Honda plans to launch four new models in India by 2015

Aiming to garner a larger pie in the automobile market, Japanese car maker Honda plans to launch four new models in India by 2015, a top company official said on Wednesday.

The proposed models include an upgraded variant of its highly popular compact hatchback Jazz, a compact SUV, a seven seater multi-purpose vehicle and an upgraded City, said Jnaneswar Sen, senior vice-president of sales and marketing at Honda Cars India Ltd.

Honda Cars India currently sells the Brio, Amaze, City, CRV and Accord in the country, and has about 150 dealers.

"We are planning to launch four more models. We will start with next generation Jazz, two new models in new segments - a seven seater MPV and a compact SUV - and an upgraded City," Mr Sen told reporters in Chennai.

Asked about the industry reporting a decline in sales for the last seven months, he said Honda Cars India registered a 35 per cent growth in sales for the financial year ended March 31, 2013.

In 2011-12, the company had sold 54,427 units, and it witnessed a 35 per cent jump in sales at 73,483 units in 2012-13, he said.

For this financial year, the company expects to sell about one lakh units, he said.

The company has planned to increase its dealership outlets to 162 during this financial year, Mr Sen added.