Honda to increase car production to 1 lakh

Considering the huge demand for its premium cars HSCI plans to increase production to 62,000 this year onwards.

To meet the growing demand for its different models, Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) planned to increase the production to one lakh by 2008, a senior company official said on Saturday.

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HSCI, which produced 42,000 premium segment cars for the domestic market, was unable to meet the increased requirement and would enhance the production to 62,000 from this financial year that would go up to one lakh in 2007-08, Vikram Juneja, Regional Head, Sales (South), told.

Considering the huge demand and potential buyers, HSIC with facility in Greater Noida, may increase production to two lakh cars by 2010, and would go for a second plant either in Maharastra, Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu, he said.

Juneja, here to launch 'Honda Civic' car, however, ruled out the possibility of introducing diesel engine model, since the customers in India preferred pleasure driving, without compromising on fuel efficiency.

When asked about entering small car market, he said that the company was carrying out a study and the matter would be decided after it.

Pointing out that about 2,500 bookings had been made for 'Civic' within nine months of its launch in India, Juneja said the car had been modified to suit Indian road conditions.