Honda Cars India to export 1,600 units of Brio

Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) intends to export 1,600 units of its hatchback Brio to the South African markets by the end of this financial year, even as it shipped the first tranche of 390 units to the country.

This is the first model from the company's stable to be exported to that country.
 
''We are delighted to flag off the first-ever Brio export consignment to South Africa. The expansion of Honda's export business is the first step towards developing India as another hub for export of certain models. It is also testimony to the quality of Honda cars and their components manufactured at our plants in India,'' HCIL President and Chief Executive Officer Hironori Kanayama said.

''We are planning to export more than 1,600 units of Brio to South Africa and SADC countries by March 2013. We are sure that the expansion of our export business will contribute to the growth of HCIL, the Indian automobile Industry and as business grows, to the economy,'' he added.

Honda Brio is currently manufactured in Honda's first plant located at Greater Noida and the export model will also be manufactured in the same plant. The engine and transmission components for the Brio sold in India and export market are being manufactured at Tapukara plant in Rajasthan.

The Honda Brio is set to go on sale in South Africa in early December 2012. The car will be sold through Honda Motor Southern Africa (HSAF) dealers in South Africa and through its distributors in SADC countries.

The passenger car manufacturer will also launch a diesel sedan, its first diesel car in the country. HCIL is also gearing up to launch the next version of its sports utility vehicle Honda CR-V next year, which will replace the existing version. At present, the Honda CR-V is imported from Japan as Completely Built Units.