Japanese car-maker Honda seems to be betting on the luxury car market in India. The company, which recently launched the BR-V SUV in the lucrative Indian market, is now reportedly getting ready to re-introduce the Accord and Civic saloons.
A report on ET Auto says the Honda is looking to bring back the Accord sedan in the second half of this year, followed by the CR-V 2017, and the range will be further expanded in 2018-19 with the re-introduction of the Civic. Honda's current India portfolio is dominated by the volume-driven models like the Jazz, Amaze, City and the Mobilio.
Honda targets 30,000 units of annual sales with the new Civic, and the report adds that the re-launch of the Civic and Accord sedans will be timed with the launch of the new-generation models of the Amaze, Brio, Jazz and the City. Honda, which vacated the premium sedan segment a decade ago, is looking to lift up its premium image with the re-launch.
Honda Accord, which was part of Indian roads for almost five years since its entry into the market in 2008, was discontinued owing to the poor sales. The company had also removed the Civic from its India line-up in 2012.
Honda is said to be mulling over the re-launch of the long-gone models as it thinks there is an increasing market for premium models in the country. If Honda Civic makes a comeback to the Indian market, the model will take on the likes of Chevrolet Cruze, Skoda Octavia, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta. If all goes well, Honda is also said to be willing to work on the localisation of these models.
It was also reported that Volkswagen was planning to bring its luxury sedan — the new Passat — in India. If it is true, Honda's move to re-introduce these models would help the company stay in the competition.
