Honda Plans to Expand SUV Range in India

Sep, 2020 - By SMI

Honda India is actively planning to introduce new SUV models in the country to expand the company’s SUV portfolio.

The increasing popularity of SUVs in India has caught the eye of several automotive manufacturers in the country. Many new entrants are judiciously targeting the rapidly growing segment whereas existing market players are planning to expand their SUV presence in the market. Now, Honda, a Japanese automobile manufacturer is planning to expand its SUV range in the country. Honda India Senior Vice President and Director, Rajesh Goel has confirmed that the company plans to take advantage of strong demand by introducing new SUV models in the Indian market.

Sales of utility vehicles have increased over the years, and Honda is not the fastest adapt and capitalize, confessed Goel. Currently, a Japanese manufacturer only retails the Jazz-based WR-V and the CR-V SUV in the Indian market. In 2019, the company plans to launch a midsize SUV called HR-V in India. Now, the company is actively planning to introduce new SUV models in the country to expand the company’s SUV portfolio. However, the company’s international portfolio includes several SUVs. Honda India plans to launch some of them that are compatible with the Indian automotive market.

The company does not want to launch several models in a short span. Moreover, Honda India is working on 2 new SUV models which will be built on the 2UA (codename) platform that will support the second-gen Amaze. The first model will be a sub-4-meter SUV, expected to be launched by 2022. When launched, it will compete against the Hyundai Venue and Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. The second model will be a 4.2 or 4.3 meter-long, which will compete against the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta. As per a recent trademark application, the company has also registered a new SUV model named ZR-V. However, the ZR-V is still in the search process and has not received the green light.