The Hindu Business Line : Honda Siel readies desi version of Fit

HONDA Siel Cars India Ltd has started the countdown and kicked off the commercial production of its yet unnamed second offering in the highly competitive C segment of the industry.

Top company sources told Business Line that over a hundred units of the of the car, which is being sold in Japan as the Honda Fit, has been produced since commercial production started almost 10 days back at its Surajpur facilities. Sources said the company's new product for the Indian car market is a stylish three box car with a 1.5 l petrol engine and has been designed with the desi car buyer's favourite mantra in mind: Maximum value for money.

While the company President and CEO, Mr H. Yamada, was unavailable for comment, sources said the car's USP will be its mileage: "The car has been test-driven under consumer driving conditions and delivers 20.5 km to a litre," the sources said.

In addition to opting for a high degree of glass area for better styling and looks, the carmaker is believed to have shifted its petrol tank to under the driver's seat so that boot space can be enhanced to meet the requirement of the large Indian family, the sources said.

Sources said that while no concrete decision has been taken as yet, the company is mulling over a post-Diwali launch of the car, which is expected to eventually replace its existing sibling, the Honda City. "The car will also carry a price tag lower than that of its sibling," sources said, adding the company expects to sell approximately 20,000 units of the car annually.

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