Honda HR-V on Thursday night beat other rivals to clinch the coveted Car-of-the-Year award during the 2023 Nigeria Auto Journalists’ Association (NAJA) Auto Awards.
The annual awards celebrated outstanding brands and individuals making the wave in the automotive industry.
It was a night of elegance as auto personalities led by the industry regulator, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin stormed the prestigious Oriental Hotel in Lagos for the auto industry’s most coveted awards event.
Out of the tens of awards, the Car-of-the-Year award was the most sought after with Honda HR-V unveiled as the number one car on Nigerian roads.
The presentation of the laurel was done by the NADDC DG to Mr. Remi Adams, Head Sales, Marketing & Logistics and Akintola Jemmy, Area Manager, both of Honda Automobile West Africa at the award night.
In the presence of other stakeholders, Honda clinched the prestigious laurel, expressing delight and excitement over the recognition of the brand.
The All-New Honda HR-V was introduced in Nigeria by Honda Automobile Western Africa Ltd (HAWA).
The HR-V assembled in Nigeria, by Nigerians and for Nigerians, has been designed to cope with the peculiar terrain of Nigeria.
The new HR-V represents the Third Generation of the Hi-Rider Revolutionary Vehicle, building on the successes of the First Generation (1999-2006); Second Generation (2006-2013) and the All New HR-V which is the third generation.
Honda HR-V shoved aside Suzuki S-Presso and Changan Eado to clinch the award.
Commenting on the award, Adams commended NAJA for recognising the brand with the prestigious award.
He said it was a morale booster for HAWA in its determination to continue to churn out quality Made-in –Nigeria vehicles.
HAWA has a state-of-the-art plant in Idi-Iroko Ogun State where it assembles vehicles, motorcycles and their parts with an installed capacity of 1000.
HAWA recently reiterated its commitment to sustain production in Nigeria despite various challenges.
Briefing Journalists after a factory tour, the company explained that though it’s vehicle production output has dropped from its installed capacity of 1000 units per annum, the auto firm will continue to uphold its global quality standard
Speaking further at its factory in Ota, Ogun state, Managing Director, Takashi Nakajima explained that as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), it needs some stimulation especially more patronage.
Accompanied by Head, Sales Marketing and Logistics, Remi Adams, , Factory Manager, Obadeyin Amos and Senior General Manager, Toshiyubi Hanabusa, the Managing Director said the company has an installed capacity of 1000 per year, which can be doubled if there are more patronage from customers and government.
He said: “We have an installed capacity of 1000 per year and daily capacity to assemble three units per day. For now, we are doing 50 per cent of the three units, that is, we do 1.5 units per day because of low sales and some other challenges”.
The Honda Managing Director said based on data gathered by individual efforts, the company has 10 per cent market share of the industry.
He said“We are ready to supply to government. We expect some patronage from the government though they have not shut their doors. Our sales have been more to the Corporates”.
“There is something about popularity acceptance. Government as enabler determines what citizens will do, which trickles down to what consumers buy. As OEM, our quality is guaranteed and our relationship with every customer is same”.
Speaking on the level of local professionals working in the factory, Remi Adams, head, sales marketing and logistics said the ratio is 99 per cent Nigerians to one foreigner. “You will see Nigerians everywhere. Once the experts are here to transfer technology they go back.”
He said: “As Honda, we can say the major action that the federal government needs now is hire purchase scheme with single digit interest rate.
He said the company is focused on quality and standards of product worldwide despite the difficult business environment.
“Since 2015, we have not closed down our factory maybe as a result of low sales or other issues, instead we reduce the volume we roll out on daily basis. There is always production, the week where production is low; there will be technical training for our staff for such week or period. For Honda, we believe starting strong and growing with it”.
Though the production of Honda Accord has been suspended at the factory, the company in line with its global vision continue to roll out Honda HR-V for customers across the country.
According to the company, the new generation HR-V embodies Honda’s simple, clean, modern design philosophy already seen in the Accord.
Defined by the same key design concepts of function and beauty, the compact coupe-inspired silhouette is familiar yet exciting in appearance, with a playful character and confident SUV stance.
Its sleek stance is achieved by increasing ground clearance by 25 mm, now a total of 195mm GC and reducing the front overhang further reinforce the robust SUV appeal.
According to the company, the HR-V offers greater leg room and shoulder space, for an enhanced feeling of spaciousness and comfort.
In addition to the 35 mm increase in rear leg room, there is an additional two-degree recline compared to the previous generation HR-V. The platform configuration also allows Honda to retain the exceptionally versatile rear Magic Seat set-up, that offers both fold-flat or flip-up seat flexibility, depending on load space required.
