Unlike other car manufacturers who are ready with their electric vehicle plan, the Indian subsidiary of Japanese carmaker Honda cars India will bring electric vehicles only after clear roadmap is laid by the government.
In an exclusive interview with ETAuto, Yoichiro Ueno, President & CEO, Honda Cars India said, “Electric vehicles cannot operate on its own. It needs an ecosystem like charging infrastructure and power supply. Having an ecosystem is important. We will support to design the future of the mobility. Once the roadmap and plan is clear on electric vehicles. We would maximize our efforts to bring good products in the segment.”
However, to showcase its strength in research and development, the carmaker showcased two electric vehicle concepts – NeuV concept and Sports EV concept at Motor Show in Great Noida.
In the current product portfolio, the carmaker sells a hybrid version of its luxury sedan Accord. However, higher GST rates on hybrids become a roadblock. Honda car till now has sold 90 units of Hybrid cars.
While the company is ready for the upcoming emission norms. It will launch three products in next fiscal year – Next Gen Amaze compact sedan, Civic premium sedan, and CR-V SUV. With this, the carmaker will cover more than 80 percent of the segment. Still, the carmaker is missing on a proper compact SUV. On bringing compact SUV to India, Yoichiro Uneo said, “We are looking forward to having a product in that segment.”
On the other hand, the company is not planning to bring any replacement of Mobilioor an MPV as the segment is de-growing said Uneo.