Latest news with #Amaze
India Today
2 days ago
- Automotive
- India Today
Honda sells 5,985 units in May 2025, overall sales declined by 47.24% YoY
Honda Cars India (HCIL) recorded total sales of 5,985 units in May 2025, comprising 3,950 domestic units and 2,035 export units. The company's domestic sales witnessed a decline compared to May 2024, when it had registered 4,822 units, while exports also fell from 6,521 units in the same period last on the monthly performance, Kunal Behl, Vice President of Marketing & Sales at Honda Cars India Ltd., stated, 'In view of the prevailing market conditions and subdued consumer sentiment, we continued to strategically moderate our dispatches in May to maintain optimal inventory levels across our network, while remaining optimistic about improved retail performance in the coming months supported by forecasts of a better monsoon.'advertisementDespite the decline in both domestic and export figures year-on-year, HCIL remains cautiously optimistic, banking on an expected recovery in rural and urban demand in the upcoming months. The company continues to align its production and inventory strategies with market dynamics, aiming for stability amid ongoing economic fluctuations. Honda's portfolio in the Indian market consists of Amaze, Elevate, City and CIty e: has seen a shift in its lineup over the years, introducing models like the Honda Amaze and more recently, the Honda Elevate. However, these newer generation offerings haven't resonated strongly with Indian consumers. That sentiment might be poised for a change, as per the vision of Takashi Nakajima, the newly appointed President and CEO of Honda Cars India Ltd. He has confirmed that the company's first battery electric vehicle (BEV) will debut in the next fiscal year, along with the arrival of advanced hybrid models featuring next-generation HEV Honda had previously indicated that its first electric vehicle for India would be based on the Elevate SUV, the company has now altered its strategy. Instead of adapting the Elevate, Honda plans to introduce an entirely new EV, designed specifically for the Indian market. This marks a clear strategic shift—one that distances itself from the approach taken by Hyundai, where electric and internal combustion models often share identical designs (e.g., the Creta). Instead, Honda may follow a strategy similar to Mahindra's, which has launched distinct EV models like the BE 6 and XUV.e9. This move could help Honda establish a stronger identity in India's evolving electric vehicle has been a pioneer in hybrids in India, having launched the Civic Hybrid back in 2008. Today, it offers the City e:HEV, a hybrid known for its exceptionally low emissions and impressive mileage of 27.26 km/l. Nakajima emphasizes that hybrids continue to be a key solution for India, and the company is ready to bring its latest HEV technology to the upcoming hybrid tech will be powered by a cleaner 1.5-litre petrol engine that delivers about 40% greater fuel efficiency than current models. This system will also be more cost-effective and may include a dual-motor setup—one acting as the drive motor and the other functioning as a generator—further enhancing overall performance and to Auto Today Magazine
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Maruti Suzuki Dzire to Honda Amaze: Sedans under ₹5 lakh offering best value for money
When it comes to buying cars, no matter if it is a new or a used one, multiple factors come into play. These include the fuel type, body style, engine, transmission type, cost of maintenance, after-sales service availability, etc. Combined, all these factors ensure the value for money quotient of a car. Keeping pace with the trend of rising demand for SUVs and crossovers, consumer preference for hatchbacks and sedans has dropped significantly in the new car market as well as in the pre-owned segment. However, despite the slumping demand, sedans still enjoy a niche following. The sub-compact sedans, which are positioned at the lower level of the sedan segment, usually see the most demand owing to their affordability and practicality. ₹ 6.84 - 10.19 Lakhs Offers Expiring soon ₹ 6.15 - 9.02 Lakhs Offers Expiring soon ₹ 8.1 - 11.2 Lakhs Offers Expiring soon ₹ 6.49 - 9.6 Lakhs Offers Expiring soon ₹ 5 Lakhs Onwards ₹ 6.7 - 9.92 Lakhs Offers Expiring soon (Also read: Upcoming cars in India) Here are two of these sub-compact sedans that are available under ₹5 lakh, which see high demand owing to their high value-for-money proposition. The current generation Maruti Suzuki Dzire comes with a significantly overhauled design compared to the previous generation. It comes with a host of upmarket features as well. Priced between ₹6.84 lakh and ₹10.19 lakh (ex-showroom), the Maruti Suzuki Dzire gets a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine, which is available with transmission choices like a five-speed manual gearbox and an AMT. There is a petrol-CNG bi-fuel powertrain on offer as well, which gets a five-speed manual gearbox for transmission duty. Some of the key features onboard the Dzire include an electric sunroof, cruise control, wireless phone charger, 360-degree surround view camera, TPMS, auto-fold ORVMs, six airbags as standard, etc. Interestingly, the new Dzire became the first car from the brand to receive a five-star Global NCAP crash test rating. Following the new Dzire, the Honda Amaze, its closest competitor, too, received an update. With this, the Honda Amaze sub-compact has become more upmarket in terms of design and features on offer. However, unlike the Dzire, the new Amaze didn't receive any update on the powertrain front. Priced between ₹8.10 lakh and ₹11.20 lakh (ex-showroom), the new Honda Amaze gets a 1.2-litre petrol engine, which is available with transmission choices like a manual gearbox and a CVT. There is a CNG kit on offer as well, which can be retrofitted to the sedan.
News18
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- News18
Honda To Add New BEV Next Fiscal With Focus On Hybrid Models, Here's What Top Official Says
Last Updated: The announcement has been made by the new helmsman, Takashi Nakajima, who was recently appointed as the president and CEO of the company. As the electric segment is reaching new heights, a lot of top car makers have started putting more effort into the vertical. Amid the massive boom, the top player, Honda, also announced that bring a new Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) for the Indian market. The announcement has been made by the new helmsman, Takashi Nakajima, who was recently appointed as the president and CEO of the company, reported by NDTV Auto. According to the reports, he confirmed that the launch of a new battery electric vehicle (BEV) might take place next fiscal year. Here's What Reports Say The top official did not reveal many details about the same during the event. However, some reports suggested that the upcoming EV will not be based on the Honda Elevate. Instead, it will arrive as a new pure EV, and will be specially made for the Indian market and its road conditions. Electric Sedan Or E-SUV? It is likely to be released in the SUV segment, giving more options to customers to choose from in the EV vertical. Apart from this, the customers can expect the few models with hybrid technology as well. Once launched, the EV might dominate the market and will give tough competition to the ongoing hot-selling products, Hyundai Creta EV, Tata Curvv EV, Mahindra BE 6 and Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara. It will be considered as the key model for the brand to establish its image in the segment, and contribute to the market with a tech-loaded product to its full potential. Currently, Honda offers a wide range of models in the Indian market. The list includes City, Elevate, Amaze and old-gen Amaze in India. Only the city comes with hybrid technology. The customers can expect the upcoming offerings in the hybrid tech as well, soon. First Published: May 25, 2025, 09:00 IST
NDTV
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Honda Cars India To Launch New BEV Next Fiscal Year; Will Focus On Hybrids Too
Honda Cars India has a new helmsman, Takashi Nakajima, who recently took over as the president and CEO of the company from Takuya Tsumura, made a slew of announcements at an informal event in Delhi. One of the highlights was the confirmation of the launch of a new battery electric vehicle (BEV) in the next fiscal year. It will not be based on the Honda Elevate, as speculated earlier, but instead it will be an EV made specifically for the Indian market. Honda hasn't made it clear whether the new EV will be an SUV or a sedan, but sources suggest that it is likely to be SUV, that could go up against the likes of the Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara, Hyundai Creta EV, Tata Curvv EV and so on. The company believes in having a different brand strategy for ICE and electric vehicles, unlike some other brands which opt for the same/similar branding. Honda is also silently working on its charging infrastructure, so that when the new EV arrives, the support network will be ready. The other highlight is that Honda sees India as one of its top three markets after Japan and USA. The new electric SUV will be one of the key models for Honda to step into the lucrative electric vehicle segment in India that is yet to unlock its full potential. Lastly, Nakajima San also stressed on the importance of hybrid technology and confirmed that more hybrid cars are on their way to India. There are also talks of a brand-new platform based on Honda's new e-HEV hybrid system with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a new electric AWD unit that is still under wraps. At present Honda sells the Elevate, City, Amaze and old-gen Amaze in India, with only the City having a hybrid setup. But the new top management does believe in the potential of the country and is ready to bring in a slew of new hybrid and EV models in the next few years.
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Improved new Honda Amaze offers more without breaking the bank
New third generation Amaze small sedan has a sub-R300 000 price tag, but also more equipment in an overall package better devised than before. All-new third generation Amaze has been restyled to appear more substantial and better looking than before. Images: Charl Bosch With the Jazz, subsequently renamed Fit, having moved upmarket and the Brio long since discontinued, the Indian-made Amaze has been Honda's best-seller in South Africa in a somewhat ironic turn of events. Against the industry norm Although originally spun-off of the Brio as the small sedan equivalent, the Amaze, with the unveiling of the second generation in 2018, became a model of its own and also the replacement for the hatch that bowed-out with the original generation. ALSO READ: Wraps officially come off elevate(d) all-new Honda Amaze Against the trend of hatches being favoured above sedans when taking the importance of small crossovers and SUVs out of the equation, the third generation Amaze comes at a critical time for a brand that has fallen far from its previous highs against the backdrop of larger, comparatively price and yes, SUVs from China. As a way of combatting this, in addition to assuring its stay in South Africa despite speculation of its future, Honda has increased the new Amaze's sticker prices by between R1 300 to R2 000 over its predecessor despite it being a completely new product with significantly higher levels of specification. Largely new Described at the time of its unveiling last year as a package that 'outclasses' its rivals, the Rajasthan-assembled Amaze has been made to look more compact than its predecessor, with traces of its sibling, the Elevate SUV, and the segment-up Ballade being evident on the design front. Based on the same platform as the Elevate, and still adhering to India's sub-four regulations, the official launch in a cold, wet and miserable Cape Town this week came with a series of welcome improvements over the old Amaze, but disparages on one key front unlikely to go away soon. Depicted Comfort tops the Amaze range. Styled in accordance with a philosophy Honda calls progressive, protective and sporty, the Amaze range once again spans three models and two trim levels, of which two were sampled at the event. Up front, the familiarly continues with the retention of the normally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol engine that channels 66kW/110Nm to the front wheels via either a five-speed manual gearbox or a CVT. In both instances, the transmissions have undergone revisions to be smoother while also helping with driveability. Much better on the eye A visual improvement over the old Amaze, the Elevate-style front facia has seen the standard incorporation of LED headlights across all three variants, as well as 15-inch alloy wheels and a black honeycomb pattern for new grille. Depicted Trend starts the Amaze range off. At the rear, an almost coupe-style sloping roof design has been opted for and although similar to the old Amaze in length, wheelbase and height, width has been increased by 38 mm to 1 733 mm. Somewhat curiously, this has seen boot space drop from 420-litres to 416-litres, which, still makes the Amaze more practical than its immediate rivals, the Hyundai Grand i10 Sedan (402 L) and the equally new Suzuki DZire (382 L). Still capacious boot now accommodates 416-litres as opposed to the previous Amaze's 420-litres. In terms of colours, five hues are available; Platinum White Pearl, Obsidian Blue Pearl, Meteoroid Grey Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic and Radiant Red Metallic. Massive improvement inside Inside, the Amaze's biggest attribute is the Elevate-derived interior that appears more modern but still functional. Unlike in its home market, all South African-market models get a black interior with black fabric seats as standard – the tacky previous black-and-brown imitation leather option having been dropped entirely. Interior has been redesigned to be more modern, but also ergonomically-sound and neat. Feeling better in terms of fit-and-finish with the odd scratchy surface still present – not surprising given the Amaze's price – the cabin remains ergonomically in-check with physical buttons and a straightforward to use new eight-inch freestanding infotainment system. A standard fixture across the entire range as well, the system incorporates wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and is contrasted by an equally seven-inch digital instrument cluster, also on all variants. Spec box In terms of specification, the Trend, which only comes with the manual gearbox, starts the range off by incorporating not only the already mentioned features, but also the following: Trend is solely offered with the five-speed manual gearbox. Neither trim grade offers cruise control. four-speaker sound system; front and rear armrests; dual USB ports; automatic air conditioning with rear vents; electric windows and mirrors; multi-function steering wheel; height adjustable front seats; keyless entry; push-button start Taking care of safety are dual front airbags, a reverse camera, rear parking sensors, Vehicle Stability Control, Hill Start Assist and ABS as well as EBD. Standard across all models is a new, plain and simple to use eight-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Up next, the flagship Comfort replaces the wire-effect wheels with dual-tone alloys, still of 15-inches, while also gaining LED fog lamps, a wireless smartphone charger, Auto High Beam Assist headlights, a six-speaker sound system and side as well as curtain airbags for a total of a six. The only derivative to have the option of the manual or CVT, opting for latter sees the added inclusion of paddle shifters as well as a segment first Remote Engine Start. More than likely as a result of costs, neither Trend or Comfort receives cruise control, or indeed Honda's Sensing array of driver assistance systems offered in India, these being the LaneWatch side camera, Lane Departure Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking, Lane Keep Assist and Lead Vehicle Alert to name a few. On the move On the move, the first leg of the route from the V&A Waterfront along the coast passed Muizenburg, Kalk Bay and then slightly more inland to eventually end at Hout Bay, involved the Trend. Given the appalling conditions that lashed the Mother City, progress was anything but swift, yet the Amaze felt composed and the ride forgiving given its suspension tuning. That being said, the ride didn't 'hit through' when tasked with lesser well maintained sections of the route, while stability wasn't adversary affected by the Cape doctor. Compared to the Comfort, the Trend has different 15-inch alloys and does without the LED fog lamps at the front. Despite being at sea level, the normally aspirated petrol still isn't a ball of fire and in typical Honda fashion, requires revving until the stereotypical 'VTEC kicks in' power band is reached. A free-revving unit nonetheless, the engine's combination with the five-speed manual works a treat as the thin lever connects to a sweet shifting 'box that comes with a light clutch adjusted almost perfectly to avoid stalls. Guaranteed to be used often to keep the engine on the boil, especially when driven at altitude where the Amaze will feel sluggish, the manual is, still, in stark contrast to the 'improved' CVT. All variants as fitted with black fabric seats as part of the all-black interior. Sampled in the Comfort on the return run back to Cape Town, the unit comes as a welcome improvement over the old Amaze, but still drones in typical fashion to the point of becoming downright irritating and without any go under hard acceleration. While likely to be popular option, and indeed relatively smooth when pottering about at town, the simulated ratio transmission still isn't ideally suited to a vehicle that will struggle even more at the Highveld with a fully loaded boot, four passengers and the air conditioning switched on. Conclusion Honda's approach of sticking with the Amaze while struggling in other facets of the market might seem like a no-brainer, yet the small sedan's offset of 10 000 units in South Africa the original Brio Amaze speaks the loudest of where the brand continues to place its core focus. An offering made sweeter by more specification, better styling and descent dynamics for not a lot more than its predecessor only adds to a commendable package spoiled mainly by its self-shifting transmission option. Price Included with each Amaze's price is a five-year/200 000 km warranty and a four-year/60 000 km service plan. Amaze 1.2 Trend – R254 900 Amaze 1.2 Comfort – R274 900 Amaze 1.2 Comfort CVT – R294 900 NOW READ: Swift booted as Suzuki finally prices all-new DZire
