Thaindian News

New Delhi, Sep 27 (IANS) Japanese automobile major Honda’s Indian subsidiary Tuesday launched its entry-level hatchback Brio, priced in the range of Rs.3.95 lakh to Rs.5.10 lakh.

“We have been able to launch the Brio at a competitive price due to our concerted efforts to control costs, maximize production efficiencies and minimize impact of currency fluctuations,” said Takashi Nagai, president and chief executive Honda Siel Cars India.

According to the company, the car has a mileage of 18.4 kms per litre and comes with nearly 80 percent local parts. The car’s deliveries would start after Oct 10.

“The Brio marks our entry in the volume car segment. We want the quality that is expected out of the Honda cars to be maintained and that we will increase production steadily after receiving customer response,” Nagai said.

Currently the company’s Greater Noida plant has an installed capacity of one lakh units per annum which can be increased to 1.2 lakh units per annum.

“We have adequate number of cars with us to showcase in our dealerships and to start deliveries from next month. The car would be produced at the Greater Noida plant.”

Asked about the export version of the car, Nagai said: “We have just launched the car in India and would focus on sales here. We will consider the option of exporting the Brio to neighbouring countries of Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.”

The car is powered by a four cylinder 1.2 litre i-Vtec power engine which delivers maximum power output of 88 ps at 6,000 RPM. The car comes with a five speed manual transmission.

“The car is designed to be lightweight in nature. High tensile steel is used in some key areas and there is a large glass hatchback. All this has reduced the need for reinforcements, thus reducing weight, and increasing mileage. High tensile steel has also been used in some key areas,” a company official said.

The car is available in four variants which come with a two-year or 40,000 km warranty.