Honda’s refurbished/upgraded city:

Honda on August 11th launched refurbished versions of its sedan ‘City’. The upgraded city is equipped with features such as anti-lock brake system (ABS), dual SRS air bags, leather upholstery, new 1 DIN stereo and fog lamps. The new city comes in three more attractive colours – heather mist, carbon pearl and blush silver.

Honda which lost its No 1 position in mid size sedan segment to Maruti Suzuki SX4 and Mahindra Logan hopes to revive its favour through its refurbished city. The launch of upgraded city coincides with the 10th anniversary of Honda car India and the company has sold a total of 1,96,000 Honda City cars in India since its launch in 1998. Except for the top-end ‘Vtec’, rest of the three variants, which are loaded with extra features, would be costlier by Rs 3,000 from the existing ones.The new city is priced between Rs 6.80 lakh and Rs 8.65 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Honda city’s competetior SX4 range is available at Rs 6.3-7.2 lakh and Mahindra Renault Logan range is available at Rs 4.7-6.5 lakh. Honda plans to aggressively expand its retail/dealership network from 62 to 80 in six months.

What’s new based on variants:

Honda city EXi: This variant will be fitted with an MP3 CD, AM/FM stereo with four speakers, a new key design steering, accessory socket, central door lock switch, thicker chrome rings and white rear lens. The EXi will be priced at Rs 6.8 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi price)

Honda city GXi: Front fog lamps, side step garnish, two keyless entry remote transmitters, new design combi metre and new 1 Din MP3 CD AM/FM stereo with four speakers. This variant is priced at Rs 7.3 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

Honda city VTEC: A superior 2-Din MP3 CD AM/FM stereo with four speakers, premium dark woody panel, trunk spoiler as a standard dealer fitment. Leather upholstery, Anti Lock Braking System, dual SRS air bags for both driver and co-driver. This variant is priced at Rs 8.65 lakh (ex-showroom price). This variant is also available without leather upholstery, ABS and SRS airbags and will be priced at Rs 8.03 lakh.

Meanwhile Toyota kirslokar is  planning a festive season campaign to further boost sales of all its models.

Honda’s ambitious plan:

Honda will replace the current City with the next generation city in 2008 which will be rolled out from the Honda’s new Rajasthan plant. Honda will bring the next generation accord in march 2008 to India.Honda is planning to bring its civic Hybrid to India in 2008 which will be priced around Rs20lakhs.Honda is actively considering to put its solo diesel engine of 2.2 litres and 140 horsepower into a CRV or an Accord. Honda also considers to roll out an upgraded CR-V – featuring sunroof and some other frills soon.