Honda Plans Localised Hybrid SUVs & Next-Gen City Hybrid For India

Honda to launch localised hybrid SUVs and next-gen City hybrid in India

Honda is preparing a new wave of hybrid vehicles specifically designed for the domestic market, building on its experience with the City e:HEV. While the City hybrid demonstrated Honda’s technical capabilities, its heavy reliance on imported components and a steep starting price of Rs. 20.85 lakhs limited its reach among Indian buyers.

Learning from that experience, Honda is now adopting a more market-focused hybrid strategy, centred around greater localisation and affordability.

PF2 Platform to Drive Honda’s New Hybrid Line-Up

At the heart of Honda’s upcoming hybrid portfolio for India is the PF2 platform, a modular, hybrid-compatible architecture tailored to suit both Indian conditions and consumer expectations. Unlike the current City e:HEV, future hybrid models from Honda will use a significantly localised production approach, improving price competitiveness and ensuring alignment with the growing demand for fuel-efficient, lower-emission vehicles.

The PF2 platform will underpin a range of products, including SUVs, crossovers, and the next-generation City sedan. This new line-up is expected to target the Rs. 15 lakhs to Rs. 30 lakhs price segment, a space where demand for hybrid technology is forecasted to grow, especially as Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations become increasingly stringent.

SUVs, Crossovers and Sedans on the Horizon

Honda’s upcoming hybrid offerings are likely to include not just sedans but also new SUVs and crossovers, categories seeing rising consumer interest in India. By focusing on local production and platform flexibility, the Japanese carmaker aims to strike a better balance between pricing, performance, fuel efficiency and market viability.

This revised approach follows similar strategies adopted by other global manufacturers, including Hyundai, Skoda and Volkswagen, all of whom are now actively reshaping their hybrid plans to meet evolving Indian market dynamics.

Honda’s latest efforts also reflect its broader global commitment to electrification, which prioritises hybrids as a transition technology towards achieving lower emissions without compromising performance or affordability.

Honda’s future hybrid line-up for India marks a strategic shift toward localisation and affordability. With the PF2 platform at its core, the brand is set to introduce hybrid SUVs, crossovers and sedans that are better aligned with Indian market expectations, regulatory norms and the growing appeal of electrified mobility.