[TusharK]

According to a media report, Honda plans to set up an EV manufacturing hub in India. Under Project ACE, which stands for ‘Asian Compact Electric’, the carmaker plans to export 50-70% of the vehicles produced in India to overseas markets, including Japan.



An electric SUV based on the Honda Elevate is likely to be one of the first products under Project ACE. The Elevate EV (codenamed: DG9D) is said to have a potential annual volume of 1 lakh units and will debut around 2026.

Efforts are already being made to prepare the Tapukara plant for EV production. It has been confirmed by Honda Cars India that the retooling process will begin in 2024.

Honda’s Tapukara plant has sufficient capacity to accommodate another model line. That being said, the carmaker is open to increasing the capacity, especially since the factory will not only serve the domestic market but will be a global hub for exports.

Reports suggest that Honda Car India’s exports are likely to double by 2025, with export volumes making up around 30-40% of the total output.

Source: Autocar India

Link to Team-BHP News

[dynacarsboy]

Although this is an obvious step in the right direction for honda, I personally think that its a tad to late for them to enter into that space considering that Creta EV would come on 2025 along with the newer BE models from Mahindra and the Tata Curvv EV likely to eat into the numbers of that segment , lets not forget the c3 aircross ev that's bound to come into that segment.


To be frank, Honda needs to do something out of the blue, to carve its own niche in that segment . I think them bringing revolutionary battery tech like solid state batteries might help them in capturing the segment

[petrocarb]

I believe Honda should introduce the Elevate PHEV ahead of their EV and set its price around the City PHEV range. This strategy would likely boost sales significantly before the launch of the EV, which is expected to remain a niche product for Honda in the Indian market in the short term.

[Palio_2005]

Typical Honda who are ever so slow in their reaction to the market. The need of the hour is a Hybrid. They have a hybrid system in their stable which is a good system as compared to Toyota. Sedan's are dying and yet they continue to be short sighted and not offer the hybrid system in Elevate.

This was a no brainer and only competition to Toyota/Suzuki. Would have helped them achieve much higher sales. EV could be introduced later as planned.

[Kris_risk]

After having test driven the Honda Elevate and just enamoured by the beautifully packaged product, the only thing that left me wondering is why - why not just launch the Elevate PHEV. It could have gone headon with the Grand Vitara and possibly scored better since the interior of the Elevate seemed like a much better place to be in (snug, clean, mature and comfortable).

I am still wondering - what could be the rationale at the Honda HQ to not release the Elevate PHEV since they already have the platform and the engine combo working well in the City (so it is not like they are to build something from scratch). Even if it was 22-25L, Elevate PHEV would likely be a well put-together product in comparison to the other competitors..

[Shresth_EV]

Originally Posted by Kris_risk

Why not just launch the Elevate PHEV. It could have gone headon with the Grand Vitara

since they already have the platform and the engine combo working well in the City (so it is not like they are to build something from scratch)

Originally Posted by petrocarb

I believe Honda should introduce the Elevate PHEV ahead of their EV and set its price around the City PHEV range.

Unless you specifically meant it that way, the City eHEV, GV and Hyryder are normal hybrids, not PHEVs

City doesn’t have a PHEV model even overseas

PHEV has a charge port and AC charging support to charge the battery instead of relying on the engine as generator

It also sacrifices boot space though — already GV/hyry lose 100L over non hybrid model (250L vs 350L)

[petrocarb]

Originally Posted by Shresth_EV

Unless you specifically meant it that way, the City eHEV, GV and Hyryder are normal hybrids, not PHEVs

City doesn’t have a PHEV model even overseas

PHEV has a charge port and AC charging support to charge the battery instead of relying on the engine as generator

It also sacrifices boot space though — already GV/hyry lose 100L over non hybrid model (250L vs 350L)

Oops, Yes I meant eHEV

[SithDefender]

The Elevate EV will be a great compact electric option and will likely be priced well. It may be a solid alternative to the Nexon EV, though the Creta EV will pander to the choices of the well heeled customer.