PaulTan.org: 2014 Honda City launched in Thailand – two airbags and VSA standard, six airbags an option

Not for us in North America, it's basically a 4dr Honda FIT/Jazz....

by Anthony Lim of www.paultan.org

Following the 2014 Honda City‘s global market debut in India just over two weeks ago, the car has now made its ASEAN debut in Thailand, with six variants priced from 550,000 baht.

All variants are powered by a 1.5 litre i-VTEC engine, which can also run on E85 fuel. It produces 117 hp at 6,000 rpm and 146 Nm of torque at 4,700 rpm (in India, 117 hp at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 4,600 rpm). Save for the baseline variant which has a five-speed manual gearbox, the new Honda City now comes with a seven-step CVT gearbox, replacing the outgoing model‘s five-speed automatic.

The six variants of the Thai-market Honda City consist of the S MT, which is priced at 550,000 baht (RM55,650), the S AT at 589,000 baht (RM59,600), the V at 649,000 baht (RM65,670), the V+ at 689,000 baht (RM69,720), the SV at 734,000 baht (RM74,270) and the SV+, which goes for 749,000 baht (RM75,790).

Like the Indian-market City, the interior features a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which supports a smartphone interface, and an automatic air-conditioning system with a touch-control panel for the SV and SV+ variants (the other variants get manual AC and a standard audio system). The triple gauges are illuminated by blue light rings and house a multi-information display on the V, V+, SV and SV+ versions – the baseline S has amber illumination.

Other features include keyless entry with push-start ignition and a multi-function steering wheel with paddle shifters, cruise control, audio control switches and a hands-free telephone switch for the SV and SV+.

Unlike the rather bare Indian-spec car, all Thai variants come with good safety features as standard – ABS brakes, VSA stability control, Hill Start Assist and Emergency Stop Signal. Let’s hope the same goes for the Malaysian-spec car.

The V+ and SV+ variants include an upgrade to the standard safety specs, adding i-Side airbags and side curtain airbags to the mix, bringing the total airbag count to six. The ‘+’ in the model name also adds a multi-angle rearview camera with three-level adjustment.

There are seven colour choices for the car – Modern Steel Grey (metallic), Carnelian Red (pearl), Crystal Black (pearl), Alabaster Silver (metallic), Taffeta White are joined by two new shades, these being Brilliant Sporty Blue (metallic) and Golden Brown (metallic).

Honda Automobile Thailand is targeting sales of 60,000 units of the new City per year. This should of course aid Honda’s cause in the 2014 passenger car sales race – Honda overtook Toyota in Thai passenger car sales for the first time ever in 2013.

Source;
http://paultan.org/2014/01/23/2014-honda-city-launched-in-thailand/

Official – Global unveil of Honda’s Vision XS-1 crossover concept at 2014 Auto Expo

The Honda XS-1 is very likely to be a SUV top-hat on the Mobilio platform.

by Karthik H of www.indianautosblog.com 

Honda has announced that it will conduct yet another global unveil in India. A creative study model called the “Honda Vision XS-1″ will be revealed at the 2014 Auto Expo in February.

The Vision XS-1 is a new crossover based on the packaging technology of Honda with both surprising space and sporty styling, the company says.

There will also be the Mobilio MPV, the third-generation Jazz hatchback, the four-generation City sedan and the Amaze compact sedan on display making it the biggest ever Auto Expo for Honda, who had nothing new to show at the previous edition.

The new Honda Jazz receives its Indian premiere at the Auto Expo.

As for the Vision XS-1 crossover concept, going by its description, it seems to be a made-for-Asia concept as it talks about packaging technology and surprising space, and not about performance or looks.

The previous made-for-Asia cars that Honda launched (and shared this introduction) were the Brio hatchback and Amaze sedan, which have had good success streaks in India and other Asian markets like Thailand and Indonesia. Moreover Honda have the Vezel earmarked for global countries, and a second crossover is not warranted.

Honda would also put the new Accord Hybrid on display, as a study.

Honda even recently inaugurated a facility in Indonesia this week that became the first to manufacture the Mobilio MPV. Honda India has already confirmed to IAB that the Mobilio will be launched in the coming fiscal.

There will also be a new scooter from Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India at the Auto Expo, the release mentioned.

Source;
http://indianautosblog.com/2014/01/honda-vision-xs-1-crossover-concept-auto-expo-2014-113344

Honda India plans Amaze-based SUV to take on EcoSport (Honda Vezel not going to India)

Honda Brio MPV Rendering

by Sumant Banerji

Flush with the success of its entry-level sedan Amaze launched in April, Honda is developing a compact SUV based on the same platform, which is likely to be launched in India in 2015.

The vehicle will be less than 4 metres in length, which will qualify it for lower excise duties, and will be powered by the 1.5-litre diesel engine of the Amaze. Honda had showcased a new SUV Vezel, based on the bigger Jazz platform, at the Tokyo Motor Show last month, but it is unlikely to be launched in India soon as that car is over 4 metres long, which  would make it costlier in India.

“The compact SUV segment in India is growing rapidly and now that we have a suitable diesel engine, we would want to participate in it,” said a senior Honda official in Japan. “Vezel will be an expensive vehicle for India. I do not think its a vehicle on priority for that market.”

Honda has also developed a 7-seater multi utility vehicle Mobilio, based on the small car Brio/Amaze sedan, which is due to be launched in India in the middle of next year.  The Amaze, which has Honda’s first small diesel engine, has revived the company’s fortunes in India. In the 7 months since its launch, over 55,000 units have been sold, and it still has a waiting period of up to three  months.

“We do not have a fixed plan for our future model line up to share at this moment,” the Honda Cars India spokesperson in India said. “But we will continue to consider any possibility to expand our lineup as per customer demand.”

Source;
http://www.hindustantimes.com/autos/htauto-homepagetopproducts/honda-plans-amaze-based-suv-to-take-on-ecosport/article1-1166732.aspx

Honda plans to bring globally successful MPV Freed to take on Toyota Innova in India (Not for North America)

By Chanchal Pal Chauhan

NEW DELHI: After challenging market leader Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire with Amaze in the compact sedan segment, Japanese carmaker Honda plans to take on the country's best-selling multi-purpose vehicle Toyota Innova by driving in a second utility vehicle in 2016.

Honda Car India plans to bring in the next generation of its globally successful MPV Freed, which is expected to be launched in ASEAN markets mid next year, to take on the Innova, two people familiar with the development said. It will follow Honda Mobilio, a 7-seater crossover utility vehicle being built on the Brio hatchback platform that would be unveiled at Delhi Auto Expo in February.

Honda and Toyota are working on the next-generation Freed and Innova, respectively, with both due for full model change. "Both cars are under design right now and it would interesting to see how Honda takes on an well established product which was ruling the market with no competition since its debut," said a person familiar with India strategy of both the carmakers.

A Honda Car India spokesperson, however, said the company currently does not have any plans to launch the Freed in India. "However, we are actively looking at the MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) segment and plan to launch the Honda Mobilio next year," the spokesperson said. The two industry insiders quoted earlier, however, said the Freed will hit the Indian market two years down the line.

Launched in 2005, Innova has been Toyota's most successful vehicle in India, having sold around 4.5 lakh units till November. It's priced between Rs9.77 lakh to Rs15.06 lakh, exshowroom in Delhi. Analysts tracking the automotive market say Freed would bring real competition to Innova if it gets its pricing right.

"This segment was untouched till date as Innova was perhaps the leader with almost no competition. Now it would be interesting to see how Honda takes this rivalry with an established product going forward, "Amit Kaushik, principal analyst-autos at global consultancy service IHS Automotive, said.

Source;
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/auto/automobiles/honda-plans-to-bring-globally-successful-mpv-freed-to-take-on-toyota-innova-in-india/articleshow/27667072.cms

Next Gen Honda City Revealed

Honda has unveiled the next-generation City today and the unveiling had happened in New Delhi. This is the first time that a City has been unveiled in India than Thailand. This is the fourth-generation City for India and this will be the first one to come plonked with a diesel engine. The first generation made its way into India in 1998 and since then it has been one of the best sellers for Honda and also the segment-leader until the petrol prices shot up and the sales of diesel cars increased.

Source;
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-cd/new-honda-city-unveiled-cardekho-gets-funding-113120200542_1.html

2014 New Honda City Exterior and Interior Walkaround VIDEOS

Developed in Japan

Honda has introduced the fourth generation of the Japan-developed City in New Delhi, India.

The mid-size sedan was created at Honda's R&D center in Tochigi, Japan and represents the firm's first model to implement the new "EXCITING H DESIGN!!!" styling language. The vehicle has the same 4400mm length and 1695mm width as the previous generation, but its height has increased by 10mm to 1495mm while the wheelbase has been stretched by 50mm to 2600mm.

Power will come from a 4-cylinder, 1.5-liter DOHC i-DTEC diesel engine created exclusively for the Indian market which uses the latest Earth Dreams Technology. There will also be an upgraded 4-cylinder, 1.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC gasoline engine promising to bring a better balance between performance and fuel economy.

Already available on order, the new Honda City will go on sale in January 2014 in India and will be followed by 60 other markets.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/113112566658/fourth-gen-honda-city-revealed-in-india-on-sale-in-january

Honda to drive in new 'City' to India by January

Japanese car maker Honda on Monday unveiled the all new version of sedan 'City' in India as a part of plans to strengthen its position in the country.

The company , which unveiled the car globally, will start selling the model to be available both in petrol and diesel variants in India from January next year.

"The all new fourth generation Honda City, which would be available in both petrol and diesel versions, will take the legacy of the car forward," said Honda Motor Co Managing Officer Yoshiyuki Matsumoto in New  Delhi. Currently, Honda City comes with petrol engine only.

The petrol variant of the new Honda City comes with the existing 1.5 litre iVTEC engine, while the diesel variant would have the recently launched 1.5 iDTEC diesel motor.

The company, which is present in the country through a wholly-owned subsidiary Honda Cars India, currently sells five models in the country, including the compact sedan Amaze and hatchback Brio.

Honda Cars India sold 73,000 units in last fiscal and aims to market 1.20 lakh cars this financial year on the back of new launches.

The company had launched the first generation Honda City in India in 1998 and has so far sold 4.3 lakh units of the car.

Source;
http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/honda-unveils-new-version-of-sedan-city/1/200853.html

India-bound Honda Urban SUV to be named as CR-U

A couple of days more, we will see the global unveiling of the production version of the Honda Urban SUV concept at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. According to some media reports, the compact SUV will be named as the CR-U. However, nothing has been confirmed yet, but the CR-U name certainly make sense for the Urban SUV. The patent images of the vehicle have already been leaked on the web.
Based on the 2014 Honda Jazz platform, the compact SUV will also make its way to the Indian car market in 2015. The mini SUV source most of its styling cues from the concept showcased earlier this year. The appealing body design will feature curves, low roofline and a broader stance. It will be more than 4-metre in length, but will be smaller than the company's flagship SUV CR-V.

Internationally, the Urban SUV is expected to share its engine spec from the Jazz, and is also likely to get the Civic's 1.6-litre diesel engine. For Indian buyers, the CR-U will share its engine and transmission options with the next generation Honda Jazz. So, it will be powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine and a 1.5-litre i-DTEc diesel engine.

The production version of the Mini SUV will be launched in Japan first in 2013, followed by North America, Europe and then India. In our country, it will compete against the likes of Nissan Terrano and Renault Duster, and is expected to be priced around Rs. 9-10 lakh. ($25,000 - $30,000 for Canada). 

Source;
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-cd/india-bound-honda-urban-suv-to-be-named-as-cr-u-113111800723_1.html

Video – Honda Mobilio presentation film released

The video brings to light a few details that we were unable to show in our previous posts. The ground clearance for example, which is supposed to be best-in-class at 185mm, can be seen in this video.

Inside, the middle row seat will have a 60:40 (split) arrangement and the seats themselves slide back and forth apart from reclining. That being said, we would love to see Honda offer captains chairs, at least as an optional feature.

This video also shows the roof mounted secondary air con unit which is positioned just before the second row. On the 4,390mm long Mobilio, this is more of a necessity rather than a feature, especially in a place like India which gets very hot and humid during summers.

The Mobilio seems to sport a capacious boot even with all three rows in place. However, luggage capacity can be further expanded by folding and tumbling the third row.

Since it is based on the Brio platform, the Mobilio carries over its door trim, steering wheel, dashboard and center console.

In India, we expect to see the Mobilio launch next year and apart from the City’s 1.5-liter petrol engine, Honda would offer its EarthDreams 1.5-liter diesel engine on it as well.

Source;
http://indianautosblog.com/2013/10/honda-mobilio-video-102013

Honda working on a new hatchback to compete with Maruti Suzuki Alto 800

The performance of the Amaze compact sedan has completely changed the image of Honda in the Indian car market. Sometime ago, the Japanese car maker was labelled as a brand that does not produce vehicles for the masses. However, as a part of the brand redevelopment program, the firm worked on the i-DTEC technology, which has turned out to be a huge success. The Amaze has managed to eat in on the sales of the Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire, which indicates the kind of impact it has made in India. Now, banking on the success of this model, the company has planned aggressively for the Indian car market in the coming years. According to sources, the firm is going to launch the diesel version of Honda City in the year 2014. Now, fresh reports have surfaced regarding the production of an entry-level hatchback, which is likely to take place at a new plant.

Although nothing has been confirmed by the auto maker, rumours and speculations indicate that Honda is planning to build on the good work done in the recent past. Reports claim that top officials from the firm held a meeting to discuss and contemplate the way forward in context of the Indian car market. After rivalling Maruti Suzuki directly in the compact sedan segment, the Japanese auto maker wants to compete with an entry-level hatchback. To facilitate the same, the company, sources suggest, has started a comprehensive research on the new production facility and is considering a number of locations.

Industry experts feel that Honda has the potential to perform well in the entry-level hatchback segment despite strong competition. At present, this segment is being led by the likes of Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 and Hyundai Eon, which have done exceptionally well. The Japanese auto maker, currently, sells the Brio hatchback in the Indian market, a car that has got excellent reviews from experts. The hatchback segment has tremendous potential in India, which means that Honda can do wonders regardless of the number of competitors it has in the country.

Sources suggest that even the company is looking forward in the same direction and increase its market share in India. An official from Honda, close to this campaign, said, "We have to run fast to get volumes in India because we are very small today. Honda feels that to maintain and grow its global market share by 2020, increased capacity will be needed in emerging markets like India, from where the growth will actually come, since developed markets are near saturation. Talks are on for various products, but nothing has been frozen. But only when we are sure of utilising the new capacity at Tapukara, can we ask the headquarters for more investment."

Source;

http://www.cartrade.com/car-bike-news/honda-working-on-a-new-hatchback-to-compete-with-maruti-suzuki-alto-800-121924.html

Honda to launch new cars in India

Honda India India Ltd (HCIL) said it would soon launch its two cars in new Avtar – a diesel variety of city and relook Jazz. Also the company would create a new segment which would boat of faster, sleeker and smarter vehicles.

“We are planning to create a new segment, we call it crossover utility vehicle Also our most preferred car City will be launched in diesel variant it would hit Indian roads in 2014,” Jnaneswar Sen, senior vice president, sales and marketing said here, “It will be launched in Japan in November and will come to India in 2014.”

He said Honda has posted a handsome growth of 88% in November 13 and it would continue in days to come. “We are pitching in our Amaze in both diesel and petrol variants particularly in markets of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha region as consumers are not only price conscious but also want fuel economic variant and the vehicle is best in class and delivers 25 km to a liter,” he said.

On being asked why Honda has not launched a diesel variety of its much preferred car City, he said “though we have the technology but we could not fit the Amaze diesel engine in the City. So we have to launch new City. The Jazz will also be launched in new look.”

Honda may also reinvent hybrid version of Civic provide government come forward to extend some support.

“We were first to launch hybrid version of Civic but it is very costly. We have learned a lot from Indian market. The consumers want a hybrid version but not very costly, though hybrid cars are more fuel efficient and environment-friendly. We can go for a hybrid car but we need support the government should offer some sops It is a costly technology rather costly affair,” he said.

The company he company sold 59,617 units and posted a cumulative growth of 68% in the April-Sept 2013 period as against 35,440 units sold during the same period last year.

“The new sedan Amaze has witnessed an overwhelming response in India and has sold more than 38,000 units in a short span of time since April 2013,” he said. HCIL, also recently introduced an “Exclusive” Edition of Honda Brio with striking new interiors and accessories to bring joy this festive season.

Source;
http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/honda-to-launch-new-cars-113100400736_1.html

Indonesia – More Honda Mobilio (Brio MPV) images leak online

by Nithyanandh K

 

We brought you the first visuals of the Honda Brio based MPV which, according to the media, has been christened as the Honda Mobolio last week.

 

Here are two more leaked images of the Honda Mobilio uploaded by our friends at Autonetmagz.com. The image quality is poor but you get the basic knowledge of the car’s appearance.

The Mobilio will be pitted against the leading compact MPVs in Indonesia like the Toyota Avanza, Daihatsu Xenia and Suzuki Ertiga. It receives its world debut at the IIMS 2013 that is set to begin on September 19th in Jakarta.

The MPV is instantly recognizable as a member of the Brio family. The grill element is more prominent than the ones on the Brio and the Amaze but the headlamps are more or less similar.

In profile, the Mobilio carries a typical compact MPV silhouette with the rear characterized by a slightly tapered windscreen. It manages to have a proper MPV stance in spite of relying on a compact hatchback for its foundations.

The engine option confirmed for Indonesia is the 1.5 litre i-VTEC petrol engine available on the City. As far as India is concerned, the 1.5 litre i-DTEC diesel engine that drives the Amaze would be the ‘assassin’ in the variant mix.

The Honda Mobilio will make its Indian debut sometime next year. A premiere at the 2014 Auto Expo looks likely.

Source;
http://indianautosblog.com/2013/09/honda-mobilio-brio-mpv-images-leak-95421

Honda Brio-based MPV unveiled

Honda has just revealed the sketches of its new mini-MPV (Codename: 2NH) in Indonesia. Known as a ‘low’ MPV or LMPV, the sketch clearly shows a car with a comparatively low-slung roof and an elongated wheelbase. Imagine a Maruti Ertiga with a lower roof and you won’t be too far off the mark.

The styling, however, is far more aggressive. The nose, especially the headlights and the grille, are clearly Brio-like, but the car is sat on a block-like base, put there in an effort to disguise the otherwise odd dimensions. Gaping large inlets are present in the front and rear bumper, the designers have used a kink in the window line to visually reduce the length of the car and big wheel arches have also been used to further accentuate this. The heavily flared wheel arch at the rear, with its central ridgeline, is in fact likely to be the talking point of this car. The sketch also reveals a very interesting ‘floating D pillar’ that hovers above the shoulder line. It however remains to be seen if this feature makes it to production.

Known as Asia’s MPV haven, Indonesia is the home to many MPVs. Toyota’s Innova is produced there, our own Maruti Ertiga is sold in that market and there are a raft of other MPVs on sale there too. Honda’s Low MPV (code: 2NH) will also be produced there first, Indonesia likely to be the launch market. India however will be next.

Details of the interior are sketchy, but the Brio’s dashboard is likely to be carried over. Insiders say there will be plenty of luggage space present even with all three rows being used by passengers.

Where Honda’s mini-MPV is likely to score well too is in the engine department. Unlike Maruti’s Ertiga, that suffers from a bit of turbo lag owing to the small displacement 1248cc diesel engine used, this car will come powered by Honda’s 1500cc 100bhp motor that delivers instant throttle responses and plenty of torque. The 2NH is also likely to use an updated version of the City’s current 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol motor because it is unlikely to be less than four meters long.

With three rows of seats, Honda’s excellent packaging skills, aggressive styling and a strong diesel engine under the hood, Honda’s mini-MPV will surely give the Ertiga a run for its money. Expect to see the car in India first at the Auto Expo in January 2014, with the production version hitting our shores towards the middle of next year.

Source;
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Autos/Latest-News/Honda-Brio-based-MPV-unveiled/Article1-1094847.aspx

Amaze works wonders for Honda's brand makeover, more launches lined up

Hironori Kanayama, President

The plush showroom in Noida is abuzz. Monthly footfalls have surged from 200 early this year to about 500. From worrying about poor sales, the dealer is now grappling with a three-month-long waiting list. Business hours are often extended and not just at the Noida dealership to manage the customer surge.

It wasn't always this way for Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL). A slew of missteps from mispricing premium hatchback Jazz, to ignoring the mass market and, subsequently the diesel segment when the price differential with petrol widened coupled with a few natural calamities elsewhere like an earthquake in Japan and floods in Thailand hit HCIL hard. Between fiscal years 2007 and 2013, market share steadily dropped from a peak of 4.44% to a low of 2.74%. Volkswagen's Vento and Hyundai's Verna eroded Honda's leadership position in sedans, where the City once ruled the roost; and models like the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Camry began giving Honda's Civic and Accord a run for their money in the executive sedan and premium sedan segments, respectively.

"Honda was an aspirational brand, rich in features and looks. But it also came across as an overpriced and highly decontented [industry terminology for removal of features] vehicle," says V Ramakrishnan, managing director at Frost & Sullivan India, a consultancy firm. The short point: Honda wasn't getting anything right: neither product, nor price nor positioning.

It required just one launch to turn things around. The Amaze, launched just two months ago, has helped HCIL, according to SIAM, jump one place to No. 5 in May, ending the month with a share of 5.63% of the Indian car market. With total sales of 11,342, HCIL's sales grew 9.8% in May over a year ago in a sluggish market where competitors like Maruti (decline of 13%), Toyota (decline of 35%) felt the brunt.

"This is our counterattack. Amaze is our first weapon. We have many more," says HCIL CEO Hironori Kanayama. Adds Jnaneshwar Sen, senior V-P (sales & marketing): "We have managed to hit the sweet spot."

It may be just one model that has reversed HCIL's fortunes, but to create that winning product called for a complete overhaul of the company's DNA an exercise that began two years ago.

Thinking Frugal
Honda's biggest challenge was to learn new and cheaper ways to develop and produce cars in India. Earlier, Honda developed global models and then tried to localise for each new market. For the Amaze, inputs from India began trickling in right from the beginning of the R&D process.

Between the Brio hatchback launched in 2011 and the Amaze, HCIL worked aggressively to contain costs by developing local vendors without compromising on quality.

From 102 vendors at the pre-Brio stage, HCIL's vendor base has now grown to over 200 (the majority of them non-Japanese), helping Honda achieve 92% localisation. Aditya Auto is one of HCIL's newer vendors, which began working with the carmaker three years ago. HCIL was looking for a cost-efficient way to produce window regulator systems in India that met its quality parameters. It had traditionally used a wire type rope mechanism that was imported from Thailand but was costly. "Honda gave us targets and asked us to give them solutions. We fundamentally changed the design of the window regulator," says Mihir Jayaraman, the vendor's business unit head. In the process, Jayaraman also brought the cost down by 35%. The decade old vendor, which has annual revenues of Rs 250 crore, now also supplies to Honda Thailand.

Source;
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-06-16/news/39993435_1_amaze-premium-hatchback-jazz-honda-cars-india-ltd

Latest Edition of Honda Accord Diesel to Arrive in India, Reports Gaadi.com

Hmmm, not sure what to think about this one....

Gaadi.com also feels that the all new Honda Accord will put up modern yet elegant interiors on display where the vast and well-appointed cabin will be incorporated with refined and stylish woody panel.

Boasting of bold and stylish appearance, the latest edition of Honda Accord looks as stunning as the outgoing model and is expected to arrive by late 2013 or early 2014.

Much anticipated amongst the Indian buyers, Honda Motors with the latest version of Accord has made the performance meet the best of comfort.

India’s leading online portal for posting the particulars about used and new cars, Gaadi.com perceives that the brand new Honda Accord as a perfect sign of sophistication. Apart from exhibiting a distinguished front grille, the recent version of Honda Accord will be seen sporting stylish alloy wheels and an all new electric sunroof.

Gaadi.com also feels that the all new Honda Accord will put up modern yet elegant interiors on display where the vast and well-appointed cabin will be incorporated with refined and stylish woody panel.

As far as the performance is concerned, the all new Honda Accord is expected to deliver an extraordinary power apart from better fuel economy and lower carbon-dioxide emissions, with the powerful 2.4L i-VTEC engine.

Generating a maximum power of 180 PS and a peak torque of 222 Nm, Honda Accord will come with a choice of manual as well as automatic transmission that will generate a mileage of 12.88 kmpl and 11.8 kmpl respectively, as tested by the Automotive Research Association of India.

The research team of Gaadi.com also identifies that the latest edition of Honda Accord meets all the safety standards and apart from Vehicle Stability Assist the brand new roll out will also feature standard measures that of anti-braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, six intelligent airbags and G-force control that tracks and controls the impact energy of an accident.

Expected to be tagged at a starting price of around 20 lacs, no official details have been disseminated by the company sources regarding the price range. With such powerful and notable feature, the all new Honda Accord is being awaited with much anticipation in the Indian market.

Complete specifications, features, in-depth reviews of the test drive from selected Indian journalists and user reviews along with some amazing pictures of Honda Accord can be located on a detailed page unveiled by Gaadi.com.

About The Company
Gaadi.com is the leading online automotive marketplace that brings car buyers and car sellers together. New car buyers can research their car purchase while used car buyers can browse through the largest collection of inventory online. Serving as the best resource for new car research in India, it provides users with information, opinions & tools that ease the process of finding a suitable car. The used car marketplace of Gaadi.com is the best in online space with a comprehensively curated and photographed stock of used cars. It provides a transparent and reliable platform for used car listings with detailed information for used car buyers.

Source;
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/5/prweb10773612.htm

Here’s another attempt at rendering the Honda Brio MPV

by Anjan Ravi

Last week, we showed you a rendering of the Honda Brio MPV. A lot of you wrote in with mixed response. It was quite obvious after reading a few comments that the long rear overhang of the rendered Brio based people carrier did not go down too well. Otherwise, most of you found the Brio MPV to be a rather challenging competitor to the Maruti Ertiga.

This rendering of the Brio MPV, done by Indonesian blog ‘Dumotkita’ tries to address the rear overhang issue. As you can see, this Brio MPV is almost Ertiga like at the rear: The tail gate is almost vertical and there is hardly anything after the rear wheel apart from the bumper itself. You get the essence of this story if you focus on the concept rather than on the quality of execution.

Extending the length of the Brio and integrating a third window would result in a Brio estate. The height of the car will also have to be raised, and more so if the Brio’s size class is taken into account. A taller body shell will have to come in place for it to look and feel like a proper MPV such as the Freed.

Honda is a world leader in interior packaging. The Jazz, Brio and the Amaze are testimony to that. As a result, we’re inclined to think that the overall length of the Brio MPV would be something in the order of what you see here. In terms of interior space, it is quite obvious that Honda would want to equal, or improve upon, what the Ertiga offers.

Engine wise, it can be said for certain that the Brio MPV would carry over the 1.5-liter i-DTEC diesel engine from the Amaze. The 1.2-liter i-VTEC engine may also be applied on the new derivative. We’ve been hearing that the Brio MPV would be aggressively priced in Indonesia, where it is scheduled to go on sale first. The ETA is sometime before April 2014. Even in Indonesia the Ertiga is one of the chief rivals for the Brio MPV.

Source;
http://indianautosblog.com/2013/05/honda-brio-mpv-rendering-77565

Honda to stop making Civic in India due to poor sales

Wow, don't get me wrong, I am no expert on the Auto market in India, however from what I can see, the Civic is too big, they appear to prefer smaller cars there, FIT/Jazz, Brio,City....

by Dany Tan of www.paultan.org

Honda will no longer produce Civics in India due to falling sales. The decision to pull the plug on the sedan is backed by dismal sales of just over 50,000 units since its launch in 2006.

Honda India’s marketing and sales boss Jnaneswar Sen told The Hindu’s Business Line that sales of the Civic have been falling steadily over the years with smaller models such as the City eating into figures. The last Civic was sold in March. “We felt there was no point in investing in a segment that was declining over the last three years,” he added.

Honda, which is the fifth largest brand in India, isn’t the only company facing this situation. In the subcontinent, the Civic fights Toyota’s Corolla and Hyundai’s Elantra in what they call the lower D-segment. Sales in this class have dropped 29% to 19,239 units in 2012-13 over the previous year. It’s clear that India prefers smaller cars like the 25.8 km/l Honda Brio Amaze Diesel.

On another note, it has been reported that Honda will launch a new Jazz next year, before a fresh City sedan, SUV, and an MPV from the same platform roll out. The latter should not be confused with a new “Brio MPV” that we expect to see at this year’s Indonesia International Motor Show.

Source;
http://paultan.org/2013/04/23/honda-to-stop-making-civic-in-india-due-to-poor-sales/

Honda exploring options to foray into multi-purpose vehicle segment in India

Japanese car maker Honda is exploring the possibility to foray into the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) segment in India, a top company official said today.

"Honda is mulling a seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle. And we are, at this moment, studying the market whether we have to launch it or not...," Jnaneswar Sen, senior vice-president of sales and marketing of Honda Cars India, told reporters here.

He further said: "See, to have a product, we must meet all the conditions -- what are people looking for, style, space. So we have to match everything. We actually decide whether we can actually bring it or not. That's the study we are doing now."

"We are looking at two options -- one it is a seven seater multi-purpose vehicle and the other is of course, compact sports utility vehicle. That concept has already been developed and it has been displayed at Detroit Motor Show in January this year," he added.

Asked whether people were shifting towards petrol car as diesel prices have been constantly increasing in the past, he said: "We hear from the industry that there is a slight shift (on preference to petrol cars from diesel)."

To a query on whether it was possible to launch diesel variants of the company's existing models including -- Brio, City using the same 1.5 litre diesel engine, Mr Sen said: "This engine will not be fitted in any of our current models. It will be only for our new models. When City was designed, it was designed to carry a petrol engine. The cost of modification for diesel engine is fairly high...So, we decided not to."

Mr Sen, who launched the company's mid-size sedan Amaze, said: "With the launch of Amaze we are entering into a new segment, which we were not present all these years."

It is priced between Rs. 5.04 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai) for entry-level petrol and Rs. 7.68 lakh (ex-showroom Chennai) for top-end diesel variant.

"The other big significance of the launch of Amaze is, it comes with Diesel engine. Whenever (in future) we launch new models, they may carry this (diesel) engine as well," he said.

Noting that the company since its nationwide launch of Amaze has got good response, he said, the company may retail about 4,000 to 5,000 due to capacity constraints at its manufacturing facility.

To a query, he said the company would also expand its presence to 102 cities by this financial year compared to the existing 97 cities.

"At this moment we are present in 97 cities. So tier I and II are of course completely covered. Our focus is to go further down across 100 cities soon within this year," he said, adding the company would focus on sales of Amaze in the domestic market.

"Unlike many other companies, our opportunity to exports is not huge. I think Honda has about 150 factories across the world. For time being no specific plans (on exports), we are going to focus on domestic market," he said. 

Source;
http://profit.ndtv.com/news/industries/article-honda-exploring-options-to-foray-into-multi-purpose-vehicle-segment-in-india-320952

Honda Amaze: 10 features will change the sedan segment game!

This is not for the North American market

Honda Amaze: 10 features will change the sedan segment game!

1 Apr, 2013

Zigwheels.com & ET Bureau

Honda's Amaze is all set to storm the sedan segment! Honda had stubbornly stayed away from the diesel market and paid a heavy price as its market share eroded in the past two years. Now it is hoping that the Amaze will bring it strongly back into the reckoning.

With the competition set to heat up here is a look at ten interesting details about the car that will change the game in the entry-level sedan segment.

Looks: Honda does a mighty good job!

To start with, most sedans that are extruded out of their existing hatchback versions turn to be rather ugly, not only in design but in proportion as well. Honda's done a mighty good job of growing a boot on the Brio hatchback to come up with the Amaze and that shows with the very first glance at the car.

While the front is still pretty much like the Brio as we know it, there are subtle changes that make the Amaze stand apart. The front grille gets a twin-slat treatment in chrome while the bumpers are differently designed too. The Brio's blackened air dam gets replaced with a body coloured treatment on the Amaze and it actually goes rather well to give the sedan a more sophisticated look.

Rear: Amaze does wonders in this department

But the true revelation comes when you look at the Amaze from the rear three-quarter perspective. While in most sedans that are designed after their hatchback versions you'll instantly see a disconnect between the car ahead of the C-pillar and the boot, the Amaze does wonders in this department.

Everything rear of the B-pillar has been reworked to make the C-pillar flow smoothly into the boot giving the Amaze a very integrated look.

Best looking sub-4 metre sedan?

The taillights strike resemblance to the Brio's units but have their own distinct identity as well. All in all, with enough creases to complement the wedge-shaped front, the Amaze could just be the best looking sub-4 metre sedan we've seen in India yet!

Shares its dashboard with the Brio

At first glance, you'll think that the Amaze shares its dashboard with the Brio and that's because it does. The layout is similar and the best part is that it is compact - which means that much more space freed for the occupants.

Quality of plastics good

The two tone treatment includes a top half in black and a bottom half including the seat upholstery and trims in beige and brown.

Quality of plastics and seat fabrics is good, but that Brio-borrowed dashboard does take a little getting used to thanks to its unconventionally asymmetric layout.

Space for occupants

If you've been in the Brio, you know that the way this platform has been packaged, it frees up a whole lot of space for its occupants. At the front, the compact dashboard layout not only gives a lot of physical legroom, but also gives a roomier feeling - heightened by the use of the two-tone treatment.

For the Amaze, Honda's designers extended the Brio's wheelbase by 50mm which clearly shows in the cavernous rear bench. We still have to measure the space when the car comes in for a complete roadtest, but visually it seems like it has almost as much as the current-generation Honda City - which is quite a lot to fit under 4 metres!

Comfortable rear bench

That said, while two adults will be extremely comfortable on the rear bench, a third occupant might cause fights for shoulder room, though it isn't too bad for short trips. The boot is pretty big too with about 400 litres of storage available - so you can stack in a weekend's worth of luggage quite easily!

Engines you can one choose from

Being under 4 metres in length the Amaze has engine options that match to take advantage of excise duty regulations for small cars. The Brio's 1.2 litre petrol unit gets carried over and puts out around 90PS and 109Nm. Considering the Amaze's lightweight construction, it should be good enough for peppy runs in the city while returning decent fuel efficiency as well. Honda claims a 0-100km/h time of a little over 13 seconds with the petrol powerplant.

The more interesting engine though is the 1.5 litre diesel engine - a first for Honda and on paper, a very impressive motor indeed. With 100PS and 208Nm on tap, the Amaze diesel will power up to 100km/h in about 12.5 seconds.

What's even more interesting is that the ARAI rated fuel efficiency stands at a staggering 25.8kmpl making the Amaze the most efficient car available in India.

26 km/litre mileage!

Honda is banking on the mileage crazy Indian customers to change its fortunes as the revolutionary i-DTEC technology-fired Amaze promises a 26-km run on every litre of diesel.

Currently, Tata Motors' Indigo eCS and the Chevy Beat hatchback share the coveted mantle of most fuel efficient compact cars as both deliver 25.4-km to a litre on diesel.

 Source;
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/auto/honda-amaze-10-features-will-change-the-sedan-segment-game/26-km/litre-mileage/slideshow/19320452.cms

More details on the soon to be launched Honda Amaze surfaces on the internet

Honda Amaze is the Japanese automaker’s rescue specialist in India simply because of two reasons.

The Brio based sedan measures under four metres and most importantly it is the very first diesel car in India from Honda. The lack of a diesel product has placed Honda in a very difficult situations and the company hopes that the Amaze comes in as a savior.

The 1.5 litre i-DTEC Earth Dreams diesel engine will make its debut in the Honda Amaze. The engine is a part of Honda’s newly developed family of high tech diesel engines.

As the Honda Amaze is inching closer to its launch date, Team-bhp.com reports that initial lot of cars, mostly the petrol models have already been shipped to the dealerships. Here are the few additional details that are reported by the website.

The Amaze has a ground clearance of 165 mm. The compact sedan gets a new top of the line variant called the VX. Equipment list include dual airbags, ABS with EBD, 8 spoke 14″ alloy wheels, height adjustable driver’s seat, rear defogger, ORVMs with turn indicators, rear seat arm rest with cup holders and an optional automatic transmission for the 1.2 litre petrol variant.

Team-bhp.com also reports that the VX trim will be introduced in the Brio hatchback as well, come April. The power output of the 1.5 diesel engine still remains as a suspense but the speculated figure lies somewhere between 80-90 bhp.

The Honda Amaze is positioned in a price band which includes cars of all types of body styles. We have the premium hatchbacks, compact sedans and even sub 4 metre SUVs in the particular segment. So the Amaze will have to take on rivals with different talents and abilities.


Source;
http://indianautosblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Honda-Amaze-Indian-teaser.jpg