City Diesel, Vezel and Mobilio to be launched by Honda in 2014

Japanese carmaker Honda Motors is keen on continuing its success mantra of 2013 by launch of new models in 2014 even though it is still busy fulfilling orders for its diesel superhit vehicle Amaze. It has officially announced launch of three new vehicles in Feb 2014 at Auto Show which will consist of diesel version of its Honda City sedan along with compact SUV Vezel and all terrain multipurpose vehicle Mobilio. In view of growing demand in India for tough and versatile utility vehicles which can manage both city traffic and off road capabilities Honda is launching vehicles which are in low cost and luxury categories to meet varied market segments.

All these cars were showcased at recently held Tokyo Motor Show along with India bound Fit/Jazz hatchback which will cover almost all segments of Indian passenger car market. Honda wants to keep their dealers busy with introduction of model on a regular basis so they will also be enthusiastic about increasing their client base by showcasing varied products. Through this portfolio of vehicles Honda wants to depict itself as the sole manufacturer of passenger vehicles which understands Indian buyers’ tastes and preferences therefore makes niche products across all categories. The first to be launched among these will be diesel version of Honda city which will be available with dealers by January 2014 and will be priced around INR 8.7 – 11 lakhs and will be fitted with 1.5 liter iDTEC engine.

Honda’s compact SUV Vezel will be launched in direct competition with existing market leaders Ford Ecosport, Toyota Innova and Renault Duster. Overall design structure of the Vezel appears like a mini CR-V and has black underbody cladding all around made of hard plastic to protect it from off road endeavors. Built on Honda’s concept of “urban SUV”, the Vezel has been fitted with 1.5 liter direct injection fuel efficient petrol engine similar to Amaze and Honda City sedans.  This car is likely to be presented as a premium luxury car therefore will be launched towards the middle of 2014 and may be priced below 15 lakhs. Honda will have a busy time during 2014 – 2015 with launch of all these cars along with continuing to fulfill demands of existing models.

Therefore the carmaker will be providing sufficient gaps between launch of each model so that it can meet client demand and ensure that demand for one model does not cannibalize each other. The Mobilio will be released in toward end of 2014 and will be Honda’s first multi-purpose vehicle as till date only sedans, hatchbacks and compact SUV’s have been sold in India. This car will be manufactured at Honda’s plat in Tapukara and is based on Brio platform and will be sold at a competitive price. Honda will be presenting all these cars at the Auto Show of 2014 though they will be available for sale over a period of time throughout 2014. Honda will pit these cars against reigning market leaders in their specific segments so that it can quickly estimate strengths and weaknesses of the competitor models and bring out a better range of vehicles in following years.

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