Business Standard reported that Honda is the third largest car maker in Japan but in India it is at a distant seventh, despite being in the market for nearly 17 years.
Its India subsidiary, Honda Cars India Ltd is readying a strategy including a series of launches in the compact and premium segments, introduction of diesel variants and an increased thrust on exports, to fill the wide gaps in operations.
With an all diesel line in India, it is desperate to bring the small capacity diesel engine it has developed independently, by the parent company. Starting next year, the company will begin introductions of diesel variants, to be first seen on a C segment sedan based on its Brio compact car.
Gradually, the same engine will be seen in other models offered to the domestic market. However, none of the current generation models will get the engine, as an entirely new line is being readied. The City sedan will make way for a completely new, next generation model, to be also offered in the diesel option. Though HCIL's overall sales have increased by 46% to 35,440 units this financial year so far, sales of the City sedan dipped to 14,293 units, a drop of 28% in the same period.
Further, the fastest growing passenger vehicle segment, utility vehicles will also see some action.
The company is studying the possibility of introducing a utility vehicle in India, perhaps in the sports utility vehicle or the multi utility vehicle segment.
Mr Hironori Kanayama president and CEO of HCIL said that "We have made significant changes to the new model line up, which will be seen over the next year. We have decided on a number of new model launches we have started investment on the diesel engine facility and it will be ready by the end of the year. We have invested in a completely new line."
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