Honda unveils new Odyssey minivan
TOKYO —
Honda Motor Corp on Thursday unveiled new models of its minivan Odyssey for the Japanese market. Four standard types will be released Friday and one model with lift-up front passenger seat on Nov 13.
“The Japanese (car) market is still in a difficult situation,” said Honda President Takeo Fukui. “We are counting on these new models to boost the domestic market. Our target is sell one million Odysseys through 2009.”
All the models can be equipped with the Multi-view Camera System as an option for assisting drivers when parking the car through fish-eye camera images on the navigation screen.
The company is targeting consumers in their 30s to 40s, expecting 4,000 sales a month. The price range will be 2,590,000 yen to 3,610,000 yen. The TV commercial features Hollywood star George Clooney.
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WilliB
We have one, an older version. I don´t know why the article calls it a "minivan"... there is nothing mini about it. It is larger than normal station wagon and seats 7. Good car though, has never given us any trouble.
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electric2004
How can 4000 cars a month add up to one million cars in one Year until 2009? Or does it mean 50000 cars in one year in Japan as 5% and 95% abroad? Something is wrong with the numbers or the reporting.
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thepro
Cars look so so boring these days
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PASHA_51
Not impressive look
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Asara
what is gas milage? in a few years barrel of oil will exceed 200$. but car industry is in deep sleep about it or trying produce sci-cars like hydrogine etc...
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Youdontknow
Asara - oil will not exceed $200. It's already dropped down to just over $80, the gas pumps are not reflecting that yet though.
I've been driving an RA6 Odyssey since 2002 - never had a single bit of trouble with it, it's stylish, took two seats out to give it a large interior, and unlike my friend's BMW, hasn't had to go into the repair shop for mechanical failures EVER!!
I like the look of the new Odyssey. The RA2 that came out shortly after the RA6 is just hideous - looks more like a hearse than anything else!
In these harsh times, I think Honda would do well to just load this car up with all the goodies - TV, Navi, Cameras, etc, as freebies! Then they might just hit their target, but I doubt it otherwise.
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Youdontknow
Meant to add: The Japanese model is much sleeker and lower than the ugly looking US version, which still resembles an MPV from Mazda! In the Japanese version, it's good to see that Honda has returned to its prior design based around the RA6 and not the RA2.
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Youdontknow
PS) Gas mileage is around 16kms per litre, more or less depending on how fast and far you drive. This car is much better at gas consumption on long journeys. Once drove to Tokyo from Yamaguchi without having to refill - THAT'S how good this car is!
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Jazz4
Forget fossil fuels. Honda better jump on the electric bandwagon fast or they will be left behind the pack. The Kei car is an ideal platform for an electric runabout if they can be driven for 150km before a recharge. Why havent they produced an affordable small electric car so far? Japan can save tons of money if they dont import the oil. Better wake up or bite the dust like GM and FORD.
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presto345
Well, I've driven my super luxurious V6 hydropneumatic sus vehicle without refilling from Hiroshima to Yokohama too. But the tank holds 90 liters! I agree with what someone else said: 'cars look so boring nowadays'. Japanese cars are reliable, but mostly boring - still. But that is no surprise as the taste of the public is bland, boring.
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presto345
Good question!! I myself was talking about Hiroshima City :-)
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helloklitty
If that's true, then it must mean that flashy looks are not as important as quality. This is truly the greatest generation!
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rtrhead1
why should quality and style be mutually exclusive?
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