Will Honda use the top-down approach for its 2014 product launches?

Honda unveiled the new City in November this year and they kept everyone guessing the launch date. It is believed that the new City won’t be coming anytime in December, so we could probably expect it in January next year. Confirming this a news report in the Financial Express reads, ‘Honda will launch the City in January’ followed by the Mobilio MPV and Jazz.

The interesting part is that Honda has three exciting products lined up for 2014 launch. The City will start the proceedings, but there was no confirmation about what would follow, the Mobilio or the Jazz? While most believed the new Jazz will be launched after the City followed by the Mobilio and even vice-versa. The report says Honda may start producing the Mobilio by April 2014 and the MPV will be available by June; the Jazz, which will share the production line with the Mobilio, would be available by the end of 2014.The Mobilio and Jazz are both important for Honda, but considering that the MPV market is growing rapidly, it is a given that the Honda think-tank believe the Mobilio should come sooner. 

Earlier this year Honda announced an investment of Rs 2,500 crore to increase its production capacity. The new plant in Tapukara, Rajasthan’s Alwar district is 190 kms away from Honda’s existing plant in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The newplant is expected to add 1.2 lakh units to Honda’s production capacity which stands at 1.7 lakh now.

Although most believe Honda is done with its production plans, we expect them to spring a surprise by launching the Vezel SUV, which is likely to be called the CR-U for India.