Honda has been aggressively launching new products in India directly rivalling market leaders across various segments. After taking on Maruti Suzuki with the Amaze, Honda plans to take on the highly successful Toyota Innova with its Freed MPV. This will be the second utility vehicle from the Japanese automaker following the Mobilio which will go on sale in India next year. The Honda Freed is a 7-seater utility vehicle and will be launched in 2016. It will be localised heavily for an aggressive price tag.
The Honda Freed and Toyota Innova are currently being developed since both the models are due for a next generation update. The Innova has not had any solid competitor since its launch and is a well established segment leader. Honda will have to come up with a product that not only matches the Innova, but also excels on various fronts. The current generation Honda Freed MPV on sale in other global markets is based on the Jazz platform. It has a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine producing 118 BHP of power and 148 Nm torque and is mated to a 5-speed automatic gearbox.
Since its debut in 2005, Toyota has sold around 4.5 lakh units of the Innova making it the company’s most successful vehicle in India. It is priced between Rs. 9.77 lakhs and Rs. 15.06 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi). The Honda Freed needs to be priced right if it has to seriously compete against the Innova in a price sensitive market such as India. However, Toyota also cannot take its competitors lightly and has to come back better than ever with its next generation Innova. Maruti Suzuki is also working on an Innova competitor for a 2017 launch.
The Honda Freed is expected to be launched in many ASEAN countries by mid next year and in India by 2016. Mobilio, the first Honda MPV due to be launched in India will be showcased at the upcoming Auto Expo in New Delhi. The Japanese automaker is betting heavily on the utility vehicle segment globally for increased market share and volumes.
Source – Economic Times
