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Honda which recenlty launched the new Accord has outlined its plans for the Indian market. Honda wish to be a larger player in the Indian market and has accelerated its pace as it gets into the mainstream segments. Yes, it plans multiple hatchbacks, a diesel car and a hybrid car for the Indian market. Honda which is investing Rs1000 crores in its new Rajasthan plans to roll out six models based on three platforms. Similar to Honda’s Suzuka plant, the Rajasthan plant will be capable of handling six models based on different platforms. The plant will also supply engine components and stamped body parts to the existing Greater Noida plant. The first car from Rajasthan plant will be made between the new Jazz platform or a completely new platform. The Jazz or the new premium Hatchback will be launched only in 2009. Contrary to our belief, the Jazz will be launched only by the end of 2009. This is mainly because Honda wants to ensure high localisation in Jazz in order to market it at a competitive price. “In all our cars, we are looking for a high level of localisation. That is the case with Jazz too. Our objective is 70-80 per cent localisation,” Mr Masahiro Takedagawa, President and CEO of Honda Siel India said. The other platform, which Honda will built to suit Indian needs, will be launched after four to five years.

Let’s move to higher segments where Honda already has a strong presence. Honda is studying the diesel 2.4-litre 100 bhp engine and the 3.5-litre V6 diesel for the indian market. Diesel engines may be strapped under the hood of CR-V and Accord. We already informed you about the Honda CR-V diesel which the company is secretly testing in India. As far as the green cars is concerned, Honda wants to gauge the market response for green cars with the Civic Hybrid. Civic Hybrid will be imported as CBU and the car will be available through all Honda dealership across the country. Civic Hybrid is expected to be priced around Rs20 lakh. Mr Takedagawa indicated that Honda has greater plans at the global level in the area of sustainable motoring solutions. He said that the company is keenly looking at the market response to Civic Hybrid to introduce ‘cleaner and greener’ cars to India. “Let’s see what the response to Civic Hybrid is. And then we will decide on other varieties. We will go step by step,” he said. If we buy more hybrid, Honda may introduce FCX in India.