Honda mulls producing Insight hybrid in India

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Mumbai, Oct 1: Japanese automobile major Honda Motor Company Ltd is looking at the possibility of producing its all new ‘Insight’ dedicated hybrid vehicle in India. Talking to FE in an exclusive interaction, Masahiro Takedagawa, president and CEO, Honda Siel Cars India Ltd, said, “We will be showcasing the all new Insight hybrid at the Paris Motor Show tomorrow (October 2). It is a challenging model...smaller in size yet a family hybrid model.”

Asked if the car will be coming to India, Takedagawa said, “As far as hybrid models of Honda are concerned, they are produced at the Honda’s plant in Japan and all we can do is import it. However, we will study possibilities of producing it in India.”

He further said that the company is hopeful of reduction in the import duty on alternative fuel technology vehicles from the current 104%. Presently, Honda has its Civic hybrid, the first hybrid car in India. The company has sold around 70 units of Honda Civic hybrid since its launch in June this year. The new Insight, a five-door, five-passenger compact hatchback is expected to be launched in the markets including Japan, Europe and North America in spring 2009. Honda is looking at annual global sales of 2,00,000 units.

Honda will be launching Jazz, its first hatchback in India by middle of next year. “Jazz will enjoy small car tax norms and it is giving 12% excise duty incentives,” he said. The car will be manufactured at the Greater Noida plant to start with and then from the new plant in Rajasthan.