2023 Honda Civic Type R wait times cut by ‘up to nine months’

For those waiting on a 2023 Honda Civic Type R, the news that Honda’s Australian arm has managed to secure an extra 500 cars for will be very welcome indeed.

Every customer’s situation will differ, but Honda Australia says this will reduce wait times by up to nine months. For example, if you’re at the back of the line now, Honda says you’ll likely get your car by February 2024.

“I am pleased that we have been able to allocate additional stock of the all-new Civic Type R for the Australian market, and that our loyal customers will benefit from the arrival of their vehicle within a reasonable timeframe” said Carolyn McMahon, director Honda Australia.

Catch up on the Civic Type R

5

March 31: Two-year wait for Type R

The 2023 Honda Civic Type R is facing a wait time stretching into early 2025.

Honda flagged long wait times for its new Type R earlier this year (see the full story below), but a growing order bank and slow supply now mean that if you were to place an order today, it's likely you wouldn't receive your car until early 2025.

"We've taken over 1000 orders to date so we are managing that pipeline," said Matthew Evans, general manager of Honda Australia's automotive division. "We are working very closely with our plants and we're optimistic about being able to fill customer orders when we can."

In an effort to prioritise customer orders, Honda is reducing its press fleet and even limiting cars for high-ranking staff members at the company's Melbourne HQ.

The brand is also prioritising communication with its customer base as it looks to manage the growing wait times.

"We believe the best approach is communication, so keeping customers updated," said Honda Australia's new managing director, Carolyn McMahon. "And that’s both at time of sale, so being up front about what the realistic wait time is, and then of course keeping the customer updated as the journey goes on."

Other Honda models facing growing wait times include the Civic e:HEV hybrid, which McMahon says is now a "mid-2024" prospect for new orders.

There is some good news on the supply front for Honda, however. Wait times for the HR-V e:HEV have improved to around six months, while petrol versions of the HR-V sit are shorter again at "mid-2023".

5

The story to here...

January 2023: Honda Australia has flagged wait times for the highly anticipated Type R, which will cost $72,600 drive-away, could blow out to around two years.

It follows "high demand" for the model, in conjunction with supply chain issues and the global semiconductor chip shortage.

Honda's local arm hasn't confirmed how many Type R's have been ordered thus far, but it said "more than 4000 enthusiasts and prospective customers" had expressed their interest last year.

“There has also been a significant spike in the volume of enquiry we’ve received, with our network of Honda Centres telling us that customers are contacting them regularly, eager to put their names down to secure a new Civic Type R," said newly-appointed Honda Australia director, Carolyn McMahon in November.

Honda Australia has also confirmed a nine-month wait time for the Civic and HR-V e:HEV hybrids, while all petrol models – including the CR-V – have shorter delivery times.

An all-new CR-V is expected to launch in Australia in the second half of 2023, and it will be joined by the ZR-V small SUV around the same time.

5

To differentiate between the two models, the next-generation CR-V has grown in size – and both are expected to offer a hybrid option.

As with other brands, Honda Australia said it is "continuously seeking to shorten these wait times and are regularly monitoring the situation."

VFACTS new-car sales data reveals Honda registered 14,215 vehicles in 2022, a 19.1 per cent drop over 2021, following its condensed model range and shift to a non-negotiable sales model in July 2021.