Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL) has announced that the brand registered annual domestic sales of 85,609 units during FY 21-22. This converts to 4.3% growth over the last financial year. The brand also reiterates that it had sold 82,074 units during FY 20-21. In terms of exports, Honda moved a total volume of 19,401 units during FY 21-22 as compared to 5,131 units in FY 20-21. This means the brand has registered a growth of 278%. Regarding monthly sales, Honda registered 6,589 units in the domestic market while exports of 2,243 units in March 2022. In March 2021, the company reported sales of 7,103 units in the domestic market and 1,069 units in exports.
Honda reveals that the last year was particularly challenging for the car industry due to the pandemic and the shortage of semiconductor chips. Sales were also affected due to the hike in raw material prices. The company now reveals that the situation is coming back to normalcy, and the situation is looking stable. This will allow the brand to pave the way for the future. Honda reveals that the brand is entering this financial year with “renewed energy and enthusiasm”.
Honda plans to bring the new Honda City e: HEV hybrid sedan to the Indian market. The brand launched the Honda City Hybrid in 2020 for the South East Asian markets. The Honda City Hybrid is already for sale in Malaysia and Thailand. Now the brand is planning to launch the car in April 2022 in the Indian market. Reports suggest that the City Hybrid will come with a host of features such as active safety features that include lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, auto high beam assist, emergency braking, and a front collision warning system.
The City Hybrid will come with a 1.5-litre i-VTEC Atkinson cycle DOHC petrol engine. The engine produces 98 PS of power and 127 Nm of torque. The naturally-aspirated engine is mated to twin electric motors. One powers the front axle while the other acts as an Integrated Starter Generator System (ISG). The dual electric motor setup also allows the car to run on electric-only power for short distances and significantly improves the mileage.
Also Read: Honda City e:HEV confirmed for India, launch in April 2022