Rumour: Honda won't launch the HR-V in India

TusharK · 29th August 2019, 18:07

According to a media report, Honda has shelved its plan to launch the HR-V in India.

Rumour: Honda won't launch the HR-V in India-hrv_header_19.jpg

The report states that Honda had achieved around 30% localisation, but with 70% of imported parts, Honda would have been at a competitive disadvantage in terms of its pricing. Also, the slowdown in the Indian auto sector has forced Honda to revise its volume projection from 12,000 units to 8,000 units. This is said to have influenced the decision to scrap the plan to launch HR-V as well.

Honda had reportedly started trial production of the HR-V and built around 4-5 prototype vehicles. Mass production was scheduled to commence in December 2019. The car was showcased to dealers in Delhi in April 2019.

In India, the HR-V was expected to be offered with a 1.8-litre petrol engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It was also rumoured to get a 1.6-litre diesel engine option.

Source: Autocar India

Link to Team-BHP News

AYP · 29th August 2019, 18:15

To be very frank, I had my doubts on the 'supposed' launch of the HR-V right from the start.

It is great that the small number of fence sitters can now look forward to other alternatives.

pannags · 29th August 2019, 21:53

Thoroughly disappointing indeed!! Was banking on Honda springing a surprise for Diwali, but they never had the intent to go big with the HR-V since the very beginning.

With the VW twins likely to bring their cSUV offerings only in 2020/21, this is sure to bring smiles to the likes of Kia and Hyundai.

Ayukawa San, how about bringing on the S-Cross and Vitara with the 1.4 Boosterjet!? Anywhere south of 20L, you have a blockbuster in your hands.

Durango Dude · 29th August 2019, 22:09

Frankly the market conditions, Hector and Seltos must have done the HR-V in. Honda has lost the competitive edge in pricing. If the trend continues I'm afraid it may follow in the footsteps of GM and Ford. It should at least offer the WR-V with the 1.5 and CVT to spruce things up. It's seems to be just going with the flow not knowing what to do and that's not good for Honda!

mayjay · 29th August 2019, 22:34

Why Honda why?! It was a slam dunk waiting to happen ever since this model came out in 2013 or 14 whatever was the year. All they had to do was bring it to India and get all the City owners who were upgrading to naturally gravitate towards it, and Civic owners to stay within the fold. But no, they left them all to fend for themselves and Creta lapped them up.
This time again, they would have had another opportunity - now that Indian buyers are getting used to ever increasing prices for even basic models. But no, they find it too risky still. Wonder what they are waiting for? It’s an easy enough equation. No risk = no return. Only the ignominy of eventually being bested by Kia awaits. Oh Honda!

Ok, rant over.. back to work everyone!

Mad Max · 29th August 2019, 22:34

Please find below the list of people who cared about this launch.

1.

Thanks.

Shreyas_H · 29th August 2019, 22:54

https://www.autocarindia.com/car-new...ns-axed-413951

HR-V launched apparently axed for India.
Wouldn't say I'm surprised!

CrAzY dRiVeR · 29th August 2019, 23:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by TusharK

Mass production was scheduled to commence in December 2019.

The current generation went on sale back in November 2014. We are already at the extreme end of its product lifecycle!

Looks like Kia & MG together destroyed their plans of launching the car in India by the end of its lifecycle, and actually selling it for a big premium!

Reinhard · 29th August 2019, 23:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shreyas_H

https://www.autocarindia.com/car-new...ns-axed-413951

HR-V launched apparently axed for India.
Wouldn't say I'm surprised!

Yeah no surprise and a wise decision. They wouldn't have got much success with it. Too late to enter and fight.
It just doesn't look the part. The segment where it would land has Harrier, Hector, Seltos, Creta, Captur, Kicks, Duster, XUV500.

Barring perhaps the too old Duster, the HRV simply doesn't cut the cake as an SUV that we Indians like to see. No chance it could fight with Seltos/Creta.

nik_kapur · 29th August 2019, 23:56

Makes sense. Honda would have thought of pricing it at a premium but the Seltos has just ruined everything. Honda cannot compete on price and not on features !

Besides this is already a 5 year old car. Why on earth would they want to bring it to India now ?

I feel it would have failed and hence this is the best decision they have made

vinair · 30th August 2019, 10:44

Call it a bone headed decision from Honda! You guys have been in this country for such a looooong time and still can't get the localization part sorted out!! Shows how important a market is India for Honda!

In way yes, good to be pull out than get battered! With the 'astronomical pricing' strategy Honda generally employs, I am sure this baby couldn't have survived our brutal market!

Again, what is it that Honda imports from Japan that cannot be sourced locally?? I still don't get it

srishiva · 30th August 2019, 10:53

Cant fault Honda with the decision. Having seen this vehicle, its not good looking and it wouldn't have looked good against its competitors here.

Above that Honda would have provided bare bone features yet priced it above others which would not have worked. The engines would be another drawback for the pricing. Its better not to introduce something which would be sure failure.

Carz77 · 30th August 2019, 11:16

Very disappointed with Honda on not bringing in HRV. I was looking forward for this model to upgrade my Jazz. Honda is too cautious in Indian market where it has sold cars for more than 2 decades.

I did see Kia Seltos which IMHO is more of features and bling. Not sure of driving pleasure as I haven't gone for test drive. I hope Honda considers launching HRV atleast next year

Chetan_Rao · 30th August 2019, 11:59

Once upon a time, I'd have said they probably don't want to localise over quality concerns.

That myth is busted both ways: Indian component manufacturing quality has improved significantly, and Honda gave up on their trademark quality at least a couple generations ago on their Indian models, so it's a moot point anyway.

PrideRed · 30th August 2019, 12:15

Was there anyone who was waiting for this? Honda is losing steam in Indian market, barring City/Amaze none of their products are doing good. I was hoping the Civic to do well, that too seem to be biting dust. Barring the 1.5L iVtec, all other engines are below par.

29th August 2019, 18:07	#1
TusharK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Pune Posts: 6,262 Thanked: 55,776 Times	Rumour: Honda won't launch the HR-V in India According to a media report, Honda has shelved its plan to launch the HR-V in India. The report states that Honda had achieved around 30% localisation, but with 70% of imported parts, Honda would have been at a competitive disadvantage in terms of its pricing. Also, the slowdown in the Indian auto sector has forced Honda to revise its volume projection from 12,000 units to 8,000 units. This is said to have influenced the decision to scrap the plan to launch HR-V as well. Honda had reportedly started trial production of the HR-V and built around 4-5 prototype vehicles. Mass production was scheduled to commence in December 2019. The car was showcased to dealers in Delhi in April 2019. In India, the HR-V was expected to be offered with a 1.8-litre petrol engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It was also rumoured to get a 1.6-litre diesel engine option. Source: Autocar India Link to Team-BHP News
	(19) Thanks

29th August 2019, 18:15	#2
AYP Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,223 Thanked: 3,802 Times	Re: Rumour: Honda won't launch the HR-V in India To be very frank, I had my doubts on the 'supposed' launch of the HR-V right from the start. It is great that the small number of fence sitters can now look forward to other alternatives.
	(4) Thanks

29th August 2019, 21:53	#3
pannags BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 761 Thanked: 2,057 Times	Re: Rumour: Honda won't launch the HR-V in India Thoroughly disappointing indeed!! Was banking on Honda springing a surprise for Diwali, but they never had the intent to go big with the HR-V since the very beginning. With the VW twins likely to bring their cSUV offerings only in 2020/21, this is sure to bring smiles to the likes of Kia and Hyundai. Ayukawa San, how about bringing on the S-Cross and Vitara with the 1.4 Boosterjet!? Anywhere south of 20L, you have a blockbuster in your hands.
	() Thanks

29th August 2019, 22:09	#4
Durango Dude Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,948 Thanked: 5,120 Times View My Garage	Re: Rumour: Honda won't launch the HR-V in India Frankly the market conditions, Hector and Seltos must have done the HR-V in. Honda has lost the competitive edge in pricing. If the trend continues I'm afraid it may follow in the footsteps of GM and Ford. It should at least offer the WR-V with the 1.5 and CVT to spruce things up. It's seems to be just going with the flow not knowing what to do and that's not good for Honda!
	(7) Thanks

29th August 2019, 22:34	#5
mayjay BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Delhi Posts: 275 Thanked: 377 Times	Re: Rumour: Honda won't launch the HR-V in India Why Honda why?! It was a slam dunk waiting to happen ever since this model came out in 2013 or 14 whatever was the year. All they had to do was bring it to India and get all the City owners who were upgrading to naturally gravitate towards it, and Civic owners to stay within the fold. But no, they left them all to fend for themselves and Creta lapped them up. This time again, they would have had another opportunity - now that Indian buyers are getting used to ever increasing prices for even basic models. But no, they find it too risky still. Wonder what they are waiting for? It’s an easy enough equation. No risk = no return. Only the ignominy of eventually being bested by Kia awaits. Oh Honda! Ok, rant over.. back to work everyone! Last edited by mayjay : 29th August 2019 at 22:35.
	(3) Thanks

29th August 2019, 22:34	#6
Mad Max BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 941 Thanked: 1,448 Times	Re: Rumour: Honda won't launch the HR-V in India Please find below the list of people who cared about this launch. 1. Thanks.
	(24) Thanks

29th August 2019, 22:54	#7
Shreyas_H BHPian Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Mumbai Posts: 358 Thanked: 1,774 Times	Re: Honda India : The Way Forward https://www.autocarindia.com/car-new...ns-axed-413951 HR-V launched apparently axed for India. Wouldn't say I'm surprised!
	(1) Thanks

29th August 2019, 23:56	#10
nik_kapur Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,101 Thanked: 864 Times	Re: Rumour: Honda won't launch the HR-V in India Makes sense. Honda would have thought of pricing it at a premium but the Seltos has just ruined everything. Honda cannot compete on price and not on features ! Besides this is already a 5 year old car. Why on earth would they want to bring it to India now ? I feel it would have failed and hence this is the best decision they have made Last edited by suhaas307 : 30th August 2019 at 13:09. Reason: Minor spacing
	(1) Thanks

30th August 2019, 10:44	#11
vinair BHPian Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bangalore Posts: 700 Thanked: 1,941 Times	Re: Rumour: Honda won't launch the HR-V in India Call it a bone headed decision from Honda! You guys have been in this country for such a looooong time and still can't get the localization part sorted out!! Shows how important a market is India for Honda! In way yes, good to be pull out than get battered! With the 'astronomical pricing' strategy Honda generally employs, I am sure this baby couldn't have survived our brutal market! Again, what is it that Honda imports from Japan that cannot be sourced locally?? I still don't get it Last edited by vinair : 30th August 2019 at 10:45.
	(4) Thanks

30th August 2019, 10:53	#12
srishiva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 4,375 Thanked: 2,256 Times	Re: Rumour: Honda won't launch the HR-V in India Cant fault Honda with the decision. Having seen this vehicle, its not good looking and it wouldn't have looked good against its competitors here. Above that Honda would have provided bare bone features yet priced it above others which would not have worked. The engines would be another drawback for the pricing. Its better not to introduce something which would be sure failure.
	(2) Thanks

30th August 2019, 11:16	#13
Carz77 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Bangalore Posts: 82 Thanked: 139 Times	Re: Rumour: Honda won't launch the HR-V in India Very disappointed with Honda on not bringing in HRV. I was looking forward for this model to upgrade my Jazz. Honda is too cautious in Indian market where it has sold cars for more than 2 decades. I did see Kia Seltos which IMHO is more of features and bling. Not sure of driving pleasure as I haven't gone for test drive. I hope Honda considers launching HRV atleast next year Last edited by suhaas307 : 30th August 2019 at 13:09. Reason: Spacing
	() Thanks

30th August 2019, 11:59	#14
Chetan_Rao Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,895 Thanked: 24,065 Times	Re: Rumour: Honda won't launch the HR-V in India Once upon a time, I'd have said they probably don't want to localise over quality concerns. That myth is busted both ways: Indian component manufacturing quality has improved significantly, and Honda gave up on their trademark quality at least a couple generations ago on their Indian models, so it's a moot point anyway.
	(5) Thanks

30th August 2019, 12:15	#15
PrideRed Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2012 Location: BLR/PTR Posts: 3,282 Thanked: 9,680 Times	Re: Rumour: Honda won't launch the HR-V in India Was there anyone who was waiting for this? Honda is losing steam in Indian market, barring City/Amaze none of their products are doing good. I was hoping the Civic to do well, that too seem to be biting dust. Barring the 1.5L iVtec, all other engines are below par.
	(4) Thanks