R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, MAR 14
The Indian subsidiary of Japanese automaker, Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL) will launch one new product every year in future, said Mr Yuichi Murata, Director, Marketing & Sales here on Tuesday.
Addressing reporters Mr Yuichi Murata said that Honda Cars has considerable market share in compact sedan amaze and its premium sedan Honda City (petrol and hybrid).
He said that HCIL is planning to launch SUV ahead of the festival season this year. Earlier this month the HCIL had launched Honda City based on 5th General Model with sharper and sportier new look with several new features including safety sensors in both Petrol and Hybrid version.
As India is considered as the lead market for the Honda City, this new version is getting launched first in India, Mr Yuichi Murata said.
Honda Sensing – Advanced Driver Assist System
HCIL is now expanding the application of Honda Sensing – Advanced Driver Assist System to the Petrol model as well. The Honda Sensing was first introduced with Honda City e:HEV last year and the technology has been much appreciated by its customers. This technology will be available in majority of the variants of Honda City now.
When asked about whether the earlier versions of Honda City and Amaze cars can be retrofit with the Honda Sensing – Advanced Driver Assist System, Mr. Yuchi Marata said, the customers can exchange their old cars with new one with advance features.
Replying to a query, Mr Yuchi Marata said that the HCIL is also planning to increase its production capacity from 1,80,000 units to 2,00,000 units.
With a view to popularize the Strong Hybrid technology among larger base of customers, the City e:HEV is also being expanded by introduction of a new variant, which is at Rs 1 lakh reduced price than that of the current ZX variant, he added.
Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales said, “We are in the process of restructuring our model line-up depending upon customer needs and also keeping in mind the stringent emission norms in India. Aiming to meet the emission norms and carbon neutrality, HCIL has discontinued its diesel powertrain. But the company is focusing on the new Honda City with hybrid and petrol powertrains,” he added.
