The Elevate is Honda’s take on the midsize SUV segment that includes rivals like the Creta, Seltos and Grand Vitara, among others.
Honda unveiled its India-focused Elevate SUV today, and, at the same event, also confirmed that it has lined up four more SUVs for India. Bookings for the Honda Elevate will commence next month, with its launch set to take place ahead of the festive season.
- Made-in-India Honda Elevate to be exported globally
- Honda Elevate EV in the works
- Plans to bring in premium models as CBUs, CKDs
Honda’s SUV gameplan for India
Takuya Tsumura, president and CEO of Honda Cars India said, “We have planned a very robust product strategy for India. We plan to have five SUVs by 2030. While India will be a lead market for the Elevate, it will also be a key export hub for the model in the future. Honda Cars India also plans to bring the electric version of Elevate to the market in the next three years.”
Earlier this year, Honda had shared its plan to introduce one new model every year in India, starting in 2024, which will include hybrids and EVs. The brand has also confirmed that it will introduce the Elevate EV in the Indian market in the next three years.
To reinforce the Honda brand in the country, the company is, yet again, exploring the potential of bringing in premium models through the CBU and CKD route to India.
Elevate being positioned as a Creta rival
Honda’s entry in the midsize SUV segment happens at a time when SUVs have begun dominating the market accounting for over 40 percent of the overall market. The Honda Elevate will be positioned in the midsize SUV market, which has become the second biggest sub-segment in the market. The model will take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara.
The company says that the Elevate will be its third key pillar for the Indian market – after City and Amaze – and it will help build its presence in the fast growing segment.
“Despite significant challenges, India has proven its strength and continues to remain the fastest growing market in the world. We have a huge popularity in the sedan segment and hope to translate that into the SUV segment. Elevate is the perfect urban SUV,” added Tsumura.
Elevate to be built at Tapukara facility
To create space for the Elevate and future products, the company has ramped up production at its plant in Tapukara, Rajasthan, with the daily manufacturing capacity increased to 660 vehicles per day from 540 vehicles in Q1 of 2023.
Honda dealership network upgraded ahead of Elevate launch
From a branding and retail perspective, Honda Cars India has invested Rs 260 crore in the new customer interface (CI) of its showrooms that’s being rolled out with the new SUV’s launch. In terms of its present footprint, the brand has about 326 outlets across 238 cities, and says there is a strong traction for its existing offerings in smaller cities. The company claims that Tier 3 cities account for about 30 percent of its overall sales. Honda will launch the Elevate in India first, followed by other global markets.