Only 19 units for 2023, here's how Honda Malaysia picks who gets to buy the FL5 Honda Civic Type R

The FL5 generation Honda Civic Type R was launched in Malaysia earlier today, priced at RM 399,900. That’s quite a big jump from the previous FK8 generation model, which was last sold at circa RM 330k, but as you know, our 'shrink-git' Ringgit is also no longer what it was.

Also, tight supply will keep prices high for quite a while. In Japan, there’s now a 2-year waiting list (it was at one point, up to 4 years) for the FL5 Civic Type R, and Honda dealers in Japan have been asked to stop taking anymore orders for the car.

Also read: There's now a 4-year waiting period for FL5 Honda Civic Type R in Japan, orders paused

Given the current situation in the supply chain, it’s quite commendable that Honda Malaysia managed to secure 19 units for this year. More units will come in due course but for now, there’s only 19 units for the whole of Malaysia, excluding Honda Malaysia’s own internal unit seen here.

In case you’re wondering, there is no first-come-first-serve method in allocating the customer cars. Just because you are the first name on the list doesn’t guarantee you a car.

Instead, buyers will be selected by a ballot, like how it’s done in Japan.

To qualify for the ballot, buyers must pay a RM 3,500 booking fee (RM 2,500 for duty-free Langkawi and Labuan areas).

The buyers’ details will be vetted, for verification that it’s a genuine buyer. They also need to sign a legal document where the buyer agrees that if he/she is successful in the ballot but declines to make the remaining payment to proceed with the purchase, Honda Malaysia will only refund the buyer 75 percent of the booking fee.

Genuine buyers who are unsuccessful in the ballot will get a full 100 percent refund.

To ensure transparency, the ballot process will be done physically, with the buyer’s printed documents, in accordance to Honda Malaysia’s audit compliance processes.

The balloting will be recorded on video and the entire process will need to stand up to both internal and external audit, just like it’s financial documents.

As mentioned earlier, although only 19 cars are allocated for 2023, more units will be coming next year. The number of units is still uncertain because, Honda distributors all over the world are also clamouring for more allocations.

The officially imported FL5 Honda Civic Type R is only available in Championship White, and like all cars sold by Honda Malaysia, is covered by a 5-year / unlimited mileage warranty but of course, track activities (or modifications) will void the warranty.