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

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

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

Through their official Instagram account @welovehonda_id, they clarify that the yellow color on the eSAF body is not rust but silica.

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

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

"This is 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 on the eSAF frame that does not leave any stains.

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

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

"The layer of silica that forms functions to coat the welding results from oxidation or rust," he explained.

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

"At least there should be some movement for consumers who have already purchased and some accountability, not just posting the solution, sir 🙏 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 in the factory before it was sent to consumers? 2. Then what about the motorcycles that have already broken? Some are less than a year old, right? Is there no recall or any action?" wrote the account @biondilouw90.

"What concerns the public is the issue of many broken motorcycles. Your clarification does not answer that," wrote the account @undercover.id.

Meanwhile, some netizens support the clarification.

"In my village, most Honda users are fine, there's never been any information about cracked motorcycles, maybe it's just a few individuals," wrote the account @krzqse.

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

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Facts about the Controversial Honda eSAF Frame on Social Media, Accused of Being Easily Corroded

Dream - The timeline on several social media platforms was filled with discussions about Honda scooters with the latest frame from Honda, the Smart Architecture Frame (eSAF).

This eSAF frame is accused of being easily corroded, porous, and broken, even though the usage period of the motorbike is relatively young, as it was released in early 2019 with the Honda Genio model.

The production of the eSAF frame is done in the AHM Factory in the MM2100 area of Cikarang, West Java. Honda claims that the eSAF technology makes the Genio motorcycle more agile, lightweight, and comfortable to use.

The eSAF frame is used in the Honda Genio, Beat, Scoopy, and Vario 160 models.

The eSAF frame in the Honda Genio uses a pressing process and laser welding. The structure is developed to improve control stability and utilize space for luggage and fuel.

GM Plant AHM Cikarang, Dodi Sutriadi, said that the production process of the new eSAF frame on the Honda Genio is specially designed to produce the best frame quality with a much lighter weight to provide maneuverability on the road.

"Honda is always committed from the design process, development, production, and even after-sales service," said Okta, as quoted from Merdeka.com on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.

Regarding the problematic vehicle body, they admitted that they have to observe each case individually. They believe that the issues that occur can be caused by usage factors.

Astra Honda Motor (AHM) stated that the eSAF or enhanced Smart Architecture Frame used in Genio, Beat, Scoopy, and Vario 160 has a one-year or 10,000 km warranty.

This warranty will protect consumers if they experience damage, such as the recent discussions about rust or breakage. If it is proven not to be the consumer's fault, the frame replacement can be done without any charge.

It is known that AHM, through its dealer network, sells the eSAF frame as a replacement component. This component is sold for around IDR 1 million and can be purchased at official Honda dealers in Indonesia.

The waiting period for purchasing this component depends on stock availability and it should be noted that it does not include installation costs and transferring the old frame number to the new one.