Why is the Civic Type R not domestically produced?
4 Answers
Civic Type R cannot be introduced because Honda Motor has adopted a wait-and-see attitude towards China's still unclear new energy credit policy, and dares not rashly introduce these high-performance vehicles that are not environmentally friendly. Here is the relevant introduction: 1. Introduction: The Civic Type R is a high-performance vehicle launched by Honda Motor. This car adopts a sedan body design, but the engine and configuration used in this car are quite astonishing. 2. In terms of power: This car is equipped with a high-performance version of the 2.0T turbocharged engine. The maximum power of this engine is 320 horsepower, and the maximum torque is 400 Nm. In terms of the transmission system, the engine is matched with a 6-speed manual transmission.
I've seen many people online discussing why the Civic Type R isn't produced in China, and it seems mainly because the market is too niche. The Type R is Honda's high-performance version, with strong power and a high price tag, but Chinese consumers generally prefer affordable family cars or SUVs, and young people aren't particularly obsessed with pure sports cars either. Local production would require significant investment in setting up production lines and would only be cost-effective with large-scale sales, but the estimated sales volume likely wouldn't justify the risk. Honda probably finds importing them more convenient, and it can also leverage the appeal of imported cars to attract enthusiasts and elevate the brand's prestige. In fact, the imported versions aren't low-profit either, as limited quantities sold at premium prices make them even more sought after. If the sports car market heats up in the future—say, if performance versions of electric vehicles become popular—domestic production might happen, but there's no sign of that for now.
I think it's quite reasonable from an economic perspective that the Civic Type R isn't domestically produced. Localization requires significant investment in specialized equipment, such as production lines for high-performance engines, but there are few Chinese buyers for the Type R as everyone is rushing for electric or fuel-efficient vehicles. Honda's main products in China are the regular Civic and SUVs, while the Type R as an imported product can actually command a premium price. Domestic production of niche models like this would likely result in losses. Localizing performance parts is also troublesome, as some components might still need to be imported, driving up costs and squeezing profit margins. When making decisions, management naturally prioritizes localizing popular models, leaving such high-performance versions as imports to ensure safety. As an ordinary car user, I prefer more affordable options and don't dwell too much on whether it's domestically produced or not - as long as the car drives well.
Someone asked me why the Civic Type R hasn't been domestically produced in China. I believe emission policies are the key factor. China's environmental regulations are strict, and as a high-performance vehicle, the Type R has significant emissions. Domestic production would require tuning or upgrading components to meet standards, increasing difficulty and costs. Imported versions, on the other hand, can leverage specific tariff advantages, making them affordable and compliant. Additionally, the pressure from the new energy trend is substantial, with Honda prioritizing resources for the localization of electric vehicle technology. Traditional performance cars like the Type R naturally take a backseat. If policies relax or green vehicles gain more traction in the future, the possibility of domestic production for high-performance cars might increase, but for now, it's not realistic.
