The Honda WR-V, the rival to the Toyota Raize/Daihatsu Rocky twins, is ready for the export market and will make it to a couple of ASEAN markets as its first stop, reports our sister site in Indonesia Autofun.co.id.
Yusak Billy, the company's Business Innovation and Marketing & Sales Director says that exports of the model will begin in this quarter of the year. The WR-V is assembled in PT Honda Prospect Motor's Karawang plant.
"The export models for Honda cars made in Indonesia are currently the BR-V, Brio and WR-V. The BR-V is exported to 30 countries, including North, Central, and South America.
Brio in two countries, and the WR-V is planned for export in the first quarter to two Asian countries," said Billy who added that both upcoming markets for the WR-V are right-hand drive (RHD) ones."
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One of them is said to be Thailand, as there's news that it'll be the next country to launch to introduce the small SUV in the upcoming Bangkok Motor Show.
Speculation says that the Thai-market WR-V should have similar specifications to the Indonesian car. Things like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, six airbags, Honda LaneWatch, and the suite of Honda Sensing ADAS.
Though powertrain is still a question for the Thai-market car, the WR-V as sold in Indonesia runs off a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder engine, making 121 PS and 145 Nm. Linked to a CVT-type automatic transmission, it's front-wheel drive (FWD).
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It's been a boon for Honda, the WR-V. At least in Indonesia, sales have been promising. With 1,780 units sold – equalling 42% market share – January 2023, it was the nation's Small SUV segment market leader.
A Malaysian introduction could be on the cards too, but prices are rumoured to hover between RM 90,000 and RM 100,000 range.
