.
“In Thailand, we expect customer bookings for the Freed to reach 5,000 units within the next 12 months. This forecast is based on our research of target demographics in urban cities, and the potential and anticipated demand for compact, spacious, fuel-efficient MUVs that are easy to steer, drive and park,” he said.
The all-new Freed can accommodate 7 people in a 2-2-3 seat configuration, a large cabin room with a ‘free walk-through’ layout that allows its occupants to move from front-to-back easily. It also comes with automatic sliding rear doors on both sides, activated via a remote key or manually from a panel button.
To support the all-new Freed launch, Honda will kick off its marketing campaign that includes print advertising and TV commercials targeting at trend-setting urban families and professional individuals in their late 20s.
The all-new Freed is available in 2 versions – the Freed S and Freed E – equipped with a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine that delivers 118 horsepower and runs on gasohol E20. All versions feature a 5-speed automatic transmission with emission cleanliness that meets the international EURO-4 standard.
The premium Honda Freed – priced at Bht. 894,500 (S version), Bht. 974,500 (E version), Bht. 1,014,500 (E Sport), and Bht. 1,074,500 (E Navi Sport) – is available in four colours (Silver Alabaster, Metal Polished Grey, Crystal Black, and White Brilliant).
Bookings are now accepted at all Honda dealers nationwide with deliveries to customers scheduled in January 2010. The all-new Honda Freed will be displayed at the upcoming Thailand International Motor Expo 2009 (2 –13 December).
Information released through Bangkok Public Relations Ltd.
on behalf of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
For further information please contact Bangkok Public Relations Ltd.
Apsorn Bejrajati, Pairoj Pachanapreeda or Panta Poonsapmanee at telephone 0-2664 9500, ext. 112, 115 or 116, fax 0-2664 9515.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment