The Honda Jazz will not be getting an encore efficiency in Australia.
“I will be clear: Jazz is not in our plans,” stated Honda Australia boss Carolyn McMahon.
“However that is to not say as we go ahead and have a look at what the market’s doing and what automobiles can be found to us.
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“We proceed to scan for alternatives. However it’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 City sedan, its different automobile within the gentle automobile section.
The most recent, 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 pals can go for the crossover-look Crosstar, priced from NZ$30,700 earlier than on-road prices (A$28,700), whereas the most affordable of the 2 hybrid variants begins at NZ$36,700 (A$34,310).
The usual naturally aspirated 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine produces 89kW of energy and 145Nm of torque, whereas the hybrid additionally encompasses a 78kW/127Nm 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine however with two electrical motors that produce 90kW and 253Nm.
Mixed system output figures aren’t obtainable, however the claimed WLTP gasoline 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 most recent Australian-spec Toyota Yaris.
The outdated Jazz was priced between $18,690 and $24,490 earlier than on-road prices in its final 12 months on the native market and lacked these options, and the brand new technology would probably be costlier if it have been to ever be provided right here.
Nonetheless, the sunshine automobile section has modified dramatically over the previous few years, with acquainted nameplates just like the Hyundai Accent, Suzuki Balenoand (quickly) Kia Rio getting the axe, and fashions like that Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris seeing important value rises albeit a correspondingly increased stage of security gear.
These adjustments have seen the ageing MG 3 declare a share of over a 3rd of the section, indicating there’s nonetheless a marketplace for a easy, eminently inexpensive gentle automobile that does not have the most recent in security know-how.
Honda switched to an company gross sales mannequin in July 2021, which sees it personal all its personal inventory – as an alternative of its franchise dealerships – and promote automobiles nationally at fastened costs.
This transition additionally noticed Honda pare down its dealership community and mannequin line-up and deal with higher-spec automobiles.
With the brand new 11th-generation Civicfor instance, the bottom value shot up by over $15,000, whereas the most recent HR-V’s entry value 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 one CR-V Vi at $35,900 drive-away – though the next-generation CR-V is sort of sure to have the next base value.
The corporate says the Civic and Accord at the moment are “supporting” gamers and its focus is on SUVs this 12 months, however ruled out transitioning to an SUV-only lineup in Australia.
MORE: Sales collapse tracked: Where did all the cheap small cars go?MORE: Everything Honda Jazz
