Honda small car to target swift

[FISH]

R SRIVIDHYA
Posted online: Friday, February 10, 2006 at 0131 hours IST

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_f...tent_id=117180

MUMBAI, FEB 9: Honda will launch a small car in the country, Masahiro Takedagawa, president and CEO of Honda Siel India told FE. “With 80% of the Indian car market comprising small cars, we understand the need to have a presence in the segment,” Mr Takedagawa said.
In keeping up with its premium image, it will launch the car in the B+ segment (Rs 4.5 lakh category), where the Maruti Swift is positioned, he added.

The small car will be produced in a new facility next to Honda’s existing facility at Greater Noida as the current one does not have the capacity to produce required volumes of small cars. It would take at least 2-3 years before the company’s small car is launched here. Other premium vehicle makers like General Motors and Toyota are also planning to launch their small cars in the country.

Unlike Hyundai, which is using the Indian facility as a small car export hub Honda has no plans to export the small cars.