.Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL), a Japanese subsidiary, introduced the Honda City sedan to the Indian market in 1998. The Indian subsidiary is owned by Honda Motor Co. Ltd., a Japanese manufacturer known for its refined engines, luxurious interiors, modern safety systems, and high resale value. For over two decades, Honda has been renowned for manufacturing vehicles with reliable engines, low maintenance requirements, and fuel-efficient performance.
Honda cars are very popular among Indian families and urban professionals who value longevity and quality.
About the Company
In 1948, Soichiro Honda established Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in Hamamatsu, Japan. The company first produced motorcycles before branching out into the automotive industry in 1963. In 1995, Honda and Usha International formed Honda Siel Cars India Limited as a joint venture to enter the Indian market. In 2012, Honda became the sole owner of Usha after purchasing its share. Honda currently sells five models in India: one electric sedan, three sedans, and a compact SUV.
The company has two manufacturing factories in India; the first opened in 1997 at Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and the second in 2008 at Tapukara, Rajasthan. It also has plants in Ahmedabad (Vithalapur) and Bengaluru (Narsapura). In FY 2024-25, Honda shipped 60,226 units to countries, including Japan, which was its largest export volume to date.
Unique Selling Features/Key Aspects of Honda
- Excellent Engineering and Dependability: Honda cars are known for their long-term dependability and minimal maintenance needs due to their sturdy construction and advanced, fuel-efficient engines.
- Modern Safety Equipment: Honda ensures the safety of car passengers by providing modern safety equipment like ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and airbags. For example, Amaze and Elevate are the first vehicles in their class to do so.
- Resale Value and Hybrid Technology: Honda is a brand that customers can trust and depend on. It also has a high resale value. For example, Honda's sedans, which can achieve up to 26.2 km/l mileage, have a high brand trust and resale value.
- Customer-Centric Services: Honda is known for providing excellent after-sales service to its customers, which is an essential part of its brand reputation.
Market Share of Company
According to the data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL), the company's share in India's Passenger Vehicle Market is as follows:
FY Year |
Total Passenger Vehicle Sales |
Honda Domestic Sales |
Market Share |
2023-24 |
42,18,746 |
86,584 |
2.05% |
2022-23 |
38,90,114 |
91,418 |
2.35% |
2021-22 |
30,69,523 |
85,609 |
3.00% |
2020-21 |
27,11,457 |
82,074 |
2.8% |
2019-20 |
27,73,519 |
1,02,016 |
3.03% |
2018-19 |
33,77,436 |
1,83,787 |
3.7% |
2017-18 |
32,88,581 |
1,70,026 |
5.4% |
Honda Showroom and Service Centres
Honda Cars India operates 302 authorised showrooms across 200+ cities, spanning urban, semi-urban, and rural areas, ensuring widespread accessibility. Honda also has an extensive network of authorised service centres to ensure strong post-purchase customer support across over 100 cities. The brand has also introduced 'Expert Connect Virtual Showroom', a digital solution that allows real-time vehicle exploration with live expert assistance.
Competitors
Honda competes in both the sedan and SUV segments in India. It offers vehicles that emphasise value, performance, and safety. Its main rivals include:
Segment |
Honda Model |
Rivals |
Sub-compact Sedan |
Amaze |
Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Hyundai Aura, Tata Tigor |
Midsize Sedan |
City, City e:HEV |
Hyundai Verna, Å koda Slavia, Volkswagen Virtus. |
Compact SUV |
Elevate |
Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Å koda Kushaq |
The
Amaze competes against the Dzire and Aura in the high-volume subcompact sedan segment. The City and City e:HEV challenge Verna and Slavia in midsize sedans, while the Elevate takes on
Creta and Seltos in compact SUVs.
Latest News
- On March 19, 2025, Honda announced a price hike effective April 2025 for models of Amaze, City, City e:HEV, and Elevate. The company cited growing input and operational costs.
- On December 23, 2024, Honda and Nissan announced negotiations for a possible merger and manufacturing partnership. The goal is to supply hybrid cars and build cars in each other's factories, possibly using Nissan's plant to boost Honda's standing in the cutthroat Indian market.
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