Honda Is The First Japanese Automaker To Sell New Cars Online

Honda is the first automaker in Japan to provide local customers with an online sales service. The program, named Honda ON, is now only available to Tokyo residents on a subscription basis before being rolled out statewide. Clients can complete the entire procedure, from consultations to contracts, online.

Customers can opt for a three- or five-year contract for the N-Box, Fit, Freed, or Vezel through the service (HR-V). They will pay a monthly price that includes the vehicle and maintenance costs, as well as the option to purchase a car when the subscription term has expired.

Clients can choose whatever local Honda dealership they wish their car delivered to and where their car's regular maintenance will be conducted when they use the service.

The N-Box starts at 31,060 yen ($279) per month for the membership. The Fit starts at 42,550 yen ($382), the Freed at 48,850 yen ($439), and the Vezel at 48,460 yen ($435), all of which include tax. If customers want to preview a new automobile before opting for a subscription, they can book a test drive through the Honda ON program.

Some manufacturers have tried and failed to establish subscription models in various areas throughout the world. The Swedish manufacturer's 'Care by Volvo' service, for instance, has been operational since 2017 and continues to grow into new regions. Mercedes-Benz, on the other hand, canceled its membership service in the United States in mid-2020 after just a few hundred customers joined up.