India to be Honda's parts export hub, eyes Rs 1,100cr in FY16

Company is very much in consonance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India initiative, said President and CEO

Japanese car maker Honda plans to make India an export hub for auto components by enhancing supply from here to its various international operations, while it also looks to enhance overseas shipping of global models produced in the country.

The company, which exported auto components worth Rs 722 crore in 2014-15, is looking for over 50 per cent increase to Rs 1,100 crore in the ongoing fiscal by adding more countries such as the US, China and Canada to its basket.

"We have been exporting a lot of components from India. We are definitely looking to increase exports from here as we want to make it a global export hub," Honda Cars India President and CEO Katsushi Inoue told PTI.

Honda's exports of auto components from India has been gradually increasing. In 2013-14, its component exports had a turnover of Rs 420 crore.

It ships different engine parts, forgings and transmissions along with others, which are produced at its Tapukara plant in Rajasthan to a host of global operations.

These include Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, UK, Brazil and Mexico. Soon, it will start exporting components to its operations in US, China and Canada.

Inoue said Honda was very much in consonance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India initiative.

"Honda's expectations from India is very high. There is a huge potential ahead...Currently it's the fourth biggest market for us after the US, China and Japan," he added.

On exports of cars from India, he said Honda will look to increase the volumes but "it will be to right hand drive countries".

Honda Cars India exported 8,403 units last fiscal while in 2013-14 it had shipped out 5,798 units across various markets. In the first quarter of the current fiscal, the company has already exported a total of 1,858 units.

Keeping with its focus on exports, the company, which had recently re-launched its premium hatchback Jazz in India had started exporting the model ahead of its launch here.

The company also exports models like hatchback Brio, compact sedan Amaze, mid-sized sedan City and multi-purpose vehicle Mobilio.

Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) exports mostly to South Africa and neighbouring countries Nepal and Bangladesh. It is exploring other options to increase the export market.

While Amaze, Jazz and City are manufactured at the Tapukara facility, other models like Brio and Mobilio are rolled from its Greater Noida factory.

Commenting on the Indian market, Inoue said: "Indian market is growing, the young generation is entering car market. It is an important market for us.