Honda to launch Civic hybrid in India next year, small car to follow

24 October 2007

Honda is also planning to release a more affordable hybrid car by 2009, to boost sales among consumers who now find eco-friendly vehicles too expensive.

The hybid engines pioneered by Japanese automakers such as Honda, save fuel costs and have proven to be major hits at a time of soaring oil prices.

Honda also showed the CR-Z concept car, a lightweight sports model with a hybrid engine, at the Tokyo Motor Show.

"We started with premium cars and gradually expanded the portfolio. With the entry into the compact cars, we will further strengthen our position," Honda Motor Co CEO and president Takeo Fukui said on the sidelines of the Tokyo Motor Show.

Fukui said Honda could use India as an export hub for some select models if "it complemented with other global manufacturing places such as Thailand."

Honda Siel Car India (HSCI), the company''s joint venture with the Sriram group, is currently expanding capacity to one lakh units per year.