Honda's milestone move: Elevate SUV set for debut in Japan

Honda, the renowned Japanese automotive giant, is poised to introduce its mid-sized SUV, Elevate, into the Japanese market next year. This marks a significant milestone as it will be the first product from Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL), a wholly-owned subsidiary, to enter the tightly regulated Japanese market, reported PTI.

The Elevate, crafted by Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) at its Tapukara facility in Rajasthan, is set to make its debut in Japan in Spring 2024 under the brand name WR-V, as confirmed by an HCIL spokesperson.

This move signifies HCIL's groundbreaking venture, manufacturing a model in India for export to Japan for the first time. The spokesperson highlighted this as a testament to India's manufacturing capabilities, positioning the country as a pivotal export hub within Honda's global business strategy.

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Emphasizing the readiness of HCIL's Tapukara plant to cater to both domestic and export requirements, the spokesperson reiterated that Elevate had already made a successful entry into the Indian market in September this year. As part of its strategic roadmap, HCIL aims to unveil five SUV models in India by 2030, commencing with this launch.

Electric Evolution: Elevate's Next Phase

In a forward-looking approach, HCIL has plans to introduce a battery-electric variant of the Elevate within the next three years. Presently, the vehicle runs on a 1.5-liter petrol engine, coupled with a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a seven-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT).

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Notably, Honda Cars India previously announced intentions to introduce an all-electric version of the Elevate mid-size SUV by 2026. The company is now intensifying efforts to deliver an electric iteration of the Elevate within the next three years.

According to PTI, Takuya Tsumura, President and CEO of Honda Cars India, has underscored the company's dedication to developing a battery-electric variant of the Honda Elevate.