Honda: "The most trusted automotive brand in India"

Sourya Biswas spoke with Jnaneswar Sen, senior general manager, marketing at Honda Siel Cars India on various issues concerning the company, in an exclusive conversation with domain-b. (View exclusive domain-b video interview with Jnaneswar Sen)

What made Honda the most trusted automotive brand of 2007?
Honda has actually had a very good run in India and what people really admire, and thus makes it the most trusted brand is one, because of its products, which are high in durability, reliability and quality, what we call DQR, high fuel-efficiency, good styling and excellent resale value….so the overall cost of ownership is highly competitive, and our dealers give excellent service, of course. So that's why it is the most trusted brand in India.

Honda seems all set to enter the hatchback race with the Jazz. Can you tell us a bit more about this car?
Jazz is one of the options that we are looking at, at this point of time. We plan to come out with a very premium hatchback in the second half of 2009, and Jazz is one of the two options we have in mind.

The Civic hybrid is supposed to be launched soon. When can we expect it on the Indian roads and what kind of experience will it offer?
We are going to launch it within 2008. In terms of looks, it's as exciting-looking as the Honda Civic we are so familiar with. What sets it apart is that, without compromising on performance, because of the advanced hybrid technology called IMA technology, it will give 60% more mileage.

How is Honda responding to the challenge of the Maruti SX4 which is the hottest competitor to Honda's bestseller the City? Don't you think the City is a trifle underpowered fro its segment?
Well, India is an expanding market and competition is always welcome. Because of the expanding market, there's room for everybody. Despite a lot of competition, the Honda City ZX remains the market leader in the C segment,  and as far as ''underpowered'' is concerned, we have a V-TEC version of the City as well which is 100 BHP, so people who want to go after power can use our V-TEC. As far as the i-DSI engine is concerned, it is 77 BHP, but if you look at the torque distribution….you drive the car in the city, you don't feel any lack of power.

The current Honda Accord has been selling well vis-à-vis its main competitor the Camry. What sets the new Honda Accord apart from the old one?
Like the Honda City, the Honda Accord is also the segment leader in that particular segment. The new eighth-generation Honda Accord which we will launch this summer is basically in line with our philosophy that our valued customers in India demand the latest global products from us. So even though the current Accord is the bestseller in its segment, this summer we will replace it with the new eighth-generation Accord.

The CR-V is more of a soft-roader than a true-blue SUV. Does Honda have any plans for this fast-growing segment?
Well, the CR-V is a soft-roader and also a leader in its segment. It is a real-time 4-wheel drive vehicle with a 2.4L i-VTEC engine. In fact, just today we have launched a new variant of the CR-V which is a 2L, 2-wheel drive and we will be as agile as the former. But, it will give higher fuel efficiency.