Honda to launch six new models in three years

At the ongoing Tokyo Motor Show 2017, Honda has outlined its three year plan for the Indian market. The company will be introducing six new models in India by 2020. Honda further went on to state that these cars will be CKD (Completely Knocked Down) units, which means that they will be assembled in India and will not be locally manufactured.

Speaking to media about plans for India, Takahiro Hachigo, president and representative director, CEO Honda Motor Co. Ltd said, "Honda has no plans to bring in battery electric vehicles to India yet, but will certainly consider bringing in more hybrid vehicles to India. Of the six new models coming to India in the next three years, we are considering hybrids too but cannot confirm anything right now. Hybrids are more sensible, more usable and the strategy depends on what customers can use and not what the government dictates."  

Honda has also revealed that it does not intend on having more diesel versions of its lineup for India anytime soon and will continue to work on developing petrol engines and hybrid options for the country. Takahiro Hachigo, also stated that the company aims at 65 per cent of its cars to have electrification by 2030. Reports indicate that around 50 per cent of the product portfolio will be hybrid, while 15 per cent will be electric and fuel cell.

Honda has not revealed the list of upcoming cars for now, however we expect to see the new-gen Civic and the CR-V to make it here sometime soon. Although initially the six cars will come in as CKD, over time the company will focus on improving local content in these cars.