The first-gen Amaze was introduced in 2013, and the second-gen model was launched in 2018.New Delhi: Honda Cars India has planned to bring three new products by FY 2026-27. This will include electric and hybrid powertrains, with one of them being an electric SUV.
“India is a promising market. Our future line-up will have hybrids and pure electrics. We will introduce an EV based on the Elevate SUV by FY27,” Takuya Tsumura, President and CEO, Honda Cars India, told ETAuto.
Until then, the Japanese automaker will bank on the three products in its India portfolio – City sedan, Amaze sedan, and Elevate SUV.
Honda’s move is in line with growing its SUV portfolio, a segment which clocks over 50% of the passenger vehicle market in the country. With just one model in the category, introduced as recently as last year, the company has been struggling to grow its sales.
It is also aimed at complying to the third phase of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE-III) norms proposed for the country from 2027 onwards. These norms impose a limit on carmakers’ entire fleet and set a limit on the total amount of carbon dioxide produced by its vehicles in a year.
In the transition from ICE to EVs, all the carmakers are offering multiple powertrain options including CNG, hybrid, EVs and flex-fuel. However, unlike most other carmakers, Tsumura said the company has "no plans to drive in CNG models in the near-term".
Until then, the Japanese automaker will bank on the three products in its India portfolio – City sedan, Amaze sedan, and Elevate SUV.3rd-gen Amaze
On Wednesday, Honda Cars India launched the third-generation of the Amaze compact sedan, with prices starting from INR 7.99 lakh and going up to INR 10.89 lakh (ex-showroom).
The first-gen Amaze was introduced in 2013, and the second-gen model was launched in 2018.
Kunal Behl, Vice President- Marketing and Sales, Honda Cars India said the company is targeting hatchback customers with the new model. He is expecting a 40% growth in sales for the new Amaze, when compared to the outgoing model.
“Hatchbacks, entry-level sedan and entry SUVs fall in the same price bracket. And there are over 38 models in this category. Now, if you look at the 5-year CAGR, the hatchback segment has dropped by 4% to 5% while the sedan segment is almost up by 2%. So this gives us confidence that there is a natural upgrade that will happen from hatchback to sedan segment,” he said.
The new Amaze will compete with the likes of recently introduced Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Hyundai Aura.
