Honda Cars India Ltd, a leading manufacturer of passenger cars in India, today kick-started its celebrations to commemorate 25 successful years of Honda City in India.
Honda City started its journey in India in 1998, and now in its fifth generation avatar, it has remained the longest-running mainstream model in Indian automotive history.
The Honda City is an extremely strong aspirational brand for achievers and enjoys huge brand loyalty amongst its customers.
Synonymous with the brand Honda, the City has been a key pillar of business for HCIL since the company’s inception and has cumulatively provided pride and joy of driving to more than 9 lakh customers in India and its export markets.
India is the largest and most important market for the Honda City sedan, accounting for over 28% of the car’s sales in Honda’s Asia Oceania region (Jan-Aug’22).
In line with Honda’s global vision to realize carbon neutrality and zero collision fatalities by 2050, HCIL launched the Honda City e:HEV in 2022, which marked the beginning of Honda’s electrification journey in India.
- Longest running mainstream model in the Indian automotive history
- Iconic and largest selling mid-size sedan in India
- Strong legacy of 5 generations since its first introduction in 1998
- Cumulative sales of more than 9 lakh units in domestic and export market
- Latest introduction of Honda City e:HEV sets a technology precedent in electrified era of mobility in India with Strong Hybrid Electric Technology alongside advanced safety of Honda Sensing features.
“This is a landmark year for the Honda brand in India. Our most successful model Honda City is among India’s most loved car brands. As the model turns 25 years young, we express our gratitude to all our customers and partners who have supported us over the years and invite everyone to continue to be with us on the journey ahead. Honda City’s Silver Jubilee celebrations are being organized across our pan-India dealer network of 330 facilities in 242 cities. We are taking this opportunity to engage with our consumers and Honda City fans. A communication campaign around this special milestone will also be promoted extensively on digital and social mediums.”
Mr. Takuya Tsumura, President & CEO Honda Cars India Limited, said,
“Further to the launch of the 5th generation City in 2020, we introduced Honda City e:HEV this year as India’s first mainstream model with Strong Hybrid Electric Technology. This model will play a key role in Honda’s electrified vehicle plans in the country going forward,”
he added.
Honda City began as an Asian model before becoming a worldwide brand that is now offered in 80 countries. The cumulative sales of the City series are currently 4.5 Mn units globally.
The City’s strong popularity is testament to the pioneering work of Honda engineers over the last several decades, as each generation of Honda City reinvented itself according to the evolving needs and aspirations of the consumers setting new benchmarks in design, technology, performance, safety, space and comfort.
Each Honda is created with exacting attention to detail, innovation in design and unmatched engineering, making Honda one of the most admired, respected, and cherished automobile brands the world over.
The Honda City bears the same pedigree and provides a fine combination of Fun to Drive, Comfort, Stability, Unparalleled performance, and a host of safety technologies that are the hallmark of every Honda automobile.
With its five cutting-edge generations leading the way in design, technology, safety & comfort, Honda City has carved a name for itself in the Indian automobile industry for 25 years. Aspirants and enthusiasts alike have praised the Honda City since its debut in 1998.
1ST GENERATION: 1998 – 2003
Honda City’s first-generation model was sold in India between 1998 -2003 and was based on sixth generation Honda Civic (FERIO).
The VTEC Hyper 16 valve engine that produced a 106hp peak power in first-gen City was one of the fastest machines of its time, and it instantly struck the right chord among general consumers and racing enthusiasts.
2ND GENERATION: 2003 – 2008
The second-generation Honda City was conceptualized on the Honda Jazz platform, designed with a fuel tank at the center of the car, known as the ‘Centre tank layout.’ Due to this innovation made the second generation model more spacious, comfortable, and fuel-efficient.
It also got a new 1.5L i-DSI or “Intelligent Dual & Sequential Ignition” engine that offered easy driving, enhanced comfort, and high fuel economy. The second-generation City also saw the introduction of a CVT variant – a first for any car in India.
It was also equipped with ABS – a novelty during that time that made Honda City far ahead of its competitors in the same segment.
3RD GENERATION: 2008 – 2013
The third generation was launched with a completely new look. The radical, Arrow-Shot styling was accepted very well by the customers.
The all-new 1.5L i-VTEC engine became the most significant selling point. It also offered the best standard safety in its segment. With Dual Front Airbags and ABS with EBD as standard in all variants – it was far ahead of its times in the year 2008, 11 years before the regulation came in for all cars to be equipped with the same.
Honda provided yet another compelling product with this generation that offered more power, comfort, refinement, and efficiency while sporting good looks.
4TH GENERATION: 2014 – 2020
With the 4th-gen City, launched in 2014, Honda introduced the 1.5L i-DTEC diesel engine and the 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine. A new generation CVT was also introduced in this City, offering better fuel efficiency than the manual variant.
This generation offered more powertrain options, innovative equipment, and spacious interiors.
5TH GENERATION: 2020 onwards
The fifth generation of the Honda City was introduced in July 2020. The new Generation City is outfitted with tremendous improvement making it a segment leader with its superior technology, comfort & design.
The car took a massive leap in Connected Car Services as a standard offering and became India’s First Connected Car with Alexa Remote Capability.
The newest edition to the aspirational brand in terms of technology is the City e: HEV, India’s first Supreme Hybrid Electric model, poised to revolutionize the Indian sedan market.
About Honda Cars India Ltd.
