Honda PH wants a bigger second batch of 2023 Civic Type R FL5

2023 Honda Civic Type R: 80 units targeted for second batch

If you’re a big Honda fan (of which there are many) then you’ve been reading (or even dreaming) about the new generation Civic Type R.

Last night at the Karrera Showroom in Alabang, Honda Cars Philippines (HCPI) launched the 2023 Civic Type R (FL5) for the market.

The new model is based on the liftback form factor of the new generation Civic, which is why when you see it side by side with the Civic RS or other current Civic variants here, the back looks very different. What’s different are the many functional exterior bits (e.g. wing) and cosmetic enhancements, as well as the outright performance: instead of a 1.5L VTEC Turbo, this one has the far more powerful 2.0L VTEC Turbo and a 6-speed manual driving the front wheels.

When HCPI revealed the Civic Type R, they also announced the pricing: PHP 3,880,000. That is PHP 900,000 more compared to when they initially launched the Civic Type R (FK8) in 2017. It has only been 6 years, but the inflation is painful to look at.

Of course, we don’t think that’ll put a big dent in the order books for the Civic Type R FL5. As it stands, Honda already has over 100 orders for the vehicle even prior to the launch of the Civic Type R. And there are only 40 units in the initial batch; 39 will be sold to customers the remaining unit is the one that will be retained by Honda as a demo car.

We spoke to Honda Cars Philippines president Masahiko Nakamura last night during the launch, and he said they were already in talks for a second batch of units from Japan. Unlike the FK8 which was made in the now defunct Swindon, UK factory, the FL5 is made in Saitama, Japan.

He did make it clear that the parts shortage is making it difficult; just earlier today it was made known that Honda has temporarily closed the order books for the Civic Type R in Japan due to high demand.

Still, HCPI is targeting (well, hoping) that the next batch will be more. What Nakamura said is that around double the initial batch is possible. That means about 80 units if they can be granted that allocation. Even at the PHP 3.88 million price tag, we’re quite certain HCPI won’t have a problem moving that inventory.

Yes, allocation is really the key here. Being that the Civic Type R is a very coveted halo model of Honda worldwide, many national sales companies and importers/distributors are jockeying for a position to get more allocation from Japan. We just have to hope that HCPI is good at playing the allocation game.