The Japanese car marque even has plans to launch an electric SUV in India by next year
Honda has some big plans for India as it prepares to launch an electric SUV and a super hybrid powertrain in the coming years. The Japanese auto giant currently sells the City strong hybrid. While its portfolio is not too diversified at the moment, it plans to change that. Next year, we will be able to experience its first electric SUV for our market. Thereafter, in 2027, it will bring a super hybrid mill. Note that Honda has been a pioneer when it comes to hybrid engines for a long time now.
Honda Future Plans
In an exclusive interview with Mr Kunal Behl, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL), it was mentioned that the Japanese carmaker is working on a super hybrid powertrain. It aims to bring it to India from its global portfolio by 2027. Apart from that, it has a couple of niche products in the pipeline as well. These include cars like the aforementioned EV, which it plans to bring here by next year, and some performance cars, which will be CBU units. Clearly, the brand is focusing on diversification in the face of stiff competition from rivals.
Globally, Honda offers the Super Hybrid powertrain with an engine and 3 electric motors (one at the front and two at the rear). Generally, such setups allow the electric motors to propel the car, while the ICE engine powers the battery. To bridge the gap between ICE cars and EVs, hybrid technology is often regarded as the best solution. It offers the benefits of electrification in the form of high mileage, high efficiency and low emissions, without the challenges of EVs like charging and range anxiety.
My View
Honda has been in our market with just 3 products for a while now. In fact, before the Elevate, it was only operating with the Amaze and City. Therefore, it is clearly in need of new vehicles to attract new-age car buyers. As the emission norms get stricter and the world is moving towards electrification, thinking of EVs and hybrids is a great strategy. Let us wait and see what kind of vehicles reach our shores from Honda in the coming years.
Also Read: New Honda City Sport Detailed on Tape – All Changes Shown
