[BoneCollector]

I was reading this link forwarded by my brother and it says that Honda is planning to shift focus out of India and blames the plan of government to introduce electric vehicles.

Link is from Cartoq.
http://www.cartoq.com/honda-cars-to-...es-government/

If in reality Honda is planning this, I feel it's ridiculous. At a time when everyone is talking about electric vehicles and hybrids, Honda wants to look away? Also the GST on hybrids would have added to their woes.

Anyone has better or more concrete information?

Mods, kindly merge this thread if it already exists.

[n.devdath]

I don't think it will happen.

Honda has some very capable petrol engines and is working pretty hard on E-Mobility solutions as well and both these advantages should keep them in good stead in India, for the medium term future at least.

If you ask me, it is a reaction, not a stand.

[Hickstead]

Women are more inclined towards Honda !!
https://www.autocarindia.com/auto-fe...urveyed-406313

Source: ACI

[Ithaca]

Some interesting news via Economic Times dtd 25.10.2017.
Honda WR-V & City are giving it good sales giving Honda a 20% growth track.

However what was more interesting to me - as a potential Civic or HR-V customer is the following

The company is also learnt to be in the last leg of securing approval for introducing its premium SUV, the HR-V.
“We are more or less certain that we need to bring in the new Civic. We are still studying when is the right time. And similarly, we are also studying (bringing in) HR-V. So far, the feedback has been positive, we may bring that SUV in India”, said Ueno, who is also the company’s CEO.
Source: ET

Also for potential CR-V Diesel customers, the following.

To build on its growth momentum and premium brand imagery, Honda is likely to launch the new CR-V with a diesel engine (this was missing so far in its portfolio). Source: ET

Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com...w/61211344.cms

I am hoping BHPian @RavenAvi has a great scoop regarding the above info.

[volkman10]

Honda sticks on to HYBRIDS for India, clarity on EV policy in India is needed for a road map to be drawn.

Honda global chief Takahiro Hachigo says “We will launch 6 new models in next 3 years in India” Models will include hybrids but no EVs yet.

Link

[CarguyNish]

Very Good Move by Honda

Hybrids are a perfect blend between an ICE and an EV.
They are the need of the hour if Government of India wants to Electrify Passenger Cars by 2030.

Don't understand strategy of Govt to impose high tax on Hybrids. While EVs are charged at 12%, The basic price of EV itself is high to justify the transition from Petrol to EV.

If Honda launches Jazz EV, I expect it to cost over 15 lakhs (Ex-showroom) compared to 7 lakhs of the current Petrol Version. No one will pay 150k for it. So, Honda has to suffer losses respecting governments move.

India, even though one of the Top 4 Markets globally hasn't matured like US, Japan, UK, Germany etc. We hardly have any EVs till date. While there are few Hybrids, but they are way too expensive for Common Man.

Toyota has already pioneered this tech, Honda is following same steps.

Of the 6 Honda's, I expect Jazz/City/Vezel/Civic/CR-V to the the models. While the 6th one is a suspense. Maybe it is the New Accord.

Next gen Jazz & City are expected sometime in 2018, maybe those will come here in 2019. For 2018, I expect the Civic & CR-V to be the 2 launches. If Honda isn't bringing CR-V hybrid, I expect HR-V/Vezel Hybrid to take it's slot.

A Hybrid City for around 2-3 lakhs more compared to similarly specced Petrol would be Icing on the cake for many.

I will be keenly watching this space, having owned Petrol & Diesel cars, I am eying these Hybrids before shifting to EVs from 2030.

[CarguyNish]

Indian Auto journalists had a chance to experience Honda Jazz/Fit Hybrid & City/Grace Hybrid in Tokyo.





















Launch possibility only after 2020. Current versions ruled out. Next gen Jazz & City to be available with Petrol/Diesel/Hybrid options in 2020.

Pic Source - Twitter

[RavenAvi]

Honda Cars India Limited, the wholly owned subsidiary of the Japanese auto giant, is in the process of evaluating and developing an affordable and suitable electric vehicle strategy in line with the future changes in the Indian auto market, according to a fresh report by ET.

“We feel that diffusion of battery EVs requires significant infrastructure development and overcoming other challenges, such as cruising range with batteries, affordability and consumer acceptance. HCIL strives to plan battery EV models that will be best suitable for the traffic conditions in India in view of the usage including travelling distance,” Yoichiro Ueno Chief Executive Officer, HCIL told ET.
Given that the local market for electric vehicles is at a nascent stage, Honda is yet to determine schedules and models details for India. Ueno explained, “It depends on how fast the technology and infrastructure evolve in India and the rate of acceptance by consumers… It has the potential to be disruptive in the long run but we see hybrids to play a crucial role during this transition.”
Honda Motor CEO Takahiro Hachigo had announced at the Tokyo Motor Show that the company is planning to launch six models in India in the next three years, and the current favourite is the hybrid technology, as it is more acceptable to consumers for its similarity to the gasoline engine. Honda already has a hybrid powertrain solution on the Jazz and the mid-size sedan Grace in Japan, and these may be launched in India.

[volkman10]

Honda India sees future for diesels beyond 2020.

Japanese carmaker will upgrade its 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine for BS VI norm; foresees continued demand from Tier II and Tier III cities.

the upgrades to the diesel engine will be costly and could push the price of diesel cars, by a significant figure.

Honda is looking at ways to minimise the increase in cost, and is also considering the possibility of locally producing parts of the diesel particulate filter that the engine will require. Honda is already testing the BS VI-ready version of the diesel engine in India

Link

[CarguyNish]

Honda may launch an EV based on Honda Brio

According to a report from mint, the first Honda EV for India will be based on the Honda Brio’s platform.

The next-gen Honda Brio is already in the works. A possibility is that Honda is upgrading the Honda Brio’s platform to support an electric powertrain.

In Europe and Japan, the company will launch the Honda Urban EV Concept’s production version in 2019 and 2020 respectively. In India, though, it will probably launch a completely different, low-cost model to begin with.

Like Suzuki, Honda wants to set up a lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant in India. Discussions on the type of EV and constructing a battery plant were held at a recent Honda Cars India board meeting. A decision is imminent

Source

[Durango Dude]

The Jazz looks great if only it came with the 1.5L iVtec, CVT and magic seats I would have chosen it over the City. City as such is rather expensive and in the Hybrid Avatar it would nudge ₹ 20L OTR the fuel savings be damned that would be a hefty price to pay. The markets 'maturing' to accept tech. has a lot to do with Govt. tax regime: Indian Govt is run by confused bureaucrats who want to clean up air and also heavily tax hybrids. If the Govt encourages a product (by reducing taxes) it will be automatically accepted by the common man. Problem is if there's a push towards electricity where is power to charge these cars as there is a shortage of power supply.

[Hickstead]

Is Honda Planning to launch a compact SUV on BRIO platform in 2018 ? I don't expect so. Just sharing this as I have found this on you tube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e4knSzFQzI

[RavenAvi]

Honda Cars India has set itself a component exports target of Rs 1,500 crores to overseas markets. In addition, the company has also taken up the task of exporting 6,000 CBUs in FY2018, according to senior VP sales and marketing, Mr Jnaneshwar Sen.

It is targeting parts exports to the tune of Rs 1500 crore in the current financial year (2017-18) up 31.57 percent from Rs 1140 crore posted in FY17. Auto component exports form an important business arm of HCIL and in 2016-17, the carmaker exported parts to 15 countries. The company’s components business is growing briskly with shipments of parts headed to countries like the US and Brazil, to Europe (primarily the UK), China, Japan and some South East Asian markets. These parts include body panels and engine parts including transmission cases, cylinder blocks, engine blocks and crankshafts made at the Tapukara plant.
Between April-December 2017-18, the carmaker exported 4114 vehicles growing 4.87 percent over the previous fiscal. Of this, passenger cars contributed 2719 units and utility vehicles 1395 units. In 2016-17, during the same period, it clocked exports of 3923 units with cars accounting for 2902 units and UVs 1021 vehicles. In FY18, UV exports for Honda have risen 36.63 percent while cars are down by 6.30 percent, according to SIAM data.
Last July, Honda Cars India (HCIL) had commenced exports of the fully assembled 1.6L diesel engine to Thailand and Philippines for the first time, from India. Though the carmaker does not power its Indian product portfolio with this diesel motor so far, it has been making parts for the 1.6L diesel engine at its Tapukara facility since 2013. HCIL has been exporting critical engine parts of the 1.6L diesel to Honda UK for powering the Civic and CR-V since then.
“About 60 percent of the demand for the WR-V is for the diesel variant while for the new City sedan, 80 percent sales are for the petrol edition. This difference in demand has something to do with customer profile and preferences, “Sen elaborates. “Our electric vehicle strategy is under preparation and is work in progress.” At present, Honda has entered into an arrangement with Hitachi Automotive Systems in Japan for procuring electric motors for its hybrid and electric product line and whether the carmaker’s EV strategy will include setting up an assembly unit for the motors in India is still under consideration.

ET Auto

[RavenAvi]

Honda Cars India to develop a compact SUV based on the Amaze platform?

Yoichiro Ueno, MD of Honda Cars India:

"We prefer the SUV space to small cars. The SUV is a growing segment in India, it offers more potential than a small car in the current context. We are studying multiple SUV options on the new Amaze platform."

So, there might be a dedicated SUV option from Honda to go up against the Vitara Brezza, EcoSport and the Nexon, instead of a new-gen Brio.

ET Auto

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

....

So, there might be a dedicated SUV option from Honda to go up against the Vitara Brezza, EcoSport and the Nexon, instead of a new-gen Brio......

So what exactly is the WR-V then? It's a good car based on the spacious and practical Jazz platform.

Honda could add magic seats across the board and offer the 1.5 petrol motor and watch it sell well, and save themselves all that R&D money to spend elsewhere.