Catching Up

Honda Cars lines up new models with more features to regain lost ground in the Indian market.

- Munish Shekhavat

Honda Cars India plans to introduce new products, including sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and bigger sedans, as well as add more features in its future models to regain lost ground in the Indian market. Aware of a change in market dynamics with a big shift from A and B segments to the premium category, the Japanese car manufacturer is gearing up to meet the new demand in India.

"The market is changing. We are seeing a big shift from A and B categories to an upper segment, and that's why Maruti and Hyundai are also trying to move to the premium side. So, we are also carefully monitoring this segment movement," notes Honda Cars India President and CEO Yoichiro Ueno.

Besides, there is growth in the SUV segment, and Mr Ueno considers this development as a big change. The company is all set to launch a new SUV model soon to tap the growing demand for big cars. A key to survival in the fast-growing Indian market is the need to be nimble-footed and deliver products which customers want. Mr Ueno's stress is on catching up with the changing demand.

Changing gears

A shift in demand from diesel to petrol in India has also resulted in the company losing ground, and it was late to adapt to the changes. Since the end of last year, there has been a mismatch of Honda's inventory in the country. Honda is concentrating on matching price with the competitors. However, some specifications appear not to be meeting customers' expectations. As a result of these discrepancies, there is a mismatch in the company's product line-up. "However, by July this year, dealer supplies have normalised, and so, the situation is now coming back to normal," discloses Mr Ueno.