Honda to invest Rs 2,500 crore in Tapukara plant

Honda Cars India Limited(HCIL) has announced a Rs.2,500 crore investment in Tapukara plant and the addition of a new assembly line to increase production capacity. Tapukara plant, located in district Alwar of Rajasthan, has an annual installed capacity of 1,20,000 units and will feature a new diesel engine component production line along with a forging plant. Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, Representative of Development, Purchasing and Production in Asia and Oceania Region, Hondoa Motor Company, Japan stated, “India is a key market for us and over the next three years, HCIL will launch five important models including the Amaze”. Matsumoto is now the President and CEO of Honda Motor India Pvt Ltd (HMIPL), a subsidiary of Honda Motor Company. Also present on the event was Hironori Kanayama, President and CEO, HCIL who mentioned that by foraying in the diesel segment, HCIL’s operating field will spread from 10pc to 50pc in the total passenger vehicle market in the coming years. Honda also unveiled their new diesel engine which will debut in the soon to be launched Honda Amaze. The new 1.5 litre i-DTEC engine has been specifically developed for the Indian market. The engine produces 98.6bhp and returns a fuel efficiency figure of 25.8kmpl. Amaze is scheduled to be launched on the April 11, 2013; however Honda has already opened bookings from April 1.