PT Honda Prospect Motor (HPM) confirmed that they had stopped exporting Honda Brio to the Vietnam market. This was done because the Karawang-assembled Brio did not meet the emission standards set there.
Business Innovation and Sales & Marketing Director of PT HPM, Yusak Billy explained, stopping the export of Honda Brio to Vietnam had been carried out since the end of 2021.
"We will finally export to Vietnam in 2021 because there are new rules there that must use Euro 5. So we are no longer exporting there for Brio," explained Billy, at the GIIAS 2022 exhibition, recently.
Currently, continued Billy, HPM's Honda Brio still has Euro 4 emission standards. The country that still cooperates with the export of Brio is the Philippines.
"For Brio to look at each country's market, because the dimensions of the car are indeed small. So now there are only 2 countries and when there is a new regulation, it must be Euro 5 in Vietnam, now it's only the Philippines. So it's not us who offer it, but those who ask," he said.
According to him, it is not easy with a 1,200 cc engine to adjust to new emission standards. Actually it could be, but there is a big development and the possibility of changing the selling price of the car.
"So now it is no longer exported, I can't say forever or permanently depending on the rules. But because Vietnam requires Euro 5, we are no longer exporting there but continuing to the Philippines," he concluded.
Already Shipped 22 Thousands of Honda Brio Units
Honda Brio was exported to the Vietnam and Philippines automotive markets in April 2019. Since it was first exported, the model was shipped in large numbers.
Until now, the total exports of Brio made by the Honda factory in Karawang have reached 22,260 units. For information, this car is only made and exported by HPM, meaning that the Brio that is circulating in Vietnam and the Philippines is assembled by Indonesia.
The Golden Boy
Honda Brio debuted in Indonesia for the first time in 2012, when it was still in full import status or CBU from Thailand. In the following year or in 2013 HPM will assemble local Brio and produce a cheap version or LCGC.
This car became the backbone of HPM sales, so it's no wonder it was 'golden' with large investment funds. From 2012 to 2018, Honda has provided an injection of Rp. 1.2 trillion in funds, plus a long-term plan for 2019 and forward of Rp. 5.1 trillion. So that Honda's total investment for this car reached IDR 6.3 trillion.
Since 2012, Honda Brio has managed to record domestic sales of 453,253 units, referring to the latest data for July 2022. When calculated, this car has contributed at least 40 percent of total HPM sales in the country.
It should also be noted that Brio is the model that has the highest Domestic Content Level (TKDN) or local purchases, reaching 95 percent. HPM even confidently labeled the Honda Brio as a nationalist car during its 10 year anniversary some time ago.
"Local purchases from Honda Brio have reached 95 percent, I would say this is the highest of our models. We are very proud to be able to provide and develop this Honda Brio," added Billy.
