Japanese auto maker Honda is reportedly planning to bring its first multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), Mobilio, to the Indian market by June 2014.
According to the Financial Express, Honda will commence operations of its second car plant in India at Tapukara, Rajasthan, in March and Mobilio will be the first vehicle to roll out from the plant.
"Honda aims to start production of the Mobilio in April and the launch is expected by June. The Jazz will then be launched by the end of the year. The Tapukara plant is expected to make both the Amaze and the Mobilio," the daily quoted a source as saying.
After the City sedan, Mobilio will be the second new Honda model launched in India followed by the new Jazz. The vehicle, which will be pitted against Maruti Ertiga, Chevrolet Enjoy and Mahindra Xylo, is the third model to be built on the Brio and Amaze platforms. The car is expected to pack a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine under the hood and is likely to be price in the ₹5-₹6 lakh range.
The company's 2014 City sedan which made its global debut recently will be unveiled in January. The vehicle, which also comes in diesel, is expected to fall in the price range of ₹7-₹10 lakh. On the mechanical front, the latest City edition boasts of a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine and a 1.5-litre i-DTEC engine.
With three new models lined up and the continuing success of Amaze, Honda hopes to set a new benchmark in the domestic auto market.
