HONDA MALAYSIA RECALLS 2,814 UNITS OF HR-V (2016YM) TO REPLACE FRONT STABILISER BAR

Honda Malaysia today announced a product recall for 2,814 units of HR-V 2016 Year Model due to the possibility that the front stabiliser bar may break under high stress. All other Honda current selling models are not affected by this recall.

According to Honda Malaysia, the stabiliser bar breakage is due to insufficient temperature control during its production process, resulting in compromised strength of the stabiliser bar and thus, leading to possible breakage during high stress. Breakage of the stabiliser bar might cause wheels to be unbalanced, resulting in instability during a drive and the car pulling to the left or right.

As of today, there are no incidences of crashes or injuries related to this issue reported in Malaysia. Honda Malaysia is taking this preemptive measure to ensure customer safety and sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused to all affected customers.

All affected front stabiliser bars will be replaced with newly made parts. Currently, Honda Malaysia has 50% of the replacement parts in stock nationwide, and parts availability will be at 100% in mid-November 2017.

Honda Malaysia would like to assure all customers that the company is committed to its mission to maintain the best product performance; hence the proactive measure is being taken to avoid any possible damages or accidents.

All affected customers will be informed via notification letters, which will include details of the product recall. Customers who receive the letter are advised to send their vehicles to the nearest Honda authorised dealer nationwide for inspection and replacement. All cost related to this replacement activity will be borne by Honda Malaysia.

Honda Malaysia strongly encourages all affected customers to replace the affected stabiliser bar urgently once they receive the letter as its breakage can potentially lead to tyre puncture and instability.

Honda customers are urged to check their vehicle recall status either by logging on to www.honda.com.my or www.productrecall.honda.com.my today or by calling the Honda Toll Free number 1-800-88-2020.

HONDA MALAYSIA TO WELCOME NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, MR. TOICHI ISHIYAMA

Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. today announced that Mr. Toichi Ishiyama will be succeeding Mr. Katsuto Hayashi as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Ishiyama will officially assume office in Malaysia on 1 November 2017. He is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Limited. The career of Mr. Ishiyama, 48, spans 25 years in Honda in various roles in Japan, USA, Thailand, China and Pakistan. During his assignments in Thailand and China, Mr. Ishiyama delved deep into understanding local markets in relation to automobile. With more than 20 years of experience in researching markets and product planning, Mr. Ishiyama’s forte is an advantage towards ensuring that Honda Malaysia continues its strong momentum as the No.1 Non-National Vehicle Brand and No.2 in overall Total Industry Volume (TIV).

Mr. Ishiyama has indicated that he will continue to focus on total excellence in products and customer experience to emphasise the Joy of Buying for Malaysians. He believes the strategy put in place by Mr. Hayashi will see Honda Malaysia through to another achievement year, reaching the target of 100,000 units in sales for this year.

During his tenure in Malaysia, Mr. Hayashi successfully strengthened Honda Malaysia’s position as the No.1 in Non-National segment and No.2 in overall TIV and in the process, also attained No.1 position in terms of market share among Honda automobile operations worldwide in some of those months. The company achieved the highest local market share in history in March 2017, at 20.5%. Honda Malaysia recorded 100,000 sales units in the fiscal year of April 2016 to March 2017 as well celebrated its historical 600,000th production unit under Mr. Hayashi’s watch.

Preparing Honda Malaysia for the next growth phase, Mr. Hayashi strategically switched focus to offer more Advanced Technology to customers. Under the theme of Next Generation Advanced Technology, turbocharged engine was introduced last year. Mr. Hayashi was praised greatly for the success of the Civic with turbocharged engine variant as an option for Malaysians. Civic was the pioneer mass production Japanese model in Malaysia to be fitted with turbocharged engine to suit local demand.

This focus was further expanded with the launch of Sport Hybrid i-DCD variants, making Malaysia the only country outside of Japan to introduce the highly accepted environmental friendly powertrain that does not compromise the fun-to-drive element of the car. To date, Honda Malaysia is the leader of hybrid segment in Malaysia. Honda Malaysia also introduced the All-New CR-V with Honda SENSING to offer a new level of advanced safety. Meanwhile, the soon-to-be launched All-New Civic Type R 2.0L VTEC Turbocharged, which has been recorded as the fastest front-wheel drive production car, is set to exhilarate customers who demand the thrill and fun of the throttle in their drive. In total, Mr. Hayashi steered Honda Malaysia’s launch of five new models and expansion by four new dealers to a total of 90 Honda dealers nationwide.

Mr. Hayashi who led Honda Malaysia for one and a half years, will be taking on a new role as the General Manager, Overseas Operation Division (Americas), Regional Operation (North America) in Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in Japan.

Statement by Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. : Additional Replacement Activities for Takata Front Airbag Inflators

Below is Honda Malaysia's latest update with regards to their on-going campaign for the Takata airbag recall. Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. continues alerting and informing customers of the importance of replacing the affected vehicle’s Takata airbag inflators, via increased frequency of postings on social media and SMS blast. Owners of Honda vehicles affected by the Takata airbag inflator product recall are advised to immediately get their vehicles checked and parts replaced at any Honda Authorized Service Centres, Shopping Mall Hubs or at PETRONAS Stations as soon as possible.

START OF OFFICIAL HONDA MALAYSIA PRESS STATEMENT

Honda Malaysia announced today that it will increase the locations to replace Takata front airbag inflators to provide further convenience to affected customers in its commitment to ensure the safety of customers.

HONDA MALAYSIA DEBUTS UNI-CUB β MOBILITY DEVICE AT ISETAN THE JAPAN STORE

Starting from October 27th (2016), malaysians will now have the never-before opportunity to ride on Honda’s personal mobility device, UNI-CUB β, at ISETAN The Japan Store in Lot 10 Shopping Centre for a limited time.

The UNI-CUB β is making its debut in Malaysia in a collaboration between Honda Malaysia and ISETAN The Japan Store. The public can have a first-hand experience of this Honda advanced technology through a ten-minute ride on the UNI-CUB β. The demonstration and ride-on sessions start from 11:00 am until 9:00 pm from 27 October to 24 November 2016 at the Technology & Promotion section of ISETAN The Japan Store located at Ground Floor in Lot 10 Shopping
Centre.

The name UNI-CUB is derived from the "UNI" in "unique," "universal" and "unicycle" while the "CUB" comes from Honda's well-known Cub series of motorcycles, signifying that UNI-CUB is a convenient device that anyone can use.

A personal mobility device designed for harmony with people featuring the World’s First Omni-Directional Driving Wheel System (Honda Omni Traction Drive System), the UNI-CUB β provides freedom of movement going forward, backward, side-to-side and diagonally by shifting body weight. The combination of this unique wheel system with a compact size, comfortable saddle and Honda's proprietary balance control technology gives the rider the same freedom of movement that people enjoy when walking. The balance control technology of UNI-CUB β is part of the Honda Robotics family of technologies, which originates from Honda's research into humanoid robots, including ASIMO.

One of the advanced technologies from Japan, the UNI-CUB evolved from the U3-X which was demonstrated in Honda’s showcase during Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) in 2010. Introduced in May 2012, the UNI-CUB aimed to offer ease of control and a high degree of mobility to riders in barrier-free indoor environments such as offices, shopping mall, airport, museum and library.

In 2013, Honda announced the enhanced version, the UNI-CUB β, designed to be even more user-friendly for a wider range of people. The UNI-CUB β is smaller and lighter than its previous version. A new design and materials were adopted to enhance the senses of unity of the user with the UNI-CUB β. In order to enhance usability, the ease of getting on and off the device was improved through the addition of a stand function. In April 2014, Honda began the UNI-CUB β rental service for business customers in Japan.

For more information on UNI-CUB β, please log on to http://world.honda.com/UNI-CUB