Honda eyes existing patrons for new CR-V sales

Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) will target its existing customers with the company's newly launched CR-V that combines the features of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and the comfort of a sedan.

The vehicle has already evinced significant interest from customers and the company has a longish list of enquiries. This is the third generation of CR-V being launched across India, Munaf Meghani, head of sales (Western zone) of HSCI,
said after the launch in Pune today.

The company will target its existing customers with the new product and also pitch for business from 'the young audience with an average age of 35-40 years, as the new CR-V is meant for the educated, tech-savvy, well-travelled and adventurous," he added.

Describing the new features added to third version of the car, Meghani said it had a much flexible tilt and telescopic steering, driver-side 8-way power seat adjustment, dual climate control air-conditioner and latest music system. The new CR-V will be available for Rs 21.16 lakh (manual transmission) and Rs 22 lakh (automatic transmission) in Pune. 

Meghani said the company expects to sell about 1200 units of the CR-V per year. He said the company is planning to expand its production capacity at its plant in Noida, U.P. He did not disclose the exact nature of expansion, but said the company has plans to invest Rs 430 crore in the expansion which will be complete in one year. Sources however indicate that the company's manufacturing capacity is expected to rise to 60,000 from the 40,000 per now.

Meghani said the CR-V cars are being imported as complete built units (CBUs) from Honda Motors' Thailand manufacturing facility. Since it's launch in 2003, 5547 units of the CR-V have been sold in India while world-wide the car has sold 2.5 million units since its debut in 1995, he said.

Meghani also stated the company has been considering to set up its second plant in India though the location has yet not been finalised. "Many states including Maharashtra are being considered but no decision has been made so far," Meghani said.