The arrival this month of Honda’s new ZR-V SUV could well be the panacea that
the Japanese company needs to lift sales. The new mid-sized SUV means Honda
now has two vehicles in the mid-size SUV segment which now accounts for
almost one quarter of all new vehicles sold. Honda Australia sales last year
dropped to 14,215, down from a record 60,529 in 2007 and the company is hopeful
that the new mid-size ZR-V and the larger next generation CR-V due shortly will
end its period of decline. Four variants of the ZR-V are now in showrooms, three
with 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and one hybrid which combines a 2.0-litre petrol
engine and small electric motor to reduce petrol consumption. Prices start at
$40,200 drive-away and run to $54,900 drive-away and under Honda’s agency
model are non-negotiable. I’m David Berthon

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