Honda Plans To Introduce Three New Models By 2026-27

​Honda Cars India has announced ambitious plans to revamp its portfolio, with three new models slated for introduction in 2026-27. This is part of a broader strategy to launch five SUVs by the end of the decade, highlighting India’s pivotal role as a manufacturing and export hub.

“We are going to introduce three models in 2026-27,” said Takuya Tsumura, President and CEO of Honda Cars India. "By 2030, we will have five models. One is Elevate, and the other one is an electric vehicle based on Elevate. But actually, we are now planning to introduce more in the market.”

Reviving Market Share Through SUVs

Honda’s current share in India’s passenger vehicle market has dropped to below 1.5%, a stark decline from 2.4% in 2022-23. The drop has been largely attributed to waning demand for sedans, historically Honda’s core strength.

While the mid-size sedan City and compact sedan Amaze have been Honda’s flagbearers, the company recognized the need to pivot to SUVs, now accounting for more than half of all cars sold in India.

Honda’s mid-size SUV, the Elevate, launched during the 2023 festive season, marked the automaker’s entry into the highly competitive SUV segment. Despite the initial success of the Elevate, Honda acknowledges the need for an expanded SUV lineup to meet evolving customer preferences.

“The market shift is more towards SUVs. That is why we decided to put more models on the SUV side,” Tsumura explained.

Future Models and Powertrains

Honda’s upcoming lineup will include an electric SUV based on the Elevate and additional SUV models that cater to a variety of customer needs. While details remain under wraps, Ryuto Shimizu, Director of Marketing, hinted at innovations in powertrains: “At the moment, we are making the Indian customers wait a little bit more. But from 2026-27, we will be able to give good news regarding models and new powertrains. It is just about a matter of time.”

Financial Performance and Exports

Despite a 5% decline in domestic sales in 2023-24, totaling 86,584 units, Honda Cars India demonstrated resilience in exports. The company recorded a 64% growth in export volumes to 37,660 units, contributing to a 16% increase in revenue to ₹16,461 crore. Profit before tax grew by 25% to ₹1,029 crore, showcasing the brand’s strategic shift towards leveraging India as an export hub.

Legacy and Challenges in India

Honda entered the Indian market in 1995, establishing its reputation for quality and reliability. The 1998 launch of the Honda City set new benchmarks in the mid-size sedan category, becoming synonymous with premium appeal and robust engineering. Over time, models like the Civic and Accord catered to aspirational buyers but struggled with mass-market penetration due to premium pricing.

Compact offerings like the Jazz and Brio faced mixed fortunes, while the Amaze became a strong player in the compact sedan segment, particularly with its diesel variant. However, Honda’s delay in capitalizing on the booming SUV segment, with earlier models like the CR-V and WR-V underperforming which left a gap in its product strategy.

The Road Ahead

Honda Cars India’s renewed focus on SUVs aims to realign the brand with market trends and customer expectations. By committing to a diversified lineup and innovative powertrain technologies, the automaker seeks to address its current market challenges and build a sustainable future in India.

As Honda prepares for the next phase of growth, the company is banking on its global expertise, robust engineering, and India’s growing role as an export hub to deliver a stronger and more competitive portfolio.

With three models on the horizon and a plan for five SUVs by 2030, Honda Cars India is determined to reclaim its position in one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets.

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