Honda to launch CNG-powered City today

Honda Car India (HCIL), the subsidiary company of Honda Motor Company, Japan, which is feeling the heat of the demand slide due to its absence in the diesel segment, is readying the launch of a CNG-powered City sedan today.
This is the first time that the Japanese company is launching an affordable alternate fuel option against petrol in the domestic market in one of its products. Honda's entire India line-up is made up of petrol-driven products.

 

It had, however, launched a hybrid Civic several months ago but owing to its high cost the company gradually phased it out from the market due to muted response.

Sources say that the new version will be a dual-fuel type City (petrol and CNG), allowing the driver to chose between the two. The car would most probably be the same model currently on sale in Thailand.
HCIL is having a soft launch of the CNG City today in Delhi and will disclose prices shortly. The car will come with a factory fitted CNG tank. The cheapest version of the City is priced at Rs 8.20 lakh  (ex-showroom, Mumbai).
Honda sells the City CNG in Thailand only with a 5-speed automatic transmission in two versions. The petrol tank has a capacity of 42 litres while the CNG tank has a capacity of 65 litres.
The City sedan is the second largest selling model for Honda in India after the Brio compact hatchback. But its sales have been sliding due to fierce competition from companies like Hyundai, Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Nissan, Renault and Toyota, which also provide a diesel option.
Honda City sales fell to 14,293 units during the period April-September this year, a fall of 28% as against 19,803 units sold in the same period last year. Most companies are providing a CNG option today as the fuel is cheaper than even diesel.