After Suzuki, Toyota, and Hyundai, Honda Motor Company has joined the league of global automakers announcing major product offensives in India. Having lagged in its portfolio expansion so far, the Japanese carmaker is now gearing up for an aggressive comeback with plans to launch 10 new models by 2030, including seven SUVs.
“We are coming up with a very aggressive model launch plan. We are planning to launch 10 or more models by 2030. We are considering a wider range of options — products where we can aim for high volume, as well as premium offerings,” Honda President and CEO Toshihiro Mibe told reporters at the Japan Mobility Show.
“And then, for the SUVs, which have become mainstream in India, our plan is for seven models by 2030.” Of the seven SUV models, a few will be global products making their debut in India, while the rest will be designed exclusively to suit the preferences of Indian buyers.
The renewed push is critical for Honda, which has been losing market share due to its limited portfolio. The company currently fields just three models — the Elevate mid-size SUV and the City and Amaze sedans.
With the Elevate struggling to gain ground against segment leaders like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, and its traditional sedan stronghold facing a market shift toward SUVs, new products are vital to keep Honda relevant in the competitive Indian market.
Honda’s management said India has emerged as one of the company’s key priority markets, alongside North America and Japan, prompting the creation of a dedicated project team to craft a renewed strategy for the country.
“That is the market where we want to focus our efforts going forward. Within Honda, we’ve established a project team specifically for the Indian market, and the team is working on developing a comprehensive strategy for India,” the management said.
The automaker also unveiled the 0 Series SUV at the Japan Mobility Show, and it’s planned for launch in India in 2026. The product will be manufactured in India and exported to Japan and other Asian markets.
The SUV will share key components with the Elevate while introducing a new architecture and software-ready design.
“Because it is going to be an SUV, we will make maximum use of Elevate components and combine them with the Zero Series concept to create a completely new product,” the management said.
Acknowledging the rapid transformation in the global automotive landscape, Honda noted that market shares are shifting significantly, driven in part by the growing influence of Chinese OEMs in international markets.
“The market has been changing, and the global market share of different companies is shifting drastically — especially because of Chinese OEMs, which are expanding rapidly into world markets. Honda, too, has felt the impact of this trend in China and across Asia. However, our key global markets remain North America, Japan, and India,” the company added.