[saleem_k]

My pet peeve with Honda Cars India is how their management & leadership has failed to introduce a proper mid-size SUV (like a Creta) or at least an Ecosport or Brezza rival, in spite of being an old player in the Indian automotive industry. Their Jazz based 'mini-suv', the WR-V, is a huge disappointment and is nowhere near other targeted segment competition, in terms of performance or looks.

It was 10 years ago that the Ecosport was introduced and now in 2023 Honda India is finally looking to bring its first proper mini-suv. A 10-year delay in such a competitive market where mid-size SUVs have grown from strength to strength means millions or probably billions of revenue loss for Honda. Such a sad state of affairs in Honda Cars India.

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by sarathlal

Honda will revise the CBU route for flagship models.
Their intent is to move away from mass market, and position as a premium brand. The portfolio will soon have the City as its starting model.

Not sure of the City being the starting model, when the Amaze is still selling well and is rumoured to get a generational change next year. But doing so would be like going back to Honda India's glory days of the 2000s IF they manage to bring some CBUs and CKDs to maintain that premium image.

Though am really not sure which all models Honda has that they could possibly import and sell it with the import taxes+ custom duty + Honda premium pricing and still find buyers. Other than the legacy Civic/Accord/Cr-V, who will all have formidable competition, the only one that can make an impact would be a hybrid Odyssey

[Reinhard]

Originally Posted by sarathlal

Their intent is to move away from mass market, and position as a premium brand. The portfolio will soon have the City as its starting model.
Recent developments shows that Honda is indeed going forward with the above plan.

I don't see a single reason why our market will accept Honda's cars, with additional taxes attracted for CBU/CKD cars - as "Premium". The ship sailed long ago and Honda has missed it. No chance IMO that it will be accepted as a premium brand. The way the Civic performed (or didn't rather) in its latest generation - is a clear indication of that. And - it wasn't a bad car! Its pretty clear now, that in our market "Premium" = Western (especially European), not Eastern. Toyota is in a different league of course, not counting it here.

Originally Posted by DicKy

Not sure of the City being the starting model, when the Amaze is still selling well and is rumoured to get a generational change next year. But doing so would be like going back to Honda India's glory days of the 2000s IF they manage to bring some CBUs and CKDs to maintain that premium image.

+1 Indeed!

[sunilrs]

A very interesting story from 2017 on Reuters about Honda's woes and its future plans.

The story is very well researched and worth a read. I have linked it here. I think a lot of it is still relevant today.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-h...-idUSKCN1BI18J

But for those who don't have the patience to go through the full story: The gist is as follows:

1) Honda focused on valuation (shareholders) rather than creating value
2) Took power away from engineers focused on innovation and gave it to CEOs and CFOs focused on cost cutting and margins leading to Honda losing its innovation DNA
3) Too much focus on being a me-too Toyota
4) Precipitous drop in quality
5) Lack of diversity, understanding of global trends and too much control invested in headquarters, which ignores global inputs
6) Ignoring innovations like EV for a long time, despite being one of the first to enter the EV category

While Honda was supposed to correct this and had put together a team, does not seem like it has been fully effective till date. Globally Honda is struggling in US and also facing a tough time in Europe.

When it comes to india, Elevate seems to be a corrective step but is it enough for Honda to regain its sheen? Even in 2 wheelers, Honda's gap with the leader (Hero Motocorp) seems to be increasing rather than decreasing.

As a long time Honda customer, it is sad to see this once legendary brand struggle. Hopefully this decade reverses the trend, but I am not very optimistic given what's happened so far.

[Venkatesh]

Honda Cars India registers 4,864 units of domestic sales in July 2023.

The export numbers for HCIL stood at 1,112 units in July’23.

The company had registered 6,784 in domestic sales and exported 2,104 units in July’22.

Source

[DivyanshuDiv]

For Honda, until they work aggressively on the right products for the indian market, there path is almost on the verge of getting collapsed. Just look at Elevate, could have been a solid product, but it holds no excitement in the market, and it might be another Magnite/Kushaq in making. Not sure what's wrong with their leadership and management.

[reppy]

Originally Posted by DivyanshuDiv

Just look at Elevate, could have been a solid product

From the reviews it does look like a solid product! The only issue is the lack of features and a good technology laden engine that used to be Honda's USP.

Lack of features can be addressed with a new variant - the main features I don't see in the Elevate are a 360 cam and ventilated seats. Panoramic sunroof isn't really a dealbreaker but hopefully can be addressed later.


The lack of a solid engine with turbo or hybrid features though is inexcusable. If Honda is moving straight to EV, and that too in 3 years, it is a very poor strategic decision - hybrids are here to stay and Honda will do very well with a mid-variant hybrid Elevate.

Honda seems to be having a foot in the door kind of strategy - neither here nor there.

[wheelguy]

So, it has been more than 12 years since the start of this thread and Honda is still hanging around in India. With the Elevate, and the rumored sub-4 meter SUV, Honda has more life left in India.

[desdemona]

Originally Posted by wheelguy

So, it has been more than 12 years since the start of this thread and Honda is still hanging around in India. With the Elevate, and the rumored sub-4 meter SUV, Honda has more life left in India.

Honda also makes and sells cars in India. As a firm, they have an epic (scale & margins) business in bikes and scooters, after all!

[itwasntme]

New 2023 CRV review from the UK. Looks like Honda is sticking to the somewhat unconventional City e-HEV format. Just doesn’t sound promising in these larger more luxurious vehicles!

Glad they aren't peddling this in India; would have been a catastrophic failure for which they would have blamed the Indian consumer mindset / petrol & diesel quality / electricity quality yada yada.

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/honda/cr-v

[shibulijack]

Honda Cars India domestic sales grow 13% to 9,861 units in September 2023.

Looks like the Elevate has elevated the sales of Honda and hopefully, they carry on with this momentum and introduce new models (Civic & HRV please?)

Source: https://auto.economictimes.indiatime...2023/104089752

[volkman10]

Honda Elevate is the savior for Honda as it starts registering positive growth.

Honda Cars India is back in the business of growing numbers and that’s thanks to the recent launch of the Elevate SUV, a segment where the company has been missing out bigtime.

September sales of 9,861 units are its best yet in the ongoing fiscal and a 13% improvement over the year-ago sales (September 2023: 8,714 units) and importantly 25% better than a month ago (August 2023: 7,880). One can pin down the steep MoM increase to the company dispatching a large number of the Honda Elevate SUV to dealers.

The new SUV has emerged as a frontrunner and is contributing significantly to the sales momentum during this festive season.

Link

[pqr]

Originally Posted by volkman10

The new SUV has emerged as a frontrunner and is contributing significantly to the sales momentum during this festive season.

Below is the wholesale breakdown:

• Elevate - 5,685 (58%)
• Amaze - 2,577 (26%)
• City - 1,599 (16%)

[m8002?]

I feel it's too early to call out Elevate as a success. I am guessing it will settle around 2000 units per month after the initial excitement dies down.
Also the new Creta launch will pull more numbers from Elevate.

[CarguyNish]

Originally Posted by m8002?

I feel it's too early to call out Elevate as a success. I am guessing it will settle around 2000 units per month after the initial excitement dies down.
Also the new Creta launch will pull more numbers from Elevate.

How much it sells is companies headache. But after experiencing all the compact SUVs out there and having one(VW Taigun) already in garage, I will say with eyes closed that the Honda Elevate is the best SUV with NA engine. Creta is more expensive and doesn't offer same feel as Elevate. And before you ask me, Creta Turbo hardly sold and it was a dud. Infact, I'll pick the Elevate over the Hyryder/Grand Vitara Non Hybrid because it's much cheaper than those two.

Many people who have driven Creta and Elevate have bought the latter and are very happy with decision. Many have been impressed by packaging of Elevate. It's a safe and VFM choice.