In Order To Reduce Prices, Honda Plans To Merocalize Hybrid Powertrain In India

Honda City e: HeV. (Doc. Honda India)

JAKARTA - Automotive manufacturer from Japan, Honda plans to localize a hybrid powertrain in India while strengthening its position in the segment after introducing the City e: HEV model some time ago.

This was conveyed by the President and CEO of Honda Cars India, Takuya Tsumura. He said that this step was part of his plan and thought the hybrid was very suitable for the country.

"This is part of a plan and consideration for localizing hybrid in India," Tsumura said as quoted by Autocar India, Friday, December 27.

The Japanese man also explained that as part of his plans to expand his business in India, the manufacturer is evaluating various possibilities for a greater level of overall localization.

"In general, if we want to expand our business in India, we have to do more localization," added Tsumura.

The manufacturer with the H logo has just launched City e: HEV as India's first mass hybrid car. Unfortunately, they don't have a plan to introduce their second product anytime soon.

It is possible that Honda will expand it by marketing the hybrid version of the Elevate. However, the company needs to localize its powertrain first in order to reduce prices. Please note, this small SUV shares the platform with City so that it allows it to have a hybrid system.

In India, the Honda City e: HEV is equipped with a 1.5 liter Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor and eCVT transmission. Thus, this gives a 98 ps power boost from a combined gasoline engine with a 109 ps electric motor.