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Honda has faced a lot of trouble due to lack of diesel options in their stable. Other companies are also facing problems due to rise in price of petrol. While some are giving heavy discounts on their offerings others are trying to bring different fuels options like CNG or LPG. Few days ago we posted about the Honda Brio diesel being spotted testing. Now news comes from a source of Honda that the launch could happen as soon as October 2012. This means that the vehicle should reach for homologation in the coming months.
“The Company was initially planning to launch the diesel model by 2013. However, with the increasing demand for diesel cars and the hike in petrol prices, the company is advancing the launch of Honda Brio by Diwali this year. The company has already asked the R& D department to speed up the work, and if required, it may also go for a third party arrangement,” a company source said.
While we are sure Honda will not hurry up a launch just to address falling sales. Hurrying up the launch of diesel powered cars could result in compromise of reliability tests and thus the above news can be taken with a pinch of sales. However, the source mentions a third party agreement could be possible. Could Honda source diesel engines from Fiat temporarily, till their own Earth Dreams technology enabled oil burners are ready for mass production?
With petrol being at its all time high has resulted in sale of diesel vehicles in the country jumped by 35% last fiscal while that of petrol variants dropped by 15%. The sale of petrol cars will see further decline with the latest hike of Rs. 7.50 per litre. This move from Honda is really important to survive in Indian automobile market. The diesel powered Honda Brio be an interesting package to look out for as it will be the first diesel offering from Honda in India.
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Source – Business Today
– Kanishk Arora