Latest news with #KunalBehl
India Today
02-06-2025
- 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
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Honda Cars India sees May sales slowdown, eyes recovery with improved market conditions
The 2024 Honda Amaze is priced between ₹8.10 lakh and ₹11.20 lakh Check Offers Honda Cars India Ltd. has announced that it sold 5,985 vehicles in May 2025, including 3,950 in the domestic market and 2,035 in international markets. The figures reflect a cautious posture for Honda in the current market environment with regard to supply and distribution. It's worth noting in May that Honda's sales figures for May 2025 are weak compared to the same time last year. In May 2024, Honda Cars India sold 4,822 cars in the domestic market and 6,521 vehicles in the international market, which means Honda's year-over-year declines in both markets. The automaker faces challenges related to a number of economic headwinds and a depressed consumer confidence. The carmaker said that it implemented a cautious dispatch strategy in May. By controlling the number of vehicles shipped to the dealerships, Honda Cars India was able to control dealer inventories and prevent oversupply in a very uncertain sales environment. Also Read : Honda Amaze: The sedan that refuses to shout, but quietly delivers Kunal Behl, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Honda Cars India Ltd., addressed the company's approach: 'Given the prevailing market sentiment, we deliberately maintained a conservative dispatch volume to manage inventories efficiently across our dealer network. At the same time, we remain hopeful that an improved monsoon season will stimulate retail demand in the coming months." Despite the current slowdown, Honda Cars India is optimistic about the future. Given the forecasts for a better-than-usual monsoon season—often a key driver of rural and semi-urban demand— the company anticipates retail momentum to build as conditions improve. The maker will likely also be preparing the new product updates and refreshed operating strategy to strengthen its presence in the competitive Indian car market. Honda's increasing focus towards hybrids During the month, Toshihiro Mibe, CEO, Honda Motor Company, stated that the company intends to cut back on investments in electrification and put its focus on hybrid vehicles in the immediate future followed by a desire to go electric long-term. He called the move "a course correction" rather than a shift in long-term vision. Also Read : Honda scales back EV goals, shifts focus to hybrids amid global EV slowdown He emphasized that Honda is still committed to electrification but is now delaying that transition to respond to current market realities. The new strategy means that Honda will be more aggressive in the hybrid area and will increase production in markets where EV sales have not been as strong. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 02 Jun 2025, 11:41 AM IST
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Business Standard
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Amid dip in domestic car sales, industry majors shift focus to exports
At a time when domestic demand for passenger cars is slowing, major auto companies appear to be focusing on exports to drive growth in FY26. Maruti Suzuki reported a 5 per cent decline in total domestic sales in May to 148,858 units. However, its exports rose sharply by 80 per cent to 31,219 units in May 2025 from 17,367 units in the same period last year. For the fiscal so far, the company's exports are up 50 per cent to 59,130 units, helping offset a marginal dip in domestic volumes. This supported Maruti Suzuki's overall sales of 180,077 units in May 2025, marking a 3.2 per cent increase from 174,551 units a year earlier. The Mini segment (Alto, S-Presso) saw a steep year-on-year decline of 31.5 per cent, selling 6,776 units compared to 9,902 units in May 2024. The Compact segment — which includes Baleno, Swift, WagonR, Dzire, Celerio, and Ignis — fell 9.6 per cent to 61,502 units from 68,206 units last year. These two segments contributed most to the decline in domestic sales. Similarly, Hyundai Motor India saw an 11 per cent drop in monthly domestic sales to 43,861 units, while exports rose 3 per cent to 14,840 units. 'May is a month of our routine, week-long biannual maintenance shutdown at our Chennai manufacturing facility, which affects the availability of a few critical models. We continue to witness consistent growth in our export volume, and this is a testament to the 'Make in India, Made for the World' philosophy that we passionately uphold,' said Tarun Garg, whole-time director and chief operating officer, HMIL. The company's domestic sales declined 7 per cent between January and May 2025, while exports rose 13 per cent to 69,340 units, according to a source. Honda Cars India recorded total sales of 5,985 units in May 2025, including domestic sales of 3,950 units and exports of 2,035 units. '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,' said Kunal Behl, vice president, marketing and sales, Honda Cars India.
NDTV
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Honda Cars India's Total Wholesale In May'25 Stood At 5,985 Units
Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), registered total sales of 5,985 units in May'25. Domestic sales of the company stood at 3,950 units and exports at 2,035 units. Sharing thoughts on the sales performance, Mr. Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd. said, "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." In the corresponding month last year, the Japanese marque retailed 4,822 units in the Indian market, while the export figures stood at 6,521 units. Besides, the 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.
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Honda Cars sales decline by 55% in April. Elevate to get new variants soon
With a sharp decline in volumes, Honda is looking to stimulate demand with new variants of the Elevate arriving later this month Honda Cars India reported its sales for April 2025, and the automaker registered a decline of 55 per cent year-on-year. The Japanese automaker sold 4,871 units (domestic + exports) last month, against 10,867 units sold during the same month in 2024. Domestic sales stood at 3,360, down by 22.78 per cent when compared to 4,351 units sold in April last year. Subdued demand affects Honda's sales in April Exports saw a massive decline of 76.81 per cent, with only 1,511 units shipped overseas in April this year, as opposed to 6,516 units exported in April 2024. Honda saw a sharp decline in month-on-month numbers, with the brand registering a 53.51 per cent drop in volumes when compared to March 2025, when it sold a cumulative 7,228 units. Also Read : Exports power Maruti Suzuki's April performance as domestic sales hold steady Honda explained that a subdued consumer sentiment led to lower dispatches in April. Speaking about the sales performance, Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, 'In view of the prevailing market conditions and subdued consumer sentiment, we have strategically moderated the dispatches in the month of April to maintain optimal inventory level across our network, ensuring operational efficiency and preparing for demand fluctuations without burdening the dealers." New Elevate variants to be launched in May The decline is certainly alarming for the brand with three mass-market offerings on sale. Moreover, since the new-generation Honda Amaze was launched less than six months ago and was expected to be a major growth driver for the brand. In a bid to stimulate demand and attract more customers, the automaker is gearing up to bring new variants to the Elevate. Elaborating on the same, Kunal Behl said, 'We are introducing certain grades of Elevate at an attractive new price point along with other benefits in the month of May, ensuring greater value for our customers." The Honda Elevate is currently priced from ₹ 11.91 lakh, going up to ₹ 15.51 lakh (ex-showroom). Expect the new variants to bring more features at more accessible price points. The new variants will be launched later this month. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 02 May 2025, 15:28 PM IST
