Honda Motor will be using all-new diesel engines sequentially to new models starting from 2013-14 in India.
In addition to fuel efficiency, the cost competitiveness of the all-new diesel engine will be enhanced through local sourcing and local production to make new diesel models more affordable for customers, according to Takanobu Ito, CEO Honda Motor Corporation.
This information was contained in a speech delivered by him while sharing the company’s future plans. A copy of the speech was released to the press.
In 2011, the company, Mr. Ito had stated, was forced to deal with the unprecedented appreciation of the yen, temporary suspension of production around the world, and shortage of electricity due to the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the flooding in Thailand. “However, thanks to the co-operation of our suppliers, business partners, and the efforts of Honda associates, we achieved a speedy recovery, and, as of today, we are ready to make a counter-attack,” a release quoted him as saying.
In order to compete in and win in highly-competitive low-price Asian markets and fulfil the diverse needs of customers, in addition to the all-new Fit Series, Honda will add sedan-type and utility-type models utilising the platform of the BRIO, Honda’s strategic model for Asia. “Honda will strive to increase the sales and further growth in Asia by strengthening its mutually complementary structure in the region, especially among Thailand, Indonesia, India and Malaysia,’’ he had said.
It is reliably learnt that the new entry-level sedan that Honda is planning for India on BRIO platform would be a diesel version. ``This one (entry-level sedan) will come a notch below the Honda City,’’ sources said. Once the entry-level sedan (still under development and yet to be unveiled) was launched, all new cars and full model launches would have diesel versions also, these sources said.
Motorcycle business
By leveraging the advantages of being the world’s top motorcycle manufacturer, Honda would provide joys, fun and convenience to more customers. In 2016-17, Honda would strive to achieve worldwide motorcycle sales of more than 25 million units.
“The motorcycle business is the origin of Honda, and it has a wide range of products in 29 production plants in 21 countries around the world adding 15 million customers annually. Using further growth in emerging markets, where continuous expansion is expected, as a driving force, Honda will continue to be proactive in evolving its motorcycle business,’’ Mr. Ito said in his speech.
In India, Honda would strive to further grow its motorcycle business through introduction of highly-competitive models in the 100cc segment, which was the largest segment in the motorcycle market in India, and through the start of production at the third plant in the country which was scheduled to be operational in the first half of 2013, he added.
