In Europe, up until the end of June, Honda shifted just 11,678 examples of the Honda Jazz Mk4.Ouch, not great figures. I hope they don't call it a day.
22k for the year would make it the poorest sales year EVER for the Jazz. And a far cry from the 87k shifted in 2005.
Thoughts?
So why didn’t they promote the Crosstar which does have small SUV looks?
So why didn’t they promote the Crosstar which does have small SUV looks?
Well because it doesn’t really, does it? An SUV? It is literally a Jazz with extra plastic and 15mm more suspension height.
So why didn’t they promote the Crosstar which does have small SUV looks?
Well because it doesn’t really, does it? An SUV? It is literally a Jazz with extra plastic and 15mm more suspension height.
Toyota have managed to do it with the Yaris Cross. Using your description (amended), a Yaris with extra plastic and extra ride height. It often features in car comparisons of small SUVs. In my opinion Honda got their marketing wrong as the Crosstar wording and promotion was lifestyle, pictures of surfing etc. But by also labelling it Jazz this in the U.K. at any rate automatically associates it with the older driver, which won’t help sell them to younger people.
I rarely watch TV and never listen to commercial radio, but do Honda have any advertising in the UK? Can't be helping.
I have heard rumours that Honda may be considering doing a 'Mitsubishi' & pull out of U.K.
The Ozzies also are worried for the same reason!
My dealer denies it of course.
I have just got back from a few days away. In the hotel car park there was a Crosstar and a Yaris Cross parked next to each other. The Crosstar was a shinny dark grey and it looked good in that colour. Side by side the Yaris Cross looked a much bigger car. It is also looks substantially bigger than standard Yaris and is obviously not just a jacked-up Yaris. I have a Corolla and although the Yaris Cross is slightly shorter and narrower its extra height, raised bonnet and chunky appearance make it look bigger. It also has a good sized boot.
I had a good look at the Yaris Cross a couple of weeks ago when my RAV4 was in for servicing and MOT. It is actually surprisingly cramped inside.
The one thing that strikes me about the modern mass motor 'car' industry is their lack of originality. They seem hell bent on being followers of fashion to the extent they increasingly morph into one. I think a lot of it is to do with the bottom line and staying in business where risk of failure is a major consideration. For me, the current trend in fussy body lines and styling and an obsession with virtual technology in and out of the cabin all point to an industry that has run out of ideas. Looking back over the years, there are standout models which set the pace and trends, be it the Mini, the Golf or indeed the Jazz. I want a car to be reliable, reasonably engaging to drive with a design that looks half decent and practicality to match. It's not rocket science. I drove a Renault Cactus a couple of years ago (hire car) and it was awful. Full of gadgets and it felt like driving a motorised armchair with no engagement on the road. From time to time, I run my eye over the motorbike industry as an ex bike owner. The Honda CB500 range has been a huge success and continues to sell. Why? Value for money, simplicity, rock solid reliability using largely conventional technology such as cable throttles (remember them), outstanding fuel economy 80-85 MPG, superb and predictable handling, and quick enough to get a move on if necessary. This is a formula for success and Honda are smart enough to recognise that in this case.
Unfortunately in the UK, the Jazz is seen as a car for "older drivers"! So Polo, Fiesta and Corsa takes all the sales from "younger drivers".It's quite obvious to me that the 'younger drivers' have never experienced/tried the Jazz, particularly the Mk4.
Unfortunately in the UK, the Jazz is seen as a car for "older drivers"! So Polo, Fiesta and Corsa takes all the sales from "younger drivers".It's quite obvious to me that the 'younger drivers' have never experienced/tried the Jazz, particularly the Mk4.
I have no doubt that the Mk4 Jazz will 'see off' any Polo, Fiesta or Corsa, with it's superior EV power plus a 1500cc engine. ;D
The one thing that strikes me about the modern mass motor 'car' industry is their lack of originality. They seem hell bent on being followers of fashion to the extent they increasingly morph into one. I think a lot of it is to do with the bottom line and staying in business where risk of failure is a major consideration. For me, the current trend in fussy body lines and styling and an obsession with virtual technology in and out of the cabin all point to an industry that has run out of ideas. Looking back over the years, there are standout models which set the pace and trends, be it the Mini, the Golf or indeed the Jazz. I want a car to be reliable, reasonably engaging to drive with a design that looks half decent and practicality to match. It's not rocket science. I drove a Renault Cactus a couple of years ago (hire car) and it was awful. Full of gadgets and it felt like driving a motorised armchair with no engagement on the road. From time to time, I run my eye over the motorbike industry as an ex bike owner. The Honda CB500 range has been a huge success and continues to sell. Why? Value for money, simplicity, rock solid reliability using largely conventional technology such as cable throttles (remember them), outstanding fuel economy 80-85 MPG, superb and predictable handling, and quick enough to get a move on if necessary. This is a formula for success and Honda are smart enough to recognise that in this case.
Yes, agreed. As an ex biker I agree about the Honda too (although I am a staunch Triumph man). I have just turned 60, but in no way do I class my self as a conventional 'oldie' 60 year old. I bought the Jazz because it offered a high level of practicality.
Incidentally, the Cactus is Citroen.
The one thing that strikes me about the modern mass motor 'car' industry is their lack of originality. They seem hell bent on being followers of fashion to the extent they increasingly morph into one. I think a lot of it is to do with the bottom line and staying in business where risk of failure is a major consideration. For me, the current trend in fussy body lines and styling and an obsession with virtual technology in and out of the cabin all point to an industry that has run out of ideas. Looking back over the years, there are standout models which set the pace and trends, be it the Mini, the Golf or indeed the Jazz. I want a car to be reliable, reasonably engaging to drive with a design that looks half decent and practicality to match. It's not rocket science. I drove a Renault Cactus a couple of years ago (hire car) and it was awful. Full of gadgets and it felt like driving a motorised armchair with no engagement on the road. From time to time, I run my eye over the motorbike industry as an ex bike owner. The Honda CB500 range has been a huge success and continues to sell. Why? Value for money, simplicity, rock solid reliability using largely conventional technology such as cable throttles (remember them), outstanding fuel economy 80-85 MPG, superb and predictable handling, and quick enough to get a move on if necessary. This is a formula for success and Honda are smart enough to recognise that in this case.
Yes, agreed. As an ex biker I agree about the Honda too (although I am a staunch Triumph man). I have just turned 60, but in no way do I class my self as a conventional 'oldie' 60 year old. I bought the Jazz because it offered a high level of practicality.
Incidentally, the Cactus is Citroen.
Yes, you are quite right about the Cactus being Citroen. I knew it was French but I was on a bit of a roll. Are you ever tempted back into the saddle?
The one thing that strikes me about the modern mass motor 'car' industry is their lack of originality. They seem hell bent on being followers of fashion to the extent they increasingly morph into one. I think a lot of it is to do with the bottom line and staying in business where risk of failure is a major consideration. For me, the current trend in fussy body lines and styling and an obsession with virtual technology in and out of the cabin all point to an industry that has run out of ideas. Looking back over the years, there are standout models which set the pace and trends, be it the Mini, the Golf or indeed the Jazz. I want a car to be reliable, reasonably engaging to drive with a design that looks half decent and practicality to match. It's not rocket science. I drove a Renault Cactus a couple of years ago (hire car) and it was awful. Full of gadgets and it felt like driving a motorised armchair with no engagement on the road. From time to time, I run my eye over the motorbike industry as an ex bike owner. The Honda CB500 range has been a huge success and continues to sell. Why? Value for money, simplicity, rock solid reliability using largely conventional technology such as cable throttles (remember them), outstanding fuel economy 80-85 MPG, superb and predictable handling, and quick enough to get a move on if necessary. This is a formula for success and Honda are smart enough to recognise that in this case.
Yes, agreed. As an ex biker I agree about the Honda too (although I am a staunch Triumph man). I have just turned 60, but in no way do I class my self as a conventional 'oldie' 60 year old. I bought the Jazz because it offered a high level of practicality.
Incidentally, the Cactus is Citroen.
Yes, you are quite right about the Cactus being Citroen. I knew it was French but I was on a bit of a roll. Are you ever tempted back into the saddle?
No, but it doesn't mean I don't miss it. I watched a few mates get killed though no fault of their own, watched the roads get more dangerous and the level of driving standards fall. However, it was a couple of medical issues that finally got me off the bike. My neck has a few problems, so wearing a helmet AND the possibility of getting knocked off damaging my neck further... coupled with the fact that my hip was becoming problematic, so kicking off a Triumph was getting harder each time. Funnily, its the building/restoration of a bike that I miss more than the riding.
I had 3 Citroen Xantias but I would never buy French again, for political reasons.