Why did Honda stop Civic in India?
The Honda Civic, a globally popular sedan known for its reliability and performance, was discontinued in India in 2020. This decision left many car enthusiasts and loyal customers wondering why Honda chose to pull the plug on such an iconic model in the Indian market. In this article, we’ll explore the key reasons behind this move and what it means for the Indian automotive landscape.
1. Declining Demand for Sedans in India
One of the primary reasons for discontinuing the Honda Civic in India was the declining demand for sedans. Over the past decade, Indian consumers have increasingly shifted their preference toward SUVs and compact SUVs, which offer better ground clearance, a commanding driving position, and more versatility for Indian road conditions. This trend has significantly impacted the sales of sedans, including the Civic.
2. High Price Point
The Honda Civic was positioned as a premium sedan in India, which placed it in a higher price bracket. While the car offered advanced features, a refined engine, and a luxurious interior, its price made it less competitive compared to similarly priced SUVs that offered more space and practicality. This pricing mismatch further contributed to its limited appeal among Indian buyers.
3. Production Challenges and Cost Efficiency
Honda decided to shut down its manufacturing plant in Greater Noida, where the Civic and CR-V were assembled. This move was part of a larger restructuring plan to optimize production costs and focus on more profitable models. With the closure of this plant, the production of the Civic became unviable, leading to its discontinuation in the Indian market.
4. Focus on High-Volume Segments
Honda has been realigning its strategy in India to focus on high-volume segments such as compact sedans (e.g., Honda Amaze) and SUVs (e.g., Honda City Hybrid and Honda Elevate). These segments have shown consistent growth and align better with the preferences of Indian consumers. By discontinuing the Civic, Honda aimed to allocate its resources more effectively to cater to these growing segments.
5. Impact of BS6 Emission Norms
The introduction of stricter BS6 emission norms in India also played a role in the Civic's discontinuation. Upgrading engines to meet these norms requires significant investment, and for a low-volume model like the Civic, the cost of compliance outweighed the potential returns. This made it less feasible for Honda to continue offering the Civic in India.
Conclusion
The discontinuation of the Honda Civic in India was a result of multiple factors, including changing consumer preferences, pricing challenges, production restructuring, and regulatory compliance costs. While the Civic remains a beloved model globally, its exit from the Indian market highlights the dynamic nature of the automotive industry and the need for manufacturers to adapt to evolving market trends. For Indian car enthusiasts, the hope remains that Honda might reintroduce the Civic in the future, perhaps in a new avatar that aligns better with the market's demands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there no Honda Civic in India?
Little long answer: Honda's Rajasthan plant can not manufacture Civic. It was possible to manufacture in Greater Noida plant. As you might know that GN plant has been closed likely for good. So they will not be able to manufacture Civic.
Is Civic coming back to India?
Honda Cars India launches the Iconic All-New 10th Generation Honda Civic in India.
Why is Honda shutting down in India?
Honda cars shutting down? – No! To answer your question, we firmly believe Honda cars is positive about the Indian auto market and will not be leaving the country anytime. Hang around till the end and in this story we tell you all about the brand's current products, sales and future plans.
Why was Civic discontinued in India?
Honda discontinued it for the simple reason that despite Civic was a great car back in the day (much better than many similar cars in today's market as well, IMO), it wasn't able to sell much due its low ground clearance.
Why Honda Civic is popular in USA?
Generational Appeal
Its ability to evolve while maintaining its core values of efficiency, reliability, and affordability has ensured its popularity across generations. Whether it's the sporty Civic Si or the high-performance Civic Type R, there's a Civic for every enthusiast.
Why Honda cars failed in India?
The company failed to come out with diesel versions of its cars in India. That meant some of the popular models of Honda India like Honda City, which had been a market leader in its segment for 13 years in a row before 2011, lost their market share.
Will Civic come back to India?
2024 Honda Civic first look reveals slightly updated exterior. To go on sale later this year in US with a hybrid powertrain. Will it come to India? For now, there is no official word from Honda Car India but Indian enthusiasts hope that they bring it back in its latest avatar via CBU or CKD route.
Why did Honda stop the Accord in India?
Weak market response and diminishing sales compelled the auto maker to stop production of the model. Accord was priced between Rs. 20.44 lakh and Rs. 21.23 lakh.
Will the Honda Civic come back to India?
2025 Honda Civic - India Launch
The 2025 Honda Civic will initially be launched in the US followed by other markets. There is no confirmation on whether the 2024 Civic will be launched in India, however, we all hope that Honda plans to bring back its competitive sedan via the CBU or CKD route in India.
Is Toyota leaving India?
Toyota has no plans to leave India as of now. However, due to our country's high tax regime, they have decided not to expand further in India. However, they have informed that they have no plans to exit India too. They will continue to sell what they are selling right now.
