Honda's New Car And SUV Launch Plans Revealed
Things have lately been slow for Honda in India. The Japanese carmaker seems to have promising plans for a strong comeback. It is known to be working on an electric SUV, but will also have a strong focus on hybrids. Like many other manufacturers, Honda expects its hybrid porfolio to bridge the gap between Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and EV models. Let's take a deeper dive into Honda's launch plans...
Honda's Hybrid Game Plan
Representative image
According to a report by Autocar India, Honda will base its hybrid portfolio on a new multi-energy modular platform called PF2. This architecture will have extensive localisation gone into it.
The current City e:HEV hybrid sedan sold in India uses advanced tech, and is complex. It relies on imported components, and the same has resulted in premium pricing. This, in turn, affected its sales as well.
The PF2 platform will have a stronger focus on cost viability and is hoped to better align with the market dynamics here. The architecture will be able to accommodate ICE, EV and hybrid powertrains, and will thus be versatile. It will be used on small and medium-sized hybrid vehicles. Honda also has plans to export PF2-based vehicles to global markets. In the long run, this will help in making India a key production hub.
The publication further reports that PF2-based cars and SUVs could will have competitive pricing. They could sit in the range of Rs 15-30 lakh, ex-showroom. If so, these could see strong demand in India, and give Honda the comeback it dreams of.
Upcoming Honda Cars And SUVs: A Closer Look At These
Representative image
Honda has plans to launch five new models in India, by 2030. The planned lineup will include complete imports (CBUs) and CKD units. The leadership recently confirmed this in a one-on-one session with Cartoq.
Strengthening the hybrid portfolio in key markets is a part of Honda's broader global strategy. In the Indian context, the demand for hybrids is expected to rise as the CAFE norms kick in. The PF2-based hybrids could help the carmaker capitalize on this.
The first hybrid product to be based on the new PF2 platform will likely be a new three-row SUV, expected to be out by 2027. It will sit above the Elevate in Honda's India lineup, and will battle the likes of Mahindra XUV700 and the Tata Safari. The strong hybrid powertrain on this model could use the Elevate's 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine as its base.
The second launch could likely be the sixth-generation City. Underpinned by the PF2 platform, it could offer both petrol and strong hybrid powertrains. The new sedan could have a 2028 debut.
Another possible launch is that of a new sub-four meter SUV which will also be underpinned by the PF2. Honda will be able to price it competitively, due to heavy degrees of localisation that it comes with. Smart pricing would be critical as the sub-four SUV is a segment that is extremely price-sensitive.
Honda's EV Plans
Representative image
It was previously speculated that the first EV from Honda would likely be based on the Elevate SUV. In a recent interaction with Cartoq, the leadership confirmed that their first EV will be an all-new product and design.
We also learnt that it will be a mass-market electric SUV that will be more than four meters in length. When launched, it will compete with the likes of the Creta Electric. The EV will be manufactured locally and it seems safe to expect a competitive price tag. There is no clue about the battery configurations or platform details that are to be expected. The electric SUV will be out in 2026, and a second product could follow in 2029.