Honda PH won't sell this facelifted 2022 Odyssey

Last week, AutoIndustriya.com reported that Honda Cars Philippines Inc (HCPI) has quietly removed the Odyssey from its lineup. This led us to think that the automaker may be either preparing for the launch of the facelifted version, or the minivan has been dropped entirely.

Yesterday, we saw the refreshed Odyssey being used by Honda during a drive event. Does this mean HCPI actually plans to reveal it to the market soon? Curious, we asked Honda Cars PH about the updated minivan already being here in the country.

Speaking with HCPI president Masahiro Nakamura, he said that the facelifted Odyssey they currently have is the only one in the Philippines. Unfortunately, they will not be launching it in the country. When asked whether this is connected to the closing of the Sayama plant in Japan, Nakamura said yes.

Nakamura added that they originally planned to launch the facelifted Odyssey. But with Honda's plan to shift to sell only zero-emissions vehicles by 2040, the closing of the Sayama factory ultimately led to the Odyssey's untimely demise.

With the Odyssey no longer available, the minivan segment in the country isn't growing. Currently, the only minivans on sale in the Philippines from established volume brands include the recently-launched Kia Carnival and the Toyota Alphard. Minivans from the PRC are coming in such as the GAC GN8.  

For those who still plan to get a Honda Odyssey, the only way to get one is to order the USDM version which is still on sale across the Pacific. However, expect to pay a bigger premium since only gray market dealers offer the USDM minivan.