Bangkok, 6 November 2008 – Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd., unveiled its MY2009 Honda Civic with enhanced features including a touch-screen navigation system, the first in the compact car segment. The latest re-styled model also has a new front grille, striking front bumper design, and octagonal rear lights, reinforcing its reputation as a sporty, high-performance sedan.

President of Honda Automobile (Thailand), Kenji Otaka said, “The 2009 Civic has redesigned exterior styling, new front grille, front bumper design, smoked chrome headlights and octagonal rear lights to make it sportier and prominently stunning. Inside, the sporty sedan features a touch-screen navigation system, the first of its kind in the compact car segment.”

He added that the excellent consumer acceptance of the Civic has allowed Honda to retain its leadership in the compact car segment. The segment, in which the Civic competes in, accounts for over 37 percent (Jan-Sept 2008) share of the total passenger car market in Thailand.

The 2009 Civic continues with its heritage of being a premium advanced sporty sedan through its sporty and muscular look. Its enhanced design and features, combined with its roomy cabin, responsive acceleration, and fuel efficiency are some of the often-heard attributes.

“Additional features in the 2009 Civic are rear parking sensors, DVD player, and audio remote controls on the steering wheel. These enhanced gadgets in this new advanced sporty sedan are very appealing, and will surely reinforce Civic’s leadership in the compact car segment,” said Otaka further.

The 2009 civic is available in three major versions – the entry-level Civic S, Civic E and the top-end Civic EL. Both the Civic S and Civic E come with a 1.8-litre i-VTEC engine that delivers 140hp, while the Civic EL is powered by a 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine with 155hp. All three versions are E20-friendly and feature a 5-speed automatic transmission; only the Civic S version is available in both manual and automatic version.

With a choice of Honda’s i-VTEC 1.8- and 2.0-litre engine, the sporty sedan will meet the discerning needs of drivers who want speed, power as well as fuel economy,” added Otaka.

The 2009 Civic, with price ranging from THB749,000,- to THB1,101,000,- depending on the model version and specifications, isa available in six colours – ¬Taffeta White, Bluish Silver Metallic, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Bold Beige Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, and Crystal Black Pearl.

Otaka added that the company’s marketing and communication programme is targeted at trend-setting males and females, aged 25-35, who enjoy and independent lifestyle.

Worldwide, nearly 19 million units of the Civic have been sold since the launch of the first generation Civic in 1972. In Thailand, a total of around 230,000 units are being driven nationwide since its introduction in 1984.

Source: Fleet-asia.com’s correspondent in Thailand