Honda plans to drive in Jazz early 27 Sep 2008

Test Drive Honda Jazz

Get set for more action in the Indian small car market. Encouraged by the lower excise duty on small cars, Japanese carmaker Honda has decided to pre-pone the launch of the company’s global hit ‘Jazz’ into India and will launch it by the middle of next year.

Related Links

Special Feature : Honda Jazz   Slideshow : Honda Jazz

Honda president and CEO Takeo Fukui, here for the inauguration of a unit at the company’s upcoming second plant, said the Jazz was coming in early “in view of the importance of small cars in India and the enthusiastic response to the car at the January Auto Expo in Delhi.”

Company will roll out Jazz from its existing plant at Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh against earlier plan of Rajasthan, which was to be by the end of next year. Small it may be, but the Jazz will not come cheap.

You may also be Interested in Tata Indica Vista Test Drive Now>> Maruti Suzuki Ritz Test Drive Now>> Fiat Grande Punto Test Drive Now>>

Honda will be pitching the model in the premium end and as per estimates, it would be in range of Rs 5 lakh. But Honda officials are not worried and insist car would give a good value proposition despite high cost.Masahiro Takedagawa, president and CEO of Honda’s Indian joint venture Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI), said the low excise duty on small cars was one of the prime reasons for launching the car early.