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      Honda plans Brio based sub-four meter SUV for India, launch by 2017

      Aditya Chatterjee

      Aditya Chatterjee

      Honda Cars India Ltd. is thinking on the lines to develop a new model underpinning Brio platform. It has been learnt from close sources that Honda India is developing a compact SUV for domestic market. The unnamed sub-four meter SUV is expected to be launched in India by 2017, hence we could see it at the 2016 Auto Expo. The company recently launched its first MPV in India, Mobilio that has also been conceived on Brio platform, other vehicles from Honda that underpin this diverse platform include, Honda Amaze compact sedan and Brio hatchback. Honda seems to diversify its portfolio in India that primarily offered saloons of late. In current scenario, a sub-for meter SUV makes sense as Indian automotive industry has seen major shift in customers’ interest from small cars to competitively priced compact sedans and UVs in the past. Renault Duster was the first compact SUV launched in India trailed by several other vehicles in this segment. EcoSport is presently reigning in compact SUV segment; other new entrants that will soon be inducted in India include Volkswagen Taigun and Maruti XA-Alpha. To confine the price under affordable limit, Honda mulls intensive localization; hence a part of development of the SUV will be done at Honda India’s R&D center, while most of the development will be carried out in Japan. Speculations are rife that Honda India could price the SUV between Rs 6 lakh to Rs 9 lakh.

      Honda plans Brio based sub-four meter SUV for India, launch by 2017
      Honda plans Brio based sub-four meter SUV for India, launch by 2017
       

      Besides the compact SUV, Honda is also considering a small entry level hatchback specifically for emerging automotive markets like India, Indonesia and Africa. Honda plans to place it beneath Brio hatchback and is planning to price it aggressively below Rs 4 lakh. In domestic market the hatchback will rival the likes of Maruti Wagon R, Hyundai i10 and Chevrolet Beat.

      honda brio | brio | Honda