AutoNetMagz.com has learned from HPM sources that the Honda Brio MPV is christened the Honda Mobilio. Honda has rarely used regional looks or names (the City is the Ballade in South Africa, and the Jazz is the Fit in the US) and this could be the name registered in all markets the car is destined for.
The Honda Mobilio will launch in Indonesia in three trim levels (S, E, E CVT) with a 1.5-liter petrol engine, at the Indonesian International Motor Show on September 19th. Though dealers are accepting bookings, production of the car begins not before early next year at the company's new Karawang plant in West Java.
The Mobilio was jointly developed by Honda's R&D Asia Pacific team in Thailand and PT Honda Prospect's R&D team in Indonesia. The low cost family van will compete with cars such as the Toyota Avanza, Daihatsu Xenia, Chevrolet Spin and the Maruti Ertiga.
Another interesting fact about the Mobilio is its name, which comes from the archives. The Mobilio was a large MPV sold in Japan between 2001 and 2008. It was then replaced by the Honda Freed. Like the Terrano, there is some legacy to the name.
It is reported that the Honda Freed will remain on the market even after the Mobilio's introduction.
