Honda Cars India has registered a whopping loss of Rs. 604 crore in last calendar year. Reportedly, the loss figures are three times of which the auto maker reported in 2011. Industry experts believe that the sales of Honda India were basically suffered because of unavailability of a diesel model in its portfolio. According to sources, the issues of car maker multiplied because of increase in the petrol prices, which forced several buyers to postpone their decision of buying a new petrol vehicle.
Experts’ analysis states that the number of petrol car buyers has fallen drastically against the individuals who opted for a diesel model in 2012. These changes not just affected the sales of Honda Cars India, but also impacted hard on the figurers of Ford India and Toyota India.
However, industry experts believe that the situation will be soon changed as Honda is planning to roll out diesel models and the government is also looking ahead to reduce the gap between the prices of petrol and diesel. Coming at the auto maker’s front, Honda is soon expected to launch the Amaze sedan with first ever diesel engine in the Indian auto industry. Based on the Brio platform, the company has pinned high hopes with its upcoming model, which is expected to sparkle at the Indian showrooms somewhere in April 2013. The model is anticipated to deliver a stiff competition to Hyundai Verna, Maruti Suzuki SX4, Volkswagen Vento and Skoda Rapid. It must be noted that Honda India has yet not revealed the technical specifications and other key features of the model.
Honda is also planning the launch of a refreshed model of CR-V, which was unable to perform well in the Indian auto market earlier. Industry experts believe that the model will mark its presence at the Indian showrooms somewhere in February 2013.
On the other hand, the central government is also planning to deregulate the diesel prices, in order to reduce the bill of fuel subsidy and gap between the diesel and petrol prices. The move will surely stabilise the sales of petrol and diesel cars, which are currently biased. With new launches and deregulation in the diesel prices, Honda India is sure to witness some good times in the Indian auto market.
