Honda launches MPV Mobilio starting at Rs 6.49 lakh

Japanese auto major Honda today launched the Mobilio, its first multi-purpose vehicle in India, priced between Rs 6.49 lakh and Rs 10.86 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) to take on the likes of Maruti Suzuki's Ertiga.

Petrol variants of the seven seater Mobilio would retail between Rs 6.49 lakh and Rs 8.76 lakh while diesel versions would be available between Rs 7.89 lakh and Rs 10.86 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

"The launch of Honda Mobilio follows the success of Honda Amaze and the all new City which led our exceptional growth of 83% in the previous financial year," Honda Cars India President & CEO Hironori Kanayama told reporters here.

Honda Motor Company Managing Officer Yoshiyuki Matsumoto said India remains one of the company's key strategic markets and Mobilio will contribute significantly to HCIL's growth in India.

Mobilio has been developed at Honda's R&D facility in Bangkok exclusively for the Asian markets with India and Indonesia among key targets.

In India, the vehicle would roll out from the company's Greater Noida plant.

Ertiga is priced between Rs 5.8 lakh and Rs 8.49 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The petrol variants retail between Rs 5.8 lakh and Rs 7.3 lakh while the diesel versions are priced between Rs 7.22 lakh and Rs 8.49 lakh.

During the fiscal 2013-14, Honda Cars India reported 83% increase in sales at 1,34,339 units as against 73,483 units during the previous year.

At the Auto Expo held in February, Honda Motor Japan President and CEO Takanobu Ito had announced a sales target of reaching 3,00,000 units annually by FY'17 in India as part of its aim to sell 60 lakh vehicles globally in the same period.

He had said that in order to achieve the target, the company would introduce new products and technologies that fit the needs of Indian customers.

HCIL had earlier this year launched an all-new version of its mid-sized sedan City. The company's other models include compact sedan Amaze and hatchback Brio. The Honda Amaze, introduced in April last year, was the company's first diesel offering in India.

The company said it would increase output from its plant at Tapukara in Rajasthan by starting a second production shift in seven to eight months to help meet its target of an almost 50% jump in sales to 2 lakh units in 2014-15.

HCIL's other facility at Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh can produce 1.2 lakh cars every year.