Honda Cars : Honda plans 3-4 diesel models in 2-3 years | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Not for North America....

By Yuga Chaudhari
  
Honda Cars India plans to roll out 3-4 diesel models in the country over the next 2-3 years, Hironori Kanayama (pictured), itspresident and CEO, said on Thursday.

To start with, the company will launch an entry-level sedan based on the Brio platform next fiscal.
It is also studying options in new segments like utility vehicles and compact sports utility vehicles, where it does not have a presence at present.

To be sure, Honda has been missing a large part of the action because it only has petrol vehicles in a market where demand for diesel vehicles has rocketed in recent years because of the price difference between the two fuels.

The new range of products could help it catch up with competition.

Honda said it has started work on manufacturing diesel engines in India at its Tapukara plant in Rajasthan, though it did not share details on capacity and investment.

“We cannot tell you the exact product plan, but we are very very ambitious,” said Kanayama. “We are still working on the sequence of which model and the timing of the launch for the same.”

Honda could consider getting products from its existing global line-up or develop an India-specific product like Brio.

The company said it will introduce the diesel option in the next generation of new models and the next generation of the existing models.

Honda Siel Cars sold 54,427 units in 2011-12, down 8.46% compared with the previous fiscal.

“The future models in diesel will bring us to the right position,” said Kanayama.

Meanwhile, the company is also ramping up exports from India. As against a total of 1,028 units exported in the last 14 years, it plansto ship 1,600 units of its small car Brio by the end of this year to South Africa and other Asian countries.

Source;
http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_honda-plans-3-4-diesel-models-in-2-3-years_1756208

Honda Cars : Honda Brio diesel caught testing yet again | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

This is not for the North American market....

Honda unveiled a new mass market 1.6-litre diesel i-DTEC EarthDreams engine at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, and it was very clear that diesel powered Honda cars won’t take too long to reach Indian market. Also, Honda had confirmed that they will launch the Brio diesel by Diwali this year and since then lot of test lues have been spotted around their plant near Delhi, not looking very different but with distinctive diesel clatter.

This time our friends at Team-BHP caught the test mule, who report about the eminent diesel noise from the car. They also suggest that this tiny diesel is also sprightly, as the driver tried to get away when followed. So, the Brio diesel will now get even smaller engine based of the 1.6-litre EarthDream, just that exact details are yet to be know. Honda will need a engine smaller than 1.5-litre so that they will be eligible for the subsidy. Plus the engine will need to have sufficient power, as it will also power the Jazz later, just like the 1.2-litre petrol doing the duty.]

Honda is entering diesel market in India with their smallest car and is clearing looking at the number game. The rumours suggest that the City will be the next Honda model to get a diesel – which might get bigger displacement mill, probably same as the one unveiled at Geneva. The last among mass production models will be the Jazz diesel.

The Honda City is the highest selling petrol sedan in its segment; even the Brio san diesel is doing quite well in the entry-level hatchback segment. Honda is known for refinement and reliability in India and is one of the most respected brands in mass market. Addition of diesel to their range will certainly increase their numbers and is going to be a threat to all their competitors.

Source;
http://www.oncars.in/Car-News-Detail/Honda-Brio-diesel-caught-testing-yet-again/2604

Honda Cars : A possible roadmap for Honda’s diesel engined car foray in India emerges | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Just yesterday, we brought you buzz about the Honda Brio diesel being tested in India. While official confirmation of the same might never arrive due to Honda being fearful of losing sales of petrol engined Brio models, more such spottings in the coming months could reaffirm the presence of a diesel engined model in the Japanese car brand’s scheme of things. Talking of which, Honda definitely has big plans for diesel engined car models in the future. Not for nothing has the automaker put a bunch of ex-F1 engineers on the job to come up with a range of new generation turbo diesel engines to power future car models.

Coming to the possible roadmap for Honda’s diesel engined cars to be launched in India, a news report carried by the EconomicTimes suggests that the Brio might indeed be the first Honda car model in India to be outfitted with a diesel engine. The City sedan is another car that could see a diesel engine under the hood. Once a best seller in the C-segment sedan space, the lack of a diesel engined variant has seen the model slowly losing market share to rivals like Hyundai, Volkswagen and Nissan. So, a diesel engine is very much needed to resurrect the Honda City’s stature as a top selling car in its class.

The story goes on to assert that the Brio diesel will debut by the middle of 2013, which is just a year away. A 1.2 Liter, three cylinder version and a 1.5 Liter, four potter turbo diesel could be in the works. The Jazz could be the other car that could get a diesel engine, with a likely launch at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo. The brand already has diesel engines ready to be deployed in its other cars such as the Civic, the Accord and the CR-V crossover. In fact, Honda sells diesel versions of all the three aforementioned cars in the European market, which is extremely diesel friendly.

Likewise, Honda indeed needs diesel cars in its portfolio if the brand wants to remain relevant in India, as the cost difference between petrol and diesel has further widened to an unprecedented high with the latest hike in petrol prices, days ago. Honda currently has no diesel engined cars in its India portfolio and the new range of turbo diesel engines are seen as a saviour for the brand, which has clearly lost its way,amidst plummeting sales over the past couple of years. Honda for its part continues to officially deny that it is planning to launch diesel engined cars in 2013.

Source;

http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/cars/a-possible-roadmap-for-hondas-diesel-engined-car-foray-in-india-emerges-59467/#more-59467

Honda Cars : So, Honda actually begins testing a Brio Diesel in India? | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

The Japanese automakers are known for their secrecy. Oh, and they even go to great lengths to put us off their new product trails by some imaginative word play. Today, we have what could be a big move from Honda, of that of a diesel engined Brio. A Team-Bhpian has reportedly spotted a Honda Brio diesel on the testing rounds in Gurgaon. The giveaways, according to the spotter was black smoke under acceleration and distinct diesel clatter, both trademark signs of a diesel engine. The car was also debadged, giving no hint as to what was nestling under the hood.

2013 Honda Brio Diesel Hatchback Spyshot?

If indeed Honda has begun testing the diesel version of the Brio, it only augurs well for the embattled Japanese car brand, whose sales have been in the doldrums for quite a while in the Indian car market, given the petrol-only car models it has in its portfolio. Interestingly, the spotting comes at a time when petrol prices are at record highs in the country, with the prices having risen by the highest ever, in the history of India, when the Indian government, effected  price hike of INR 7.5 on every liter of petrol. So, petrol car sales could further dip with car buyers opting for the more frugal and economical diesel engined options.

Honda has clearly emphasized that it will not be launching a diesel variant of any of its cars in 2012. So, it could be 2013 and beyond when the likes of the Brio, Jazz and the City receive diesel engines. Honda, ushering in diesel engines on its cars is a move that is vital for the brand to survive and thrive in India, which has seen a paradigm shift in car buying patterns, favoring diesel cars, in recent years. Honda, thus far has been left behind in the diesel engine race, but with the spotting of the Brio Diesel, all that could change, and change very soon.

Honda has been developing a range of diesel engines to power its models such as the Jazz, Brio and the City. However, it comes as somewhat as a surprise that the brand has already begun testing one of its new generation diesel engines on the Brio. The brand showcased its latest generation 1.6 Liter i-DTEC turbo diesel engines meant for the Honda Civic sedan, quite recently. This engine, based on Honda’s EarthDreams technology, promises the best in class torque and fuel economy with the least tail pipe emissions. The rest of Honda’s diesel engine range can also be expected to carry on the “EarthDreams” philosophy.

Source;

http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/cars/so-honda-actually-begins-testing-a-brio-diesel-in-india-59422/

Honda Cars : Shrawan Raja of Indian Auto Blog Updates Honda's Diesel Situation | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

-Thanks for the tip Shrawan!

Sources have told IndianAutosBlog.com that Honda is working on a 1.2-liter, four-cylinder diesel engine that produces between 70-80bhp for application on its two mini cars Brio and Jazz.

The 1.2L engine is said to be the smallest member of the ‘EarthDreams’ brand and is likely to be ready next year. Honda could have specifically developed this engine for the Indian market which is predominantly a diesel car country. Due to its low displacement, fuel economy is expected to reach close to 25kmpl in the ARAI tests.

Honda’s future programs include the successor to the Honda Jazz, shown back in late 2007, and a minimum of one additional variant on the Brio platform. The Brio platform could be used to construct a sedan featuring different body panels and design. The smaller engine, at least on paper, is perfectly matched to these compact cars. The two projects could be in the different stages of their development now and reach the market in the next two-three years.

Honda has not commented on the development of the smaller diesel engine. Honda officials have told some media channels in the recent past that a diesel engine is under development but they are yet to identify the cars on which it shall be used.

Source;
http://indianautosblog.com/2012/03/honda-1-2l-diesel-engine-brio-jazz-2013

Honda Cars : Honda goes the diesel route | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

This car and the diesel are not slated for North America....
by Kushan Mitra
There was an interesting news item in The Economic Times this morning which talked about Japanese carmaker Honda being in the advanced stages of developing a diesel motor. The carmaker recently forecast a massive drop in profits expected for the fiscal year ending March 2012 thanks to a rising yen and massive production issues caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the recent floods in Thailand. These caused Honda several headaches in India over the past year, production for their new small car the Brio had to halt a few weeks after the vehicle's launch because of a lack of parts coming from Thailand.

But Honda's fortunes in India in 2011 have not only been impacted of a lack of parts from Thailand. Honda's premium products had a significant price premium on their rivals for many years. But existing rivals, particularly Hyundai, have dramatically improved both drivability and looks in the new Verna. The entry of new rivals such as Volkswagen, particularly the new Vento, have hammered the best-selling City sedan.

How bad are things for Honda? During April to December 2011, Honda Siel cars India (HSCI) sales fell to 27,939 units from 43,838 units in the same period last year. Even if natural disasters elsewhere can explain a part of the 36 per cent decline, it cannot explain all of it. Look at the City, which for years on end was the best performing car in its class, it has been outsold 3:2 by the Hyundai Verna, despite the Korean car going through a generation change earlier in 2011. The Volkswagen Vento has also just about outsold the City, and maybe if Honda did not face supply-side issues, it would not have been pushed down to P3 in its segment.

And a lot of the sales of the City and the compact Jazz have come through generous price-cuts. The City which saw prices for the entry-level model cut twice this year, first by Rs 66,000 and then by another Rs 50,000 when a mid-generation facelift was recently launched. This has played havoc with the City's residual value, previously one of the best in the industry. The competition has not just eaten into Honda sales they have also made the Japanese carmaker pretty much admit that their cars were overpriced.

But sales are still not picking up and the problem lies not in prices but in the Indian car consumers' shift towards diesel powered cars. There has always been a price differential between petrol and diesel in India, but in 2011 when the price difference reached Rs 20 per litre and as diesel technology mproved considerably, consumers started to see reason in spending Rs 100,000 extra on a diesel variant of a car over the petrol model (at the same specification level). Driving just a 1000 kilometers a month, the average consumer would make his or her money back in 24-30 months depending on the car. With a large majority of the Verna and Vento's sales being to the diesel variant (Volkswagen is offering discounts on petrol-powered models).

So a diesel engine would make a massive difference for Honda. Despite the price-cuts the brand still holds immense value, and a iDTEC engine as speculated would offer excellent performance. Honda officials admitted to me that Honda is looking at a smaller diesel engine than the 1.6 litre engine which is soon going to be launched in Europe and a 1.2 litre engine will comfortably fit inside the engine bay of the Brio and the Jazz, with the larger 1.6 litre making it onto the City, Civic and C-RV.

But it appears Honda is aware of this, they realise that introducing a diesel in India will lead to huge demand, even if the government gives in to the environmental lobby in India and imposes a Rs 80,000 'surcharge' on diesel cars, which at best would add another year to the break-even point. Maruti and Hyundai already cannot cope with demand, there is a six-eight month waiting period for the Diesel Swift and a Diesel-powered Verna involves a four to five month wait. So will Honda invest in a forging and casting plant in India to make Diesel engines? That remains to be seen.

But even if the engines are imported, Honda officials told me that no diesel powered cars will be sold in India in 2012. But with 11 months of the year remaining and the fact that things change quickly in the automotive industry, take nothing for certain.

Source;

http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/honda-diesel-cars/1/22058.html

Honda Cars : Honda to bring diesel engined cars to India: Official Word Emerges! | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Sure would be nice to see a Diesel from Honda come to North America....
Honda SIEL seems to be on a resurgence of sorts. First we had superb product repositioning strategies with the Honda City Sedan and Honda Jazz Hatchback seeing big price drops on account of what Honda would like us to believe, increased localization which has led to massive cost savings. Then came the superbly priced Honda Brio, which at a starting price of INR 3.95 Lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi has all the trappings of being a best seller. Now, Honda has just come out with the most important of announcements yet, of that of Honda bringing in diesel engines for its Indian line up.

While this isn’t exactly something we hadn’t reported earlier, Honda SIEL officials openly speaking about diesel engines for Honda cars in India only means that Brand Honda is going all out to ensure that it manages to stay relevant in the Indian market by adapting itself to the growing trend of diesel engined cars outselling petrol engined cars in India owing to high petrol prices and the big difference in pricing between petrol and diesel fuel. Currently, Honda sells six models in India, the Brio, the Jazz, the City, the Civic, the CR-V and the Accord.

Of these cars, European variants of the Civic, CR-V and Accord already feature powerful and frugal common rail, turbo diesel engines. So, only three of Honda’s six cars in India actually need brand new diesel engines developed from scratch. For the record, Honda has already begun development of diesel engines on a war footing with engineers from Honda’s former F1 program actually being involved in this high stakes project. Hence, it is just a matter of time before Honda comes up with small capacity diesel engines for its Indian bread-and-butter product line up, although the firm remains tight lipped about when exactly the new small capacity diesel engines will be available.

Meanwhile, here’s official word emerging about Honda’s diesel engined car model plans for the Indian market, from Mr Jnaneswar Sen, Vice-President (Sales and Marketing) HSCI.

The Research and Development team in Japan is developing diesel engines. It is premature to say that the products will be rolled out on diesel (platform).

Source;
http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/cars/honda-bring-diesel-engined-cars-india-official-word-emerges-49690/