Honda Motor Co. Wednesday began selling the Jazz - its first small car in India - to compete with Suzuki Motor Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co.
Honda joins companies such as Suzuki, Hyundai and General Motors who already sell small cars in India. Small cars - with engine capacity of 0.8 liters to 1.6 liters - comprised 73% of the 1.22 million cars sold in India in the financial year ended March 31.
The company will sell the Jazz via its 102 dealerships across India, which it aims to expand to 112 by March 2010. Wall Street Journal
Speaking on the occasion, Masahiro Takedagawa, president and CEO, Honda Siel Cars India Ltd, said, “The Honda Jazz is a segment-defining car and is loaded with all the values that are associated with Honda. The Jazz will cater to a unique group of people who want the latest and most stylish models with the best of technology, safety and practicality in their car.”
The journey of the first generation Jazz, in fact, started in 2001 with its debut launch in Japan. The car, which is now being sold in more than 130 countries across the globe, has hit the Indian roads in its second generation avatar.
In its new avatar, the Jazz comes with a 1.2-litre i-VTEC engine which, the company claims, has been specially developed for the Indian market. The four-cylinder engine features programmed fuel injection that delivers maximum output of 90 PS (66 kW) @ 6,200 rpm and torque of 110 Nm (11.2 kg-m) @ 4800 rpm while giving fuel economy of 16.1 km/l, as per ARAI test data. The new engine is also E10 compatible and has Euro IV emission levels.
Jazz is available in 5-speed manual transmission with gear ratios optimized for a sporty driving experience, while ensuring fuel economy. According to the company, the drive by wire throttle control system enables precise control of the vehicle while driving. Economic Times
“In the past, we were focused only on the premium category, which comprises only 20 per cent of the 12 lakhs units strong Indian passenger car market. With the launch of Jazz, we are now competing directly for the rest 80 per cent of the market also,” Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) President and CEO Masahiro Takedagawa told reporters here.
“Last year was very tough time for us, but since the launch of new City, we have seen an improvement (in sales). Hindu
