Accord V6 to be launched next week

04 March 2009

New Delhi: Honda Siel Cars India, the Indian subsidiary of Japanese carmaker, Honda Motor Co., plans to launch an advanced version of its premium sedan 'Accord V6' in the Indian market next week. The car may be priced at around Rs25 lakh.

 Honda Siel Cars India president and CEO Masahiro Takedahawa said, "We are ready with our new Accord V6 and it will be launched by next week."

The new Accord V6 would come with a 3.5-litre engine, generating 280 brake horse power (bhp), against the current Accord, which comes with a 2.4-litre engine generating 180 bhp with a price starting at Rs16.72 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The company has already announced plans to launch its premium hatchback 'Jazz' in the country by mid-2009. The car would have a 1.2 litre engine, specifically meant for Indian regulations to avail 12.5 per cent tax rebate.

The economic slowdown in the country has led the company to put on hold the opening of its second manufacturing facility in Tapukara in the Alwar district of Rajasthan and also cut production by over 45 per cent from the beginning of the year. The company has reduced the production of its Greater Noida plant from 400 cars to 200 cars a day on a single shift basis.

Takedagawa said the Indian market was witnessing a downturn and the company would commission the Rajasthan plant once market conditions improve. As of now, it has been put off indefinitely.