Honda Australia has confirmed that is is struggling for stock of some of its most important and popular models, like the HR-V small SUV, and Civic hatch.
The stock issues are semiconductor related, and are said to mostly affect the brand’s important new hybrid range.
In a statement, Honda said e:HEV self-charging hybrid versions of the Civic and HR-V had now blown out to nine months for prospective buyers, while stock levels of non-hybrid variants retained “good stock and shorter wait times”.
The new-generation HR-V that launched last year is available in just two variants, with drive-away pricing set at $36,700 for the non-hybrid Vi-X, or $47,000 for the e:HEV L. Both are powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable automatic, with the non-hybrid version producing 78kW/131Nm and the hybrid version producing a combined 96kW.
Meanwhile, Honda has only recently added the hybrid version of the Civic to its range, which now only consists of the high-grade LX with or without e:HEV, and the Type R hot hatch.
The LX costs from $47,200 for the non-hybrid, or $55,00 for the hybrid, while the Type R commands a $72,600 drive-away price-tag. The Civic LX is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine driving the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic, and it has power outputs of 131kW/240Nm for the non-hybrid. The Hybrid Civic LX meanwhile scores a 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle engine, producing a combined output of 135kW.
The Type R waitlist is the longest of any Honda model, extending to 20 months. Honda says deliveries of new orders are now expected well into 2024. The Type R drives the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission and is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235kW/420Nm.
Honda Australia says stock levels of its popular CR-V mid-size SUV have returned to good levels. The SUV maintains the most expansive line-up in Honda’s range, spanning seven variants including two seven-seat versions, and drive-away prices reaching from $35,900 for the base Vi to $53,600 for the VTi LX AWD.
Despite this range, the CR-V is yet to score a hybrid variant, and a long-awaited next-generation version has been revealed, arriving later this year in overseas markets.
Honda’s next move in Australia will be to launch its latest new global SUV, the ZR-V, due mid-2023. The ZR-V sits between the smaller new-generation HR-V and larger CR-V, plugging an important gap in the brand’s line-up, and providing it with a rival to the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Seltos, and Toyota Corolla Cross.
Mechanically it shares its drivetrain and much of its interior features with the Civic hatch, including the four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain.
Honda says its expected wait times are based on January production numbers, and are subject to change throughout the course of 2023.
Since its change to an ‘agency model’ forgoing a classic dealer model, as well as introducing a stripped-down and more expensive range, Honda’s sales have dropped, down 19.1 per cent for the year ending 2022, moving a decades-low volume of just 14,215 units. The brand pins much of its future success on the introduction of the new-generation CR-V and ZR-V. Watch this space.
Keyword: No hybrids in sight! Wait times for 2023 Honda HR-V and Civic blow out as industry continues to be hit by supply shortages