The Indian automobile industry would be hoping for a change of fortunes in 2014. After the kind of adversities car makers have gone through in 2013, improvement in circumstances is certainly required. Although most brands have performed poorly this year, there have been a few exceptions, one of which is Honda. The Japanese auto maker recently released its sales reports for the month of November, which showed superb growth in sales. This company has been pretty aggressive in 2013 as far as India is concerned, taking measured risk to eventually emerge as a winner. Due to the success of Amaze and Honda's line-up of upcoming cars, experts feel that it will continue to perform well.
Indian subsidiary of the Tokyo-based firm is going to kick start 2014 in pretty big fashion by launching next-generation Honda City, which was unveiled in November. Many experts believe that this car is going to be a game changer in its segment, becoming a best seller. Although this model has been really successful, its sales have gone down in the recent past due to strong competition and lack of a diesel variant. Now, the firm is seeking to make changes to this as it will be introducing Honda City with a diesel version. The Japanese car maker has redesigned this sedan to make it more powerful, feature-packed and attractive. Diesel version of new City is going to run on the 1.5-litre i-DTEC engine, which also powers Amaze compact sedan. According to sources, however, Honda has fine-tuned the engine to enhance the output. This model is going to compete with Hyundai Verna, which is currently the best seller in mid-sized sedan segment.
Another launch that might take place in 2014 is that of Honda Mobilio, the Brio-based Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV). There has been a rise in demand for utility vehicles in the country, which can be seen by the success of cars like Ford EcoSport, Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano. However, Mobilio, a seven-seater, is going to rival the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, one of the best selling models of its manufacturer. Trade analysts believe that if the pricing strategy of Honda is in place, Mobilio could be a top performer in its segment. Based on the much-acclaimed Brio platform, this car will come in both petrol and diesel engine options. Apart from these two, sources claim that Honda would be looking to launch the new version of Jazz in India.
To put things in a nutshell, Honda, at present, is going pretty strong in the Indian market. By launching the Amaze, its first diesel car, the brand has sent out a strong message to rivals, who have been battling slow demand and economic crisis. Considering the upcoming launches, experts believe Honda has an excellent chance of repeating its success. However, it is also being said that the car maker needs to be pretty aggressive in its stance as other companies would be looking to make a comeback in India.
