New Facelifted 2011 Honda Accord To Be Launched In India Soon

Honda as we all know is one brand which every Indian customer looks up to when he/she considers buying a luxurious sedan or a high end SUV and has gathered a lot of appreciation with highly acclaimed products like the Honda City, Honda Accord and the Honda CR-V.

Its been a while since the brand launched these cars in the Indian market and fortunately brought the face lifted models of the City and the CR-V pretty soon and also launched a completely new 7th generation Accord. But after the new accord in 2008 a long time has passed since the brand made any changes to it, and now after 3 years the all new face-lifted 2011 Honda Accord is all set to hit the market.

Erik Berkman, vice president of Corporate Planning and Logistics for American Honda Motor Co. said,”For 2011, the Honda Accord evolves again with sharpened styling inside and out, fuel economy gains and a broader application of popular features. The Honda Accord is designed to deliver a consistently rewarding ownership experience in the areas that matter most to sedan and coupe drivers.”

The EPA fuel economy of the vehicles has been drastically increased by 2 MPG in the city and 3 MPG ion the highway owing to the changes made to vehicle aerodynamics, engine friction and transmission gear ratios.

The new redesigned alloys give a better appearance and its radius will now fall between 16” – 17” inches. The car looks bolder now and makes its presence more renowned in the crowd and the credit solely goes to the upscale design with new 3 step front grille, front bumper and rear deck lid and features minor changes on the interior as well.

The car will go on sale in the US by 2010 August and we hope that Honda brings it to India soon.

It's a long wait for key car models this festive season

A number of cars such as Maruti’s Dzire and Ritz, Honda’s City, Hyundai’s i20 and Toyota’s Fortuner SUV have been wiped off shelves in past 10 days and are not available for immediate delivery as demand frenzy during the ongoing festival season has led to stock out situation for car dealers.

Carmakers are now being forced to ramp up production to meet demand. For instance, Maruti has re-jigged its operations to produce more of its newer cars such as Ritz, Estilo, Swift and DZire, while Honda has hiked production of its flagship sedan City and General Motors is operating its factory on all seven days to meet the market demand for small car Spark, utility vehicle Tavera and Aveo sedan even though Sunday is weekly off for the company. The festive season has also put other cars such as Hyundai’s I10 and Toyota’s Innova besides Mahindra and Mahindra’s Xylo out of dealer stock.

Auto industry executives say that the dual-combination of the prevailing festival mood and the slew of new car launches in recent past has contributed to the high sales in the past two weeks. “The interest rates, which are at the lowest level since the past two years is also pushing up volumes,” said Shashank Srivastava chief general manager (marketing) at Maruti. Maruti is slated to end up with despatches of over 5,500 Ritz cars in September as against the monthly average of 4500-5000, it was delivering to dealers every month.

Besides sudden jump in demand there is also a supply lag for these cars. Companies usually ramp up production of new cars over a period depending on demand. Since there has been a sudden jump in demand during the festive period companies were not prepared to churn out the required number of these models.

Unlike older more established products such as Maruti’s Alto or Wagon R, where discounts and freebies up to 15% of the value of the car are given the newer models have much lower discounts. The demand rush during the auspicious Navratara and Dusshera festivals have resulted in the huge waiting period of up to three months on such cars — some of which are leaders in their respective segment.

“There has been much more sales than we had expected. Most of our cars like Tavera, Spark LPG, Aveo sedan have wiped off from the showrooms and are enjoy a waiting of four to six-weeks,” said General Motors vice-president (marketing & sales) Ankush Arora said.

Domestic car market is expected to scale new sales graph for the fiscal in September on the back of this huge demand. This would help the industry surpass the mark of 1.2 lakh cars that were sold in August in India.

Besides general demand, return of easy financing could also have helped spur demand. “We are anticipating a double digit growth in sales over the last year in September with market leaders like Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai their highest sales in the domestic market,” HDFC Bank auto loan head Ashok Khanna said. Earlier, most private sector financiers had tightened their auto loan portfolio which had also led to slow growth in demand.

Honda to launch Jazz in June at Rs 5.5 lakh onwards

After a decade long operations in India, the largest player in the mid-size cars, Honda Siel Cars (HSCI) is entering the high volume hatchback category with its small car Jazz, a top company executive said. The car will have a new 1.2 litre engine developed exclusively for the Indian market, carrying highest fuel efficiency in its segment.



Jazz also called Fit in certain markets, is the only small car in Honda's global portfolio. To be launched in India in the month of June, Jazz is likely to be the most expensive petrol hatchback in the market with an expected base price of Rs 5.5 lakh. It will be pitted against Skoda's Fabia, Tata Motors' Indigo, Ford Fusion and Hyundai's Accent besides Ritz the upcoming product from Maruti's stable.

Speaking to ET, HSCI managing director & CEO Masahiro Takedagawa said, "Jazz will have all the features found in a premium large car. Our survey shows that 80% hatchback customers feel that these cars lack legroom and headroom space which we have addressed in Jazz."

He added, "We have designed a special engine for India to optimise fuel efficiency and power, which delayed the launch by one year. Jazz also comes strapped with a toughened suspension to meet stiff roads conditions in India."



The car is based on Honda's City platform and will have a high 70% localisation. Jazz is likely to endorse Honda pioneered V-Tec technology for high fuel efficiency, which is already used in the Honda City engine. Jazz will also qualify for the concessional 8% excise duty under government's small car definition.

"We will try to pass the benefit of lower excise duty on Jazz but 30% of its components are imported and the weak rupee may lead to a higher price," Mr Takedagawa said. He however added that he company is not positioning Jazz as a volume generator and its best-selling sedan City will remain the largest car for Honda in India.

Jazz will have customisation option for navigation system, in-car entertainment, sporty tyres and other gizmos at the dealer level. It will be launched with manual transmission and will be studded with an automatic transmission later.

According to sources in the automobile market, Honda could also launch a diesel variant of Jazz in the next few years. The company is targeting smaller cities and towns for the new car and plans to add 10 more dealerships in the next one year to the current tally of 106 across the country.

Honda Jazz launch ontrack, Accord 3.5 V6 slated for next month roll out

Honda Motors India has reaffirmed its commitment to launch its latest small car Jazz in June as per prior schedule, even though it will go slow on its production. The Jazz is powered by a specially developed 1.2-litre engine crafted keeping in interest of the Indian customer. It will share its platform with the Honda City.

Furthermore, it is gearing up to roll out a 3.5-litre V6-engined luxury sedan-Accord, by next month. The i-VTEC-powered 6-cylinder car, which is likely to be retailed at around Rs. 19-21 lakh (ex-showroom India), will be pitted against Toyota Camry. The company has, however, refused to share any details of the product.

Honda Motors India Ltd president and chief executive officer Masahiro Takedagawa revealed to the media that the trial production of the Jazz had already started. Talking about the upcoming Accord he said that the company aims to occupy the top spot in the luxury car segment as confirmed and its entire team is working towards attaining leadership in the premium segment. He concluded by saying that HSCI has already become the number one player in the D-segment, with the tremendous response received by both its D-segment offerings - Accord 2.4L and CR-V - launched last year. He further added that Honda is confident that the Honda Accord V6, which promises to set new standards in the segment by delivering an unmatched driving experience, will only strengthen its lead further.

Third generation model of Honda City launched

Honda Siel Cars India, leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, today launched its all-new third generation Honda City with a completely new design, new engine, spacious cabin and equipped with various active and passive safety features.



The all new Honda City - which has been designed for the Indian market - was unveiled by Takeo Fukui, president and CEO, Honda Motor Company, Japan.

The all-new City’s unique ‘Arrow Shot Form’ design gives it a powerful and imposing presence. Seen from the front, the streamlined grill and sharp headlights deliver a distinctive road presence. With the City’s shortened rear end, the aerodynamic looking rear combination lights enhance its sporty looking tail design. The new City offers 15 inch wheel base and the design contribute to making the Arrow-shot form even more impressive.

The new Honda City is longer, wider and sturdier. It measures 4420 mm in length (5 mm longer than its predecessor if license plate is excluded) and 1695 mm in width (5 mm wider). While maintaining the same ground clearance and same head clearance, the height has been lowered by 15 mm to 1480 mm, delivering a sleeker and sturdier body shape which gives the City a refined driving position. With its wheelbase extended by an additional 100 mm, efficient use of space has been made for both driver and occupants to create a spacious cabin interior. The all-new City has a practical and spacious trunk offering a one class above capacity of 506 liters.

The interiors of the car look very attractive with the advanced looking meter design and soothing colour contrasts of the new City promises its consumers with a stylish, spacious and comfortable lounge.

The City comes equipped with a 1.5L, 4 cylinder new generation i-VTEC engine that delivers class leading power of 118PS while providing good fuel economy similar to the City ZX. In line with the Honda’s policy of reducing impact on the environment the engine is E10-compliant and has Euro IV emission levels. The higher body rigidity with improved MacPherson strut in front and H Type torso beam suspension in the rear offers solid road handling and supple ride feeling.



According to the company, the 3rd generation Honda City will be the only car in its segment to be equipped with 5 speed automatic transmission with a ‘paddle shift’ option to allow the driver to enjoy a manual transmission-like driving feel.

The new Honda City also comes fully loaded with various active and passive safety features including ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) with Brake Assist (BA), Dual SRS airbags, pre-tensioner seat belts and G-CON (G-Force Control Technology) body with a crush-proof survival zone. The front body structure of the new Honda City ensures advanced pedestrian safety features.

The all new City features an Advanced Integrated Audio System - which is the world’s first car audio exclusive to digital media. This advanced Audio system offers consumers the liberty to integrate with any of the newer technologies like iPOD, MP3player, USB Memory, cell phone with MP3 Player. The system promises a high quality sound with advanced functionalities. The audio system comes with steering mounted controls & separate remote control.

The all new Honda City has two grades 1.5E (MT) and 1.5S (MT and AT) and is available in six colours - Habenero Red Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, Bold Beige Metallic, Tafetta White and Crystal Black Pearl. The 1.5E MT comes with Grayish Beige interior colour while 1.5S (MT & AT) has Beige interiors.

The new Honda City, priced between Rs 7.7 lakh and Rs 8.9 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), comes with a 2+2 year warranty and 24-hr roadside assistance as standard value for all City buyers.

Bookings for the all new City will start immediately at all Honda dealers nationwide, however deliveries will begin from November 2008, the company said.

Honda Seeks to Boost Auto Sales in India

Honda Motor Co. President Takeo Fukui unveiled a new version of the City, Honda's best-selling compact sedan in India, aiming to boost sales in this key emerging market as concern grows of a global slowdown in the auto industry.

With sales in the U.S., the world's largest market, falling to their lowest levels in years, auto makers have looked to hot markets like India and China to help pick up the slack.

But now these other auto markets are also showing signs of weakness. In India, auto sales fell in August from a year earlier, marking the second monthly fall in a row. August sales in China also fell from a year earlier, marking the first decline in auto sales there in two years.

"Even in India, they are not immune to the cyclical nature of the economy," says Tatsuo Yoshida, an analyst for UBS Securities in Tokyo. "Investors have been very nervous about near-term prospects of the Indian automobile market."

The Honda president said he thinks India's slowdown is temporary. "It's sure to bounce back in the next few months," Mr. Fukui said.

Meant to draw buyers back into dealer showrooms during the coming festival months in India, Honda's new City model is part of a wave of vehicle launches by car makers into the country's increasingly crowded auto market.

In 2007, the current City model was Honda's biggest seller, accounting for 37,000 of its total sales of 60,000 vehicles. In the first eight months of this year, sales of the current City were up 12% from a year earlier. The Japanese auto maker is expecting the new model to help lift Honda's India sales above those of last year. Honda's goal for 2008 is to sell 80,000 vehicles in India, though it may not reach that because of the slowdown.

Mr. Fukui, who describes the City as "roomy," said it is Honda's "most significant model" in the Indian market. Though it would be considered a compact, entry-level vehicle in developed markets, the City is viewed as a premium vehicle by business executives here. The new model will cost about 800,000 rupees, or close to $17,500, making it Honda's least expensive vehicle in the Indian market but still beyond the reach of most car buyers.

Although Honda dominates the motorcycle market in India, the Japanese company doesn't offer any models in India's small-auto segment, which makes up the vast majority of car sales.

The new City was also launched this month in Thailand, one of 39 countries where the model has been sold since the first-generation City was launched in 1996.

Redesigned Honda City for India

The all-new Honda City will be here soon. The City has absolutely dominated the mid-size car market, but has been criticized in some quarters for losing the fun-to-drive character that made it so popular when it debuted in India. With the new car, Honda is certain it will win back buyers who choose a car with their hearts and their heads.

The high seating and tall stance will be replaced by a sleeker silhouette, although not as low as that of its older sibling, the Civic.

Honda's range of twin-spark i-DSi engines may not make it under the hood of the new car. Instead, Honda's renowned VTEC power plants are expected to be standard across the model line. Whether the City will continue to have a continuously variable transmission option isn't clear, as C-segment buyers haven't shown a preference for it in the past.

Price gap between SX4 and Honda City has narrowed

Maruti Suzuki officials refused to comment on whether they would bring down the price or offer discounts on the SX4. “The price gap was not much in any case and the SX4 has gained popularity because of its strength as a good product,” commented a Maruti official who did not wish to be identified.

The two Japanese companies have been locked in a tough battle to increase their share of the fast- growing mid- segment of the Indian car market. Ford Fiesta and Hyundai’s Verna have also been notching up strong growth in this category even as Maruti Suzuki launched the Dzire sedan recently in order to add to the competition.

The mid- size segment of the Indian car market registered an overall growth of 14.61 per cent for the financial year ended March, 31 2008 at 2,25,719 units, up from 1,96,942 units in 2006- 07. According to industry body Society of India Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Maruti Suzuki emerged the leader in the segment during 2007- 08 with a market share of 21.85 per cent, a huge jump from the fourth spot that it held in 2006- 07 with a market share of 15.08 per cent. The company sold 49,335 units in 2007- 08, compared to 29,697 units in 2006- 07 to clock a growth of 66.13 per cent.

Maruti succeeded in pushing the once undisputed market leader Honda to the second slot reducing its market share to 17.95 per cent for the financial year ended March 31, 2008 from 20.55 per cent during financial year 2006- 07.

Honda City escapes tax hike by whisker

HONDA City has escaped, by the proverbial whisker, from the increase in central sales tax announced by the government on Friday. As a result the model appears to have gained vis- à- vis its arch rival Maruti Suzuki’s SX4.

Honda City has a1,497cc engine, which keeps the sedan out of the ambit of the central sales tax hike of Rs 15,000, which has been imposed on Maruti Suzuki’s SX4 and other mid- size competitors such as Hyundai’s Verna and Ford Fiesta as the engine capacities of these models are in excess of 1,500cc.

Maruti Suzuki, which is India’s largest car manufacturer, had deliberately priced its Sx4 model below the popular Honda City in order to eat into its market share and succeeded with its pricing policy. It had attracted buyers as SX4 was bigger and yet cheaper than Honda City. However, since it has an engine capacity of 1,586cc the price gap between the two cars has now been narrowed down by Rs 15,000. It now remains to be seen whether Maruti comes up with a discount offer to keep its edge on pricing.

The price of the low- end Honda City EXi is Rs 6,77,000 while the Honda City GXi model has been priced at Rs 7,31,000. In comparison, Maruti Suzuki’s SX4 VXI carried a price tag of Rs 6,38,000 while the higher- end SX4 ZXi was priced at Rs 7,09,000 until Friday.

The price difference between SX4 and Honda City on these two models worked out to Rs 39,000 and Rs 22,000, respectively. Consequent to the Rs 15,000 hike in central sales tax the price gap has been scaled down to Rs 24,000 and Rs 7,000, respectively.