Honda Launches 2.0-Litre Accord
Smaller engine variant should help to boost sales
By Nick Syn
LOCAL HONDA DISTRIBUTOR Kah Motor has finally introduced the 2.0-litre version of the Accord sedan. Previously only available in comparatively tax-unfriendly 2.4- and 3.0-litre guises, the Accord has to date been relegated to playing catch up with respect to the big sellers in this class.
The dominant model in this particular segment is Toyota’s Camry sedan, the best-selling car in its class, and according to sales statistics published by the Singapore Motor Traders’ Association, the Camry has been outselling the Accord by a factor of approximately six to one for the first five months of this year.
The fact that the Camry is available with a relatively road-tax friendlier 2.0-litre engine has no doubt helped greatly to secure its appeal. In fact, the 2.0-litre accounted for nearly 70 percent of Camry sales in the first five months of this year. And in case you’re wondering about the Accords sold next door in Malaysia (which have been available with the 2.0-litre engine for a fair while), it’s important to note that those 2.0-litre models are actually built there.
Singapore gets Thai-built Accords and according to a Kah Motor spokesperson, “there was no development of the 2.0-litre model in Thailand until now. However, thanks to some tax restructuring in Thailand, they were able to build it, and we can bring it in this year.”
The niche 3.0-litre V6 model Accord will remain on an indent basis for this year. Kah Motor plans to discontinue the model for next year, as the sheer size of the engine, good as it is, makes it a difficult fit for this segment.
The 2.4-litre will continue in the line-up but will come with a more premium feel commensurate with a car in the 2.4-litre class.
Prices for the 2.0-litre Accord have already been set at $89,800 with COE and the order books are now open with deliveries slated to begin in September.
Kah hopes that the 2.0-litre model will help to significantly draw sales from the Camry, the spokesperson said that the company hoped to shift, “75 units a month, conservatively speaking.”
