Honda contests no spare wheel charge

HONDA Port Elizabeth dealer principal Wikus Loots wrote in to say the Honda Jazz is NOT sold without a spare wheel, as was alleged in Fair and Square last week.

“The article under the heading ‘Ask for a spare wheel to go with that new car’ on Friday, November 30, has reference.

“In the article, a Mr Bryn John is quoted stating that the Honda Jazz amongst other makes is produced and sold without a spare wheel, but with a repair kit.

“With reference to the Honda Jazz sold in South Africa, this statement is not correct. The Honda Jazz in South Africa is sold with a space saver wheel – not a repair kit.

“The benefits with reference to space saving and weight reduction and resulting increases in efficiency in a small car generally purchased for town driving outweigh – in the opinion of Honda – the advantages of having a full spare wheel. Since this article has been published, we’ve had a number of our customers phoning in stating that they won’t consider the Jazz again if this was reality.’’

Well, The Herald motoring editor Bobby Cheetham concedes the Jazz is sold with a wheel, but he is not sure if he would call it a “spare” wheel because it is a temporary fix with certain restrictions, such as the speed it can travel.

The maximum speed recommended for driving with the space saver wheel is 80km/h.

Loots confirms there is no minimum mileage for the Jazz to be driven with the space saver wheel, however, “the principal applies that the damaged tyre should be replaced as soon as possible.’’

He said all customers are given the information that the wheel is a “space saver” rather than a “spare”, during the sales process, as well as during the vehicle handover.