Honda may not be that strong a force in India which it once was around two decades ago, but the company is still a benchmark when it comes to Japanese automobile technology. With its strong reputation and research & development (R&D) still in play, Honda will embark on a new path of development for its future passenger vehicles (PVs).
According to recent media reports, the Japanese auto major is working on a new global platform for its small- and medium-car portfolio. Moreover, Honda plans to make India the global production base for the new platform for domestic as well as global markets.
Codenamed PF2, this all-new modular architecture will underpin future Honda models including combustion engine and EVs catering to different body styles including SUV and sedan. The report further mentions that Honda is not yet convinced about the feasibility of a dedicated skateboard EV platform due to waning demand for EVs in several international markets.
Honda is committed to use internal combustion engines (ICE) way beyond 2030, and like its Japanese counterpart Toyota, Honda is leaning towards a multi-powertrain strategy which also includes fuel cells. Honda launched the Elevate in September last year which was later launched as the WR-V in Japan earlier this year.
From September 2023 to March 2024, Honda has sold over 33,600 units in India however in the last six months, sales have declined to 16,482 units. For reference, segment leader Hyundai Creta clocked 1 million unit sales in the same period ever since the facelifted model was launched in January this year. Therefore, Elevate’s total volume for 6 months nearly adds up to Creta’s average monthly volume.
New-gen Honda City in 2028
The PF2 platform will form the underpinnings for the new sixth-gen Honda City which is expected to make its debut by 2028. Like the current-gen model, the sixth-gen Honda City will come in both naturally aspirated petrol and strong hybrid powertrain options. The report says that the new-gen City will get an exterior makeover that will make it look radically different from the current model. Production of the new City is expected to start in May 2028.
All-new Honda 7-seater SUV in 2027
However, prior to the new-gen City, Honda will launch an all-new 7-seat SUV which will sit on the PF2 platform. This SUV will be slotted above the Elevate and hence market inputs from India are being considered while developing this model. That said, development of this 7-seater SUV is being led by Honda’s Japan and Thailand R&D centres. When launched in India, it will take on the likes of Mahindra XUV700, MG Hector Plus, Tata Safari and Hyundai Alcazar.
Sub-compact SUV in 2029
While details of this are still fragmented, as per the report, industry sources have also confirmed that Honda is planning a sub-compact SUV on the PF2 platform, which could hit showrooms in the first half of 2029. The report further claims that the initial plan was to develop a sub-4 metre SUV based on the Brio platform. However, with export being a string factor, Honda has seemingly decided to opt for a heavily-localised PF2 platform to strike a right balance between quality and economy.
Source: Autocar India