After the Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) segment, Honda now looks forward to making its mark in the small car & compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) segments in India. . .
After the launch of the Honda Mobilio, the ace car manufacturer has some more surprises planned for its admirers.
The Mobilio was Honda’s first MPV in India, and according to sources the Japanese automaker now aims to take a plunge into the Indian mass-market segment of small cars & compact Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) with two brand-new models.
Honda is already a leader in the premium car segment in India and these new models would help the company sales figures to grow further.
President and CEO of Honda Motor India,Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, said, “It (introduction of the small car) is not very far, but we can’t give you an exact time.” Though, there was no mention of the SUV, but sources have confirmed that it would reach the Indian markets soon.
About Both the Cars: SUV and Hatchback
Honda would base both these cars on the GSP platform.
Three of its leading models –Amaze, Brio, and the recent Mobilio – are already using the said platform.
We expect Honda to price this hatchback below the price of its cheapest model – Brio. The price of the upcoming small car from Honda would range between 4 Lakhs to 4.20 Lakhs. According to sources, the price of the upcoming SUV from Honda would not cross 6 Lakhs.
The hatchback would compete with the likes of Maruti Alto, Chevrolet Beat, Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, Datsun Go, & Hyundai i10, whereas the SUV aims to give tough competition to Ford EcoSport, Mahindra & Mahindra’s upcoming micro SUV, and the forthcoming Maruti XA Alpha.
The company would perform the R&D of the upcoming Honda hatchback and SUV in India itself. This would help it to price the vehicles economically.
The undisclosed SUV would hit the Indian roads by 2017 and the unnamed hatchback would enter the Indian auto market before that.
The Expansion Plans:
The Honda Amaze and Honda City are among the most popular models from the house of the automobile giant. These cars have contributed to stabilizing Honda’s position in the Indian market, and now the company looks forward to expanding.
It plans to develop its dealer network and may make its presence felt in 43 more cities by March 2015, taking the count to 150. It is also contemplating to pump funds to increase its production capacity from 1.8 lakh units a year to 2.4 lakh units.
With two manufacturing units running to full capacity at Greater Noida and Rajasthan, it may also consider a third plant in Gujarat.
Without doubt, Honda is taking all the right steps to bag the number one spot in the Indian auto market – a country expected to become a leader in the Asia Oceania region soon.
We wish them luck and hope that they continue to get the best of cars for us always!
