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USA: Jazzy baby Honda fit for Stateside launch - report
29 Jan 2004
Source: just-auto.com editorial team
Honda will sell a version of its baby Fit (Jazz) model in the United States beginning perhaps as early as this year, according to The Car Connection (TCC), citing a report in Japan's Nihon Keizai business newspaper.
TCC said the model would be positioned below the Civic in the US model range to rival entry-level Hyundai, Kia, and Suzuki models, and would also give Honda car to compete with Toyota's newly-launched, youth-oriented Scion brand.
Honda is deciding whether to export the car from plants in Brazil or Japan, TCC said.
The Car Connection said Honda isn?t yet talking US sales figures and added that the Brazilian plant could add an extra 20,000 units a year. If the dollar continues to weaken, Brazil would get the nod, but, with Honda planning to expand sales in other South American countries, US Fits are more likely to come from Japan.
TCC expects US Fit prices to start around $10,000, undercutting the starter Civic by $3000.
Competition will also include cheap Korean-made Chevrolet [the GM-Daewoo-built Aveo clone of the Kalos], Suzuki and Kia sub-compacts already in or headed for the US this year, The Car Connection noted.
Article Here
29 Jan 2004
Source: just-auto.com editorial team
Honda will sell a version of its baby Fit (Jazz) model in the United States beginning perhaps as early as this year, according to The Car Connection (TCC), citing a report in Japan's Nihon Keizai business newspaper.
TCC said the model would be positioned below the Civic in the US model range to rival entry-level Hyundai, Kia, and Suzuki models, and would also give Honda car to compete with Toyota's newly-launched, youth-oriented Scion brand.
Honda is deciding whether to export the car from plants in Brazil or Japan, TCC said.
The Car Connection said Honda isn?t yet talking US sales figures and added that the Brazilian plant could add an extra 20,000 units a year. If the dollar continues to weaken, Brazil would get the nod, but, with Honda planning to expand sales in other South American countries, US Fits are more likely to come from Japan.
TCC expects US Fit prices to start around $10,000, undercutting the starter Civic by $3000.
Competition will also include cheap Korean-made Chevrolet [the GM-Daewoo-built Aveo clone of the Kalos], Suzuki and Kia sub-compacts already in or headed for the US this year, The Car Connection noted.
Article Here


