Is it true Japan Fit will have a new design for 2006 and we (Canadian) will have the actual design for 2006.[img]images/icons/icon9.gif[/img]

 

By this time of the year almost all the 2006 model cars and bikes are already available in Japan (or at least announced/rumoured) as they have to be coming off the production line for shipping schedules. No new Fit yet (midlife facelift model was launched in Japan mid '04 and original model late '01). If Japan hasn't got it, no chance anyone else will get it before them.

IF a new JDM model eventuates for the 2nd half of next year in Japan it will be too late for the launches in Canada or the US. Production capacity is prioritised by Honda in Japan with the domestic market always taking precidence over all foreign markets and then certain foreign markets are given priority over certain others. This is the top selling car in Japan and highest volume selling Honda car in history, production ramping is slower than for small volume products.

IF the car is a success in Canada and the US then it will not continue to be sourced from Japan. For Honda to wait 5 years before attempting to launch the vehicle in Canada and the US and after it has been launch everywhere else in the world (and a glowing success) puts these remaining markets into their global perspective.

Overseas factories were tooled after Japan so they are not likely to retool for a changed model at the same time as Japan. You are not likely to see a newer model than the rest of the world then get the older model when its sourced from another factory / country.

 

I personally think right now Honda is aiming for calendar year 2007 for the second-generation Honda Fit/Jazz model. That way, it will allow all worldwide factories that build the Fit/Jazz (Japan, Thailand, Brazil, China, soon Turkey, and possibly one of Honda's North American assembly lines) to do a simultaneous changeover to the new model in both five-door hatchback and four-door sedan versions.

In short, the North American market will probably get one year of the MMC version, then switch over to the new model.

 

put it in one year and switch to a new model? doesn't sound convincing.

 

Actually, it does make sense given that when the second-generation model arrives for the US/Canadian-market it will likely be manufactured at East Liberty, Ohio, Marysville, Ohio and/or Alliston, Ontario assembly lines. That way, Honda can satisfy demand for US/Canadian/Mexican buyers of the Fit from its North American plants and South American buyers at the Brazilian plant.

 

When has Honda released a model in the U.S. recently and only carried one year before a major re-tool? Not very confidence inspiring for consumers and I don't think they'll start pulling crap like that now.
As far as "global perspective" is concerned I don't think Australian sales volume holds a candle to the North Ameriacn Market - Honda just sells what N.A. market supports -
Were not Element and Ridgeline developed for North America first, where ever else second...

 

Australian sales volume doesn't even rate on a global scale. We are a tiny country of 19 million people. Singapore is the same size as Sydney and its our largest city.

The large motorbike factory in Japan produces the equivalent of Australia's annual bike sales in a quarter of one day.

We are headed for the largest number of new cars sold in one year in the history of Australia. The number - 1 million. That's total sales of all makes and models in a year.

Its hardly a major exercise to send a new model car out to Australia because it is such a tiny market. This is why we were the 1st country outside Japan to get the VTEC Jazz/Fit. If it meets Japanese standards then it pretty much meets Australias so no or very little modification necessary. We drive on the same side of the road as Japan and the rest of Asia so again no modification. If a car is sent out to Australia and its not a success its no big deal because again the numbers are sooooo tiny.

The US is not exactly a small car market so manufacturers are going to launch what makes them sales success before taking any huge risks - US market = big, hulking, gas guzzling SUVs because of subsidies and cheap fuel. This is why every manufacturer makes this type of vehicle in North America - Merc, BMW, Honda, etc, etc. They might as well just manufacture in the biggest market for these sorts of vehicles and save on the shipping costs.

For similar reasons Honda Gullwings are manufactured in the US and exported back to Japan and the rest of the world.