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Japanese carmaker Honda's premium hatchback Jazz today made a comeback in the Indian market, with the third-generation version of the model priced between Rs 5.3 lakh and Rs 8.59 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
The car, which would compete with the likes of Maruti Suzuki Swift and Hyundai Motor Elite i20, is powered by both petrol and diesel engines.
The petrol variants of the car are priced between Rs 5.3 lakh and Rs 7.29 lakh, while the diesel versions are priced between Rs 6.49 and Rs 8.59 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
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Automatic variants of the car are priced in the range Rs 6.99 lakh to Rs 7.85 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) President and CEO Katsushi Inoue said: "The all new Jazz would be instrumental in driving the growth for Honda Cars in India."
Asia Honda Motor Co President and Director Noriaki Abe said, "Jazz has played a significant role in boosting our business globally and I am confident that it will replicate the same success in India."
Elaborating on the importance of the Indian market, Abe said it is now the fourth largest market for Honda globally and contributed around 30% of sales in the Asia and Oceanic region sales.
Since 2013, Honda has invested over Rs 3,000 crore in the Indian car business, with major part of the investment going into the company' s plant in Tapukara, Rajasthan, he added.
Jazz is being manufactured at HCIL's Tapukara plant where it is investing Rs 380 crore to expand production capacity to 1.80 lakh units annually from 1.20 lakh units.
The petrol variants, including the automatic version, sports 1.2 litre engine. The 1.5 litre diesel engine, which powers the Amaze, Mobilio and City, would also be used in the new Jazz.
India is the first country where Jazz would be offered with a diesel powertrain engine. Honda officials confirmed that there is no plan to introduce a diesel Jazz anywhere in the world apart from India.
