Honda will make the world debut of the Urban SUV Concept at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in January.
The Honda Urban SUV Concept, teased in a sketch, is a global concept model combining a sporty and dynamic SUV profile with a spacious, functional interior. The production model could be released in 2014 and will sit on the new Jazz and City platform.
India connection
The Urban SUV Concept is certainly destined for the Indian market and will be locally assembled along-side the Jazz and City. Honda announced its plans for the ASEAN market in September which mentioned India to play a very important role for its future expansions.
Honda will implement global operation reform, which will enable Honda to realize the best vehicle specifications with competitive costs. Three key initiatives which will be taken as a part of this global operation reform are: 1) concurrent development by all six regions, 2) adoption of locally optimized design drawings and 3) improvement of production efficiency.
This global operation reform has been implemented for the development of the all-new Fit (Jazz) series which will be introduced starting in 2013. Within two years after the initial market introduction of the all-new Fit in 2013, Honda will globally roll-out Fit (Jazz), City and a new small SUV model, each with different individual characteristics.
Honda will launch the Amaze sedan in India in 2013 and will be the first market in the world to get a diesel motor under its hood. This event will also mark its diesel innings in India which was absent since it first made its entry in India.
Renault Duster has become a big hit in the Indian market and Ford will soon join the group with the launch of the EcoSport. Honda will have to break through the establish brands if it wants to make a mark in this new Urban SUV segment.
