Honda plans big launches for India in 2014

The Japanese luxury auto major Honda is really very pleased with its high flying success in India. While the Indian car market is struggling with the ongoing slowdown for several months, Honda Cars India has found new success with the launch of its first ever diesel model in the country, Amaze compact sedan. Encouraged by the market response even in such dark period, Honda had earlier announced of its plans to launch several new cars in India.

The process has really started as Honda made the global debut for the all new 2014 City in India. The 4^th generation City’s pre-booking registrations have already started in the country while, the vehicle will have its official Indian market launch in January, 2014. As the all new City will be available in both petrol and diesel, it will be Honda’s second diesel model offering in the Indian terrain.

Apart from the City’s unveiling, Honda is planning to launch a lot more new models in India. The Japanese car major has revealed that it is studying the Indian market to launch its upcoming compact SUV (sports utility vehicle) Vezel. The compact SUV was recently unveiled by Honda at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, which is said to be an answer to the Renault Duster compact SUV.

The senior vice president of marketing and sales at Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL) Mr. Jnaneswar Sen said that the company is still looking at the practicality of launching the Vezel in the car market of India.

Though the Indian auto market is down with low demands, the compact SUV segment is really on the rise. The compact SUV segment of India is currently ruled by the likes of Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster. These tow urban SUVs two models have managed to sell about 1.2 lakh units ever since their launch in India.

Though it is already speculated that the new compact SUV from Honda is on its way to the Indian terrain, Honda has currently hushed the rumors. The president and CEO at Honda Cars India, Hironori Kanayama said that the company has a number of vehicles in the product portfolio and it will choose the best suited ones to launch in the Indian car market. The company has not yet decided, whether it is Vezel or some other car.

However, disregarding the company announcements, the Indian industry experts and sources say that the Honda Vezel will be arriving to the Indian car market towards the end of 2014 or the beginning of 2015.

Honda already has a very impressive range of new cars for India scheduled for 2014. Starting with the market launch of the all new City sedan, Honda is expected to launch the Mobilio Multi Purpose vehicle (MPV) by June next year. The new Mobilio that is already available in Indonesia will be competing with the Maruti Ertiga and Toyota Innova post its market launch.

The Honda Jazz hatchback which is discontinued in India is also going to make a comeback with the bigger and better all new 2014 Jazz.