Honda Cars India is planning to launch the much anticipated Mobilio MPV in India during third quarter, this year, which means any time between July and October, said Hironori Kanayama, CEO & President, Honda Cars India to NDTV Auto. The Japanese auto giant inaugurated its second car manufacturing unit at Tapukara, Alwar, Rajasthan on February 24, is now confident of delivering cars on time, with almost no waiting period. The company was facing a tough time cutting down on the increasing waiting period, earlier, specially after the launch of the compact sedan - Amaze.
Mr. Kanayama also revealed the company's plans of launching the next-generation Jazz in India. The all new Jazz will be launched by the early 2015. Both the products are expected to be built at the company's new facility at the Tapukara plant itself.
Built on the Brio hatchback platform, the Mobilio is a seven-seater MPV, which will compete against the likes of Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Chevrolet Enjoy and Nissan Evalia. Powering the Mobilio will be the 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol and 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel mill, which are also found under the new City. Measuring over 4.4 meters in length, the Mobilio MPV will be lengthier than the Ertiga, thus providing more space to its occupants. Another highlight of the MPV is its 185mm ground clearance, which is better than many SUVs and MPVs being sold in India.
New-Gen Honda Jazz, on the other hand, will have an entirely new design, and is expected to be priced in-line with the Maruti Suzuki Swift and Hyundai i20. The Jazz too will source its power from the 1.5-litre, i-DTEC diesel engine, which underpins the Amaze and new-gen City.
