After successfully commencing operations at its second plant in Tapukara, Rajasthan earlier this year; Honda Cars India is contemplating to set up its third plant in the country in the state of Gujarat. The company is said to have shown keen interest in a 250 acre land in the town of Vithalapur. Interestingly, the development comes after Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) too announced it will be setting up a new plant in the state.
The town of Vithalapur is around 67 kms away from Sanand and 32 kms away from Hansalpur, where Maruti Suzuki also plans to set up operations. Suzuki has also purchased a plot in Vithalapur for its expansion plans in the future. The development seems to be at a very nascent stage, as the company is keeping the plan under wraps as for now. HMSI on the other hand announced that its fourth facility will be built near Ahmedabad, Gujarat for manufacturing two-wheelers.
Honda Cars India commenced phase I operations at the Tapukara plant which is spread over 250 acres since 2008, producing engine and powertrain components. The company commenced manufacturing operations in February, earlier this year and rolled out the Amaze compact sedan. The plant currently has an operating capacity of 60,000 units and will also start producing the upcoming Jazz hatchback, which is scheduled to go into production by July this year and will be launched by early 2015.
Honda India’s next major launch is expected to be the Mobilio MPV, which was showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo in Delhi. The Ertiga rivalling Mobilio will be produced at the company’s facility in Greater Noida. Honda India made a grand comeback first with the Amaze compact sedan and then with the new City in the Indian market with the addition of a diesel engine. The company saw a steep growth of 83.4 percent in the financial year 2013-14, with a cumulative sales of 1,34,338 units.
