Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL), a completely owned subsidiary of Japanese multinational car maker Honda Motor Company, has tasted immense success with its mid size City saloon in the domestic market. However, lack of a diesel powered City model is hurting the sales recorded by the company to no end. The Honda City sedan has been regularly listed on the best selling sedan list in the domestic market, but the rapid emergence of other diesel powered products in the segment is denting its sales and popularity in the country. In all fairness, experts believe diesel City is what the company is missing the most in its Indian line-up.
At present, Honda City is offered with just petrol options that are powered with 1.5 litre i-VTEC engines. However, the rumour-mill is abuzz with gossip and speculations that the Japanese auto major is developing a 1.5 litre diesel motor, which could be integrated in the City. Top industry boffins believe that If Honda City is launched with a diesel engine under its hood, the sedan could totally overshadow other diesel contenders in the segment present in Indian passenger car market.
Honda Cars India has pitched its City mid size sedan in an intense face off against the likes of Hyundai Verna, Maruti Suzuki SX4, Volkswagen Vento, Fiat Linea, Skoda Rapid, Nissan Sunny and Renault Scala amongst others. Till date, City's mesmerising design language, state-of-the-art interior setting, extremely dependable engine and best-in-class fuel efficiency, are some of the reasons driving its sales in the domestic passenger car market. However, if Honda introduces a diesel City model, it will have an unbeatable product in a segment with which it has thrived in the country. The missing diesel engine is perhaps the only thing that is keeping Indian car buyers away from Honda's retail outlets. Another interesting point is that even without a diesel option, the Honda City continues to be the best selling product in its class, which renders a faint idea about what its diesel model can do in the country.
