Honda cuts Odyssey price

HONDA has joined the growing list of Japanese car-makers that are reducing showroom prices following a free-trade deal last year, with $1380 shaved from its entry level Odyssey.

With the reductions, the two-variant range now starts from $37,610 before on-road costs for the VTi, while the better equipped VTi-L now kicks off from $46,040 – a reduction of $1380 and $1580 respectively.

Only models sourced from Japan are affected by the trade agreement and as such, no other Hondas sold in Australia will receive price adjustments.

The Accord Euro is produced in Japan but with its imminent demise in Australia, pricing will remain the same until its exit, says Honda. The same also applies to hybrid models made in Japan, which are also in runout.

Honda is satisfied with the performance of the Odyssey and its 2552 sales since the introduction of the fifth-generation model at the start of last year.

Honda Australia director Stephen Collins said the price cuts continue the company's commitment to customer satisfaction.

“Honda Australia is committed to providing our customers with the very best value for money,” he said “This is why we will reposition the price of our Honda Odyssey range in-line with the free trade agreement between Australia and Japan.”The agreement allows Japanese manufacturers to dodge a five per cent import tariff when bringing vehicles into Australia, and since the deal was struck between Australia and Japan last April, Mazda, Subaru, Toyota and its luxury arm Lexus have all announced price reductions.

Of the major Japanese players, that leaves just Suzuki, Mitsubishi and Nissan to divulge whether it too will pass on savings to customers.

Honda Odyssey pricing*

VTi (a)	$37,610 (-$1380)
VTi-L (a)	$46,040 (-$1580)

*Excludes on-road costs.