Honda Motor Co. Targets India Growth with 10+ New Models and 7 SUVs by 2030 in Aggressive Expansion Plan
- India Becomes a Priority Market for Honda
- India at the Heart of Honda’s Global EV Strategy
- Battery Supply and Localisation Plans
- Expanding Hybrid Offerings Alongside EVs
- Targeting Growth in India’s Booming SUV Segment
- Investments, Localisation, and R&D Expansion
- Exploring Flex-Fuel and Ethanol Technologies
- A Clear Roadmap Toward 2030
- Comment by Author
In a major strategic shift towards the Indian automotive market, Honda Motor Co. has announced an ambitious plan to launch 10 new models, including seven SUVs, by 2030. The Japanese automaker is gearing up for a strong comeback in India with a renewed focus on electrification, localisation, and exports, reflecting its commitment to make India a core pillar of its global operations.
In an exclusive interaction with The Financial Express, Toshihiro Mibe, President, CEO & Representative Director of Honda Motor Co., outlined the company’s “India-first” approach, highlighting its plans to introduce the Zero Series Alpha EV in India by 2027 — a model that will also be exported to Japan and other Asian markets.
India Becomes a Priority Market for Honda
“India is going to be a priority market, and that’s where we want to spend more effort,” Mibe said, emphasizing Honda’s renewed strategic focus on the country. A dedicated project team has been set up to design the company’s long-term strategy for India, with electrification (EVs) as a key component.
The company aims to roll out 10 or more new models by 2030, targeting both high-volume and premium segments. Among these, seven will be SUVs, acknowledging the dominance of this segment in India’s fast-evolving automotive landscape.
The upcoming Zero Series Alpha SUV will be manufactured at Honda Cars India’s facility, where the City, Amaze, and Elevate models are currently produced. Honda plans to utilize existing components from the Elevate while introducing the unique design philosophy and technology of the Zero Series to develop a completely new SUV tailored for Indian consumers.
India at the Heart of Honda’s Global EV Strategy
Honda’s Zero Series platform represents its next-generation electric vehicle lineup, designed to offer a range of EVs suited to different global markets. Mibe explained that while larger Zero Series models are being developed for North America and Japan, the Zero Alpha is being strategically designed for India and other emerging markets.
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“We plan to export the Zero Alpha from India to Japan and other Asian markets,” Mibe said, confirming India’s role as a manufacturing and export hub for Honda’s global EV ambitions.
By tailoring products to regional preferences and leveraging India’s cost competitiveness, Honda aims to balance affordability with technology advancement, positioning the Zero Alpha as a key model in its EV portfolio.
Battery Supply and Localisation Plans
Discussing the company’s battery strategy, Mibe revealed that while Honda will use CATL technology, the battery cells will be sourced from Indonesia. These cells will then be assembled and integrated into vehicles in India, creating a regional supply chain across Asia.
“Even though we are using CATL technology, the cells produced in Indonesia will be brought over to India,” Mibe said. This approach aligns with Honda’s focus on cost efficiency and supply stability for its EV rollout.
Expanding Hybrid Offerings Alongside EVs
In addition to its EV push, Honda plans to expand its hybrid vehicle range in India. The Honda City Hybrid is already on sale, and the company intends to introduce more hybrid models to cater to customers transitioning from conventional engines to electric powertrains.
“We will deliver attractive products across all categories — gasoline, hybrid, and battery EVs — to our customers in India,” Mibe confirmed.
Of the seven planned SUVs, some will be global models, while others will be specially developed for the Indian market, all to be manufactured locally.
Targeting Growth in India’s Booming SUV Segment
Currently, Honda holds less than a 5% market share in India — a figure the company aims to significantly improve with its upcoming launches. Mibe acknowledged that previous streamlining of product lines limited growth but added that Honda is now ready to expand aggressively.
The automaker is keenly eyeing the sub-4-metre SUV segment, which continues to drive India’s sales growth. “We recognise that the sub-4-metre SUV segment is a main area of growth, and we are prepared to enter this segment,” Mibe said.
Investments, Localisation, and R&D Expansion
While specific investment figures have not been disclosed, Mibe confirmed that significant capital infusion is being planned for India. The proposal will soon be presented to Takashi Nakajima, President & CEO of Honda Cars India.
“Our primary objective will be to increase localisation and strengthen R&D,” Mibe said. The automaker plans to collaborate with local suppliers to enhance cost competitiveness and improve manufacturing efficiency.
This approach reflects Honda’s long-term commitment to India not just as a sales market but as a strategic production and innovation base for future mobility solutions.
Exploring Flex-Fuel and Ethanol Technologies
Honda is also closely monitoring India’s shift towards flex-fuel and ethanol-based vehicles. Drawing from its experience in Brazil, where Honda has successfully sold flex-fuel vehicles for years, Mibe said the company is ready to adapt its technology for India once ethanol becomes more widely available.
“As ethanol fuels become more prevalent in India, we will take a call on introducing those options,” he stated.
A Clear Roadmap Toward 2030
With 10 new models, seven SUVs, a dedicated EV production plan, and the Zero Alpha SUV leading its electrification journey, Honda’s India strategy represents one of its most comprehensive and future-ready plans to date.
By integrating EVs, hybrids, and localized R&D, and positioning India as a manufacturing and export hub, Honda aims to regain market momentum and play a pivotal role in India’s transition to clean mobility.
As the Indian automotive sector surges toward electrification, Honda’s aggressive roadmap underscores its long-term confidence in India’s potential as both a growth market and a global EV powerhouse.
Comment by Author
Honda’s renewed commitment to India marks a defining moment in the country’s evolving automotive landscape. The company’s decision to launch 10 new models, including seven SUVs, by 2030, along with the introduction of its Zero Series Alpha EV, signals a strong comeback and a clear acknowledgment of India’s role in the global EV ecosystem.
By emphasizing local manufacturing, regional supply chains, and R&D expansion, Honda is not just adapting to India — it’s aligning its global ambitions with the nation’s electrification goals. This strategy reflects a broader shift among global automakers who now view India not merely as a market but as a strategic hub for innovation, production, and exports.
If executed as planned, Honda’s 2030 roadmap could well redefine its presence in India and strengthen the country’s position in the global EV value chain.
