The Honda Jazz received’t be getting an encore efficiency in Australia.
“I’ll be clear: Jazz isn’t in our plans,” mentioned Honda Australia boss Carolyn McMahon.
“However that’s to not say as we as we go ahead and have a look at what the market’s doing and what automobiles can be found to us.
“We proceed to scan for alternatives. But it surely’s not within the plans for us.”
The Jazz was discontinued in 2020 with the tip of manufacturing for the third-generation mannequin. Honda Australia additionally withdrew the Metropolis sedan, its different car within the gentle automobile phase.
The newest, fourth-generation Jazz is obtainable not solely in Japan and Europe, the place it was first revealed in 2019, but in addition a brief journey away in New Zealand.
Our Kiwi buddies can go for the crossover-look Crosstar, priced from NZ$30,700 earlier than on-road prices (A$28,700), whereas the most cost effective of two hybrid variants begins at NZ$36,700 (A$34,310).
The usual naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine produces 89kW of energy and 145Nm of torque, whereas the hybrid additionally encompasses a 78kW/127Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine however with two electrical motors that produce 90kW and 253Nm.
Mixed system output figures aren’t obtainable, however the claimed WLTP gas economic system determine for the Jazz hybrid is 3.8L/100km.
All NZ-spec fashions come normal with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise management, and lane-keep help, very like the newest Australian-spec Toyota Yaris.
The outdated Jazz was priced between $18,690 and $24,490 earlier than on-road prices in its final yr on the native market and lacked these options, and the brand new era would doubtless be costlier if it had been to ever be provided right here.
Nevertheless, the sunshine automobile phase has modified dramatically over the previous few years, with acquainted nameplates just like the Hyundai Accent, Suzuki Baleno, and (quickly) Kia Rio getting the axe, and fashions just like the Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris seeing vital worth rises albeit a correspondingly increased degree of security tools.
These modifications have seen the ageing MG 3 declare a share of over a 3rd of the phase, indicating there’s nonetheless a marketplace for a easy, eminently inexpensive gentle automobile that doesn’t have the newest in security expertise.
Honda switched to an company gross sales mannequin in July 2021, which sees it personal all its personal inventory – as a substitute of its franchise dealerships – and promote automobiles nationally at mounted costs.
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Earlier-generation Jazz
This transition additionally noticed Honda pare down its dealership community and mannequin line-up and deal with higher-spec automobiles.
With the brand new Eleventh-generation Civic, for instance, the bottom worth shot up by over $15,000, whereas the newest HR-V’s entry worth climbed by over $5000 to $36,700 drive-away.
With no Metropolis or Jazz anymore, the model’s most cost-effective is now the outgoing CR-V Vi at $35,900 drive-away – although the next-generation CR-V is nearly sure to have a better base worth.
The corporate says the Civic and Accord at the moment are “supporting” gamers and its focus is on SUVs this yr, however dominated out transitioning to an SUV-only lineup in Australia.
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