Honda Civic Hybrid in india

Making a statement of its commitment to protect the environment, Japanese car major Honda on Wednesday launched the first hybrid car in India, Civic Hybrid, priced at Rs 21.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).The car is powered by a 1.3 litre petrol engine and an electric motor that deliver 47 per cent enhanced fuel efficiency than a regular 1.8 litre Civic automatic transmission.

Developed way back in 1999, the Civic Hybrid has sold over 2,60,000 units across the world and India is the 33rd country where Honda has launched the car.

“This is yet another step to strengthen Honda’s presence in India in line with our long term goal of bringing eco friendly vehicles,” Honda Siel Car India president and CEO Masahiro Takedawa said in New Delhi.

He said the company was not looking at volumes from the car but “is an opportunity to offer to customers technology we have. It is a Honda statement to protect the environment”.

“So far we have received over 100 inquiries from the 80 dealerships we have across India,” Takedagawa said, however, adding bringing the car to India was a challenging task.

“We have to set an entirely new standard for testing and homologating this car in collaboration with Automotive Research Association of India as, there were no regulations earlier,” he said.