Amid Accusations of Easily Corroded eSAF Frame, Honda Claims Sales Remain High

Dream - General Manager Corporate PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM), Ahmad Muhibbuddin, claims that the issue of the enhanced Smart Architecture Frame (eSAF) frame on his motorcycles, which is accused of being easily corroded, rusty, and broken, does not affect sales performance.

This is indicated by the still high number of consumer orders for various types of Honda motorcycles produced by AHM.

"So far, it hasn't affected sales," he said, as quoted by Merdeka.com on Wednesday, August 24, 2023.

"The demand is still okay, still high," he added.

The issue of the eSAF frame, according to Ahmad, is a challenge for AHM to be more responsive in responding to consumer complaints.

AHM itself continues to clarify and educate about the issues that arise through various social media channels it owns.

"We try to provide an explanation that Honda motorcycles have undergone tests that can provide consumer safety and comfort. We immediately proactively handle these problems when there are complaints," he said.

The accusation of the eSAF frame being easily corroded went viral after many Honda eSAF users complained about this issue on social media.

As information, the list of Honda motorcycles that use the eSAF frame includes Honda Genio (2019), Honda Beat (2020), Honda Beat Street 2020, Honda Scoopy (2020), Honda Vario 160 (2022).

Quoting AHM's internal data, the total sales of Honda motorcycles in Semester I-2023 reached 2,550,452 units. The majority of sales are contributed by the automatic scooter (skutik) segment.

Honda Motor Clarifies Allegations of Easily Corroded eSAF Frame, Receives Criticism from Netizens

Dream - PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM) speaks up about Honda scooters with the Smart Architecture Frame (eSAF) frame, which is accused of being easily rusty, corroded, and broken.

These allegations went viral after many Honda eSAF users complained about the easy corrosion of the eSAF frame on social media. Even though this motorcycle is still relatively new, released in early 2019.

Through its official Instagram account @welovehonda_id, AHM clarified that the yellow color found on the eSAF body is not rust but silica.

"Hello Brosis, MinHo apologizes for making Brosis wonder where the clarification is, not replying to comments, not posting even though he is the most wanted person," AHM wrote in its clarification, quoted on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.

In the video uploaded on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, AHM shows the appearance of the yellow-colored eSAF frame.

"This is called silica, not rust," said the man in the video.

Then the masked man explained that if silica is wiped with a tissue, it will not leave stains like dust, just like the silica found on the eSAF frame that does not leave such stains.

Therefore, to determine whether a motorcycle is rusty or not, users do not need to open the body.

The man further explained that silica is different from rust because if rust is wiped with a tissue, it will leave rust stains.

"The layer of silica formed functions to coat the welding results from oxidation or rust," he said.

This post was filled with pros and cons from netizens, with many stating that the clarification did not address the allegations.

"At least there should be some movement for consumers who have already made a purchase and some accountability, don't just post the solution, there are already many problems, not just one consumer. Please enlighten us, Mr. @jokowi," wrote the account @rofiqrodi18.

"@welovehonda_id, seriously, is this Honda's answer? 1. Why wasn't the silica cleaned at the factory before being sent to consumers? 2. What about motorcycles that have already broken? Some are less than a year old, right? No recall or any action?" wrote the account @biondilouw90.

"The public's complaint is about the many broken motorcycles. Your clarification doesn't address that," wrote the account @undercover.id.

Meanwhile, there are netizens who are in favor of the clarification.

"In my neighborhood, most Honda users are fine, no information about motorcycles breaking, maybe it's just a few individuals," wrote the account @krzqse.

"So, it's safe, right, MinHo? The yellow color is not rust," wrote the account @niniksusadi.