Honda Cars India expects double-digit growth this fiscal

Pinning its hopes on the soon-to-be-launched BR-V SUV, Honda Cars India expects double digit growth in this fiscal. Press Trust of India (PTI) reports that although Honda thinks that achieving the original target of selling 3 lakh units would remain a challenge, the company expects to register double-digit growth.

"As far as Honda is concerned, we should have a decent growth, hopefully a double-digit growth during the fiscal," Jnaneshwar Sen, the senior vice-president (marketing and sales), Honda Cars India, told PTI.

Honda had sold 1.92 lakh units in the last fiscal, registering a growth of 2 percent as compared to the previous fiscal. The company has set a target of 3 lakh units for 2016-17.

"The market remains very challenging. Prices have gone up due to various cesses, there is no clarity on the diesel (front). So, we are pragmatic but need to look at the situation practically," Sen added.

Honda's current portfolio in India includes the Brio hatchback, Amaze compact sedan, Jazz premium hatchback, City sedan, Mobilio MPV and CR-V SUV. Honda will be adding the BR-V to its line-up on May 5.

The BR-V, the SUV to be pitted against Renault Duster and Hyundai Creta, will be offered in both petrol and diesel engine options. While the 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol will produce 117bhp and 145Nm, the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel mill will generate 99bhp and 200Nm of torque. Honda BR-V petrol manual transmission comes with a claimed fuel efficiency of 15.4kmpl, while the CVT unit will deliver 16kmpl. The diesel-powered unit will deliver an impressive 21.9kmpl.

[1 lakh = 100,000 | 1 crore = 10 million | 100 crore = 1 billion]