Jakarta –
There are more and more rivals for the Honda HR-V. From Japanese, Chinese, to Korean manufacturers, it is known that they are competing to present SUVs in the country.
SUV type cars are increasingly enlivening the streets in Indonesia. There are even more choices. Understandably the trend of SUV cars in Indonesia is increasing. It’s no wonder that almost all manufacturers present SUVs with their respective advantages.
Of all the SUVs presented in Indonesia, one of the models that often gets the spotlight is the Honda HR-V. The Honda HR-V itself is arguably one of the best-selling SUVs in Indonesia. HR-V also often fills the list of best-selling cars in the country every month.
Even so, in the compact SUV segment, the Honda HR-V is not alone. There are many rivals trying to ‘beat’ HR-V. At the end of 2021, for example, Hyundai is trying to tempt HR-V lovers by presenting the Creta. In terms of dimensions, features, the Hyundai Creta and Honda HR-V are not much different. But when it comes to prices, the Hyundai Creta is offered more affordable. The Hyundai Creta sells for the cheapest 350 million to the most expensive Rp 408.3 million.
Then in 2022, Honda completely changed the appearance of the HR-V. This method seems to be quite successful in stopping Creta’s pace. It’s proven in 2022, HR-V catches up with Creta’s sales gap. Armed with this new face, the Honda HR-V is also included in the list of best-selling cars in 2022 at 13th place. HR-V sales on a wholesale basis were recorded at 23,294 units. Meanwhile, Creta, which had excelled, didn’t even make it to the list of best-selling cars last year.
Entering 2023, the Honda HR-V’s rivals are increasing. Most recently, there are two models, both of which come from the Bamboo Curtain country. First there is Chery via Omoda 5. Chery Omoda 5 is presented to ‘trafficking’ the Honda HR-V. It can be seen from the design, features, to the engine, Chery is trying to tempt compact SUV lovers with the Omoda 5.
However, if you compare it from the engine side, only one variant of the Honda HR-V is directly opposite the Omoda 5, namely the Turbo RS. This is because only the Honda HR-V RS turbo carries the same 1.5L turbo engine as the Omoda 5. Meanwhile, other Honda HR-V variants use a naturally aspirated 1.5L engine.
No less important is the price of the Chery Omoda 5 which is arguably more affordable than the Honda HR-V. The Honda HR-V for the 1.5L engine costs the cheapest Rp. 375.9 million to Rp. 416.1 million. Meanwhile, the Honda HR-V RS turbo costs IDR 529.9 million. Just for comparison, Chery Omoda 5 is offered in two variants with prices of IDR 328 million and IDR 398 million respectively.
It doesn’t stop at Chery Omoda 5. Another Chinese manufacturer trying to ‘beat up’ the Honda HR-V is Wuling Alvez. Interestingly, Alvez’s price is the cheapest compared to rivals in its class. There are three variants of Wuling Alvez that are sold in Indonesia. The cheapest price is Rp. 209 million, then Rp. 255 million, and the most expensive is Rp. 295 million.
Competition in SUVs will obviously heat up. Especially with the presence of the newcomers. Then can the Honda HR-V maintain its sales and still fill the best-selling car list? Or did the Chinese and Korean cars succeed in displacing the HR-V? Price is indeed one of the considerations before buying a car. But no less important, easy maintenance, and low cost of ownership are also taken into consideration. What do you think about this?
Watch Video “Far adrift, this is the sales figure of the Hyundai Creta vs the Honda HR-V“
(dry/din)
