Honda "Civic Hybrid" coming. EDIT : Now launched @ 21.50 lakhs

[GeekSrik]

Here is the article for the same:

Honda Motor Co on Wednesday introduced the first hybrid vehicle in the country by launching its sedan Civic, equipped with a petrol engine and an electric battery. Honda said that the Civic Hybrid would cost Rs 21.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The import duty on a completely built unit (CBU) is 104 per cent. The company will import the CBU from Japan, where it produces the hybrid car for its global markets. However, it is also exploring alternatives through which it can import the engines and parts and bring the car as a semi-knocked down unit.
“Currently, we cannot import the engine and components and assemble it as a semi-knocked down unit. But it is a difficulty that we want to overcome as it is always better to bring a car as a semi-knocked down unit than a fully imported car. This is because the duty is less,” Mr Masahiro Takedagawa, President and CEO, Honda Siel Cars India, told Business Line at the sidelines of the launch.
The company said that it did not expect to sell high volumes, but wanted to make a statement of its technology and commitment to the environment. Honda has imported around 130 units and expects to sell around 300 during the year, said Mr Jnaneswar Sen, Vice President, Sales and Marketing.

No made in India

Mr Takedagawa ruled out the possibility of making the Civic Hybrid in the country as the company does not produce it even in the US, the largest market for cars. The Government levies an excise duty of 14 per cent on hybrid vehicles to encourage local production when compared to premium and luxury cars, which attract a 24 per cent excise duty .
The Civic Hybrid would be offered with a 1.3 litre petrol engine. From the time of the start-up and acceleration, both the engine and the motor function together. Only when the car is being driven at a high speed that the motor does not work and the vehicle is run on the engine. When the car is idling , the petrol engine automatically stops and the battery keeps the vehicle running, saving fuel. The car when being driven at 40-50 km per hour, operates only on the battery offering maximum fuel efficiency.
According to the company, the fuel efficiency of Civic Hybrid is in the range of 19-23 km a per litre when measured with the existing petrol based model, that offers approximately 15 km per litre.
Asked about the company’s plan to introduce hybrid engine hatchback in India , Mr Takedagawa said, “Globally, we are launching a hybrid hatchback next year. But in India, we are concentrating on the Civic Hybrid and will see the response before we launch other variant or models.”



Source: Hindu Business Line

[funkydevil]

It came in today's Times of India, Already about 100 'Prominent people and some company people' have booked the Civic Hybrid. It seems "This car is for the rich who feel the need to go green"........ @#$%$!@

[amtak]

Ha ha ha...Indian customer, tune Hybrid civic leni ki nahin leni? toh ek Reva le le yaar!

Absolute ripoff!

Honda - The power of dreams? Too much day dreaming is it?

[mjothi]

22Lacs!!! Yes. What else you can expect from Indian govt. Rather than imposing 104% duty on this CBU?
And 14% for the same hybrid if produced inside india. Are there any manufactures to do now? I dont think so.
Why does not Govt think of reducing this tax for ATLEAST hybrid cars that are imported.

[vinaykiran79]

Originally Posted by mjothi

22Lacs!!! Yes. What else you can expect from Indian govt. Rather than imposing 104% duty on this CBU?
And 14% for the same hybrid if produced inside india. Are there any manufactures to do now? I dont think so.
Why does not Govt think of reducing this tax for ATLEAST hybrid cars that are imported.

Indian govt. is encoraging the manufacturers to produce cars in India. This will give more employment to Indians and improve in the technology used in India. Hence the tax rates have such difference.
Though the cars price is too high at 21 lakhs we will need to see who buys it. Obviously the rich who dont not mind spending money would buy that. And to be rich you need to earn in the worng way. This atleast would pump in black money into the market which is good for the country's economy.

[dkhatau]

21 lacs plus is an insane figure to sell a green car in india, except the super rich no ordinary person will be able to buy it. anyways lets see how the car performs.

[coolbareilly]

Originally Posted by funkydevil

It came in today's Times of India, Already about 100 'Prominent people and some company people' have booked the Civic Hybrid. It seems "This car is for the rich who feel the need to go green"........ @#$%$!@

What I believe, rich guys are not environmentlist. They will purchase HYBRID to show off. And Honda is targeting those folks . Govt of India should promote non polluting or less polluting vehicles so that it can be purchased by mass class. AND mass can help in less pollution not 100 guys who want to show off.

[neoonwheels]

Honda could have brought the Civic hybrid in CKD mode instead of CBU.. That could have saved much penny for customers.. 22L just to show you are environment friendly is too much...

[BunnyPunia]

The Govt is to be blamed. And the Honda guys deserve a pat on the backs atleast for getting in the hybrid here.
Indian govt should understand that Honda is doing good to the environment. Honda cannot get the car as a CKD because it doesnt have the expertise to assemble a hybrid here in India. Even in USA, the car is sold as a CBU.
Hope, the govt cuts down import duty on hybrids by atleast a half.

Between, 40% fuel saving, for 100km per day over a period of 5 yrs translates into 3.3 lakh (taking petrol as Rs 65). Still worth it? 100 odd people think so, who have already booked the car

[Dippy]

21 lakhs ex showroom Delhi will mean the car in Mumbai will inch towards the 24-25 lakh mark. The Government should atleast consider giving relief to hybrid cars entering India whether CBUs or CKDs. I dont blame Honda entirely for this high price but the Government. To be honest, I really like this car and I would really love to own one but with this ridiculous pricing I dont see that happening. I hope they have a TD car atleast to let people like us get a taste of Hybrid technology.

[ST7677]

Won't happen, it's completely built unit that is imported and attracts 110% tax!
Plus cost of battery is huge. In most other countries Hybrids and subsidized or tax exempt...

[srishiva]

How would the Civic hybrid fare against a similar diesel variant in India ?

OT: U.S is asking China to remove subsidies on fuel to discourage people from using fossil fuels. I hope they do this to India too.

[normally_crazy]

23 lacs ? And Honda says the 104% duty is to blame and they have asked the govt. to waive off the import duty !

My question is - if the govt waives off the full import duty, will Honda offer the Hybrid at 10.5 lacs ex-showroom ? If that happens I will believe that Honda is really bothered about the environment.

[theodore_ftw]

Question that comes to my mind here is that why cant this be done as a CKD? That would anyways reduce the import duty in addition to giving employment benefits to the Indian economy. What can be that challenges that Honda is facing in getting this as a CKD? Its not like other manufacturers do not use this option.

[diabloo]

Now that Honda has shown the way, its now upto Toyota to launch Prius and catch up