Honda to launch compact SUV BR-V in India next fiscal

TOKYO: Japanese auto major Honda will launch its compact sports utility vehicle Honda BR-V in India in the next financial year.

Officials of the company's Indian arm, Honda Cars India Ltd, confirmed that BR-V will be launched in the Indian market "sometime in the next financial year", though a date has not been fixed yet.

The seven-seater vehicle is likely to be offered in both petrol and diesel variants.

The model will compete with the likes of Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster and Mahindra Scorpio, among others.

Honda showcased a lineup of models at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show 2015 here and unveiled a new fuel cell vehicle (FCV) named Clarity Fuel Cell.

The "all-new" Clarity fuses the ease of use of a gasoline-powered vehicle and values that are unique to a FCV at a high level, company officials said.

Honda will begin lease sales of Clarity in Japan in March 2016, followed by the US and Europe.

"A highly unique package for this vehicle was realised based on Honda's longstanding M/M concept- man maximum, machine minimum - which means to maximise the space for people and minimise the space required for mechanical components," Honda President and Chief Executive Officer Takahiro Hachigo told reporters here.

Providing an update on Honda's aviation foray, he said: "Finally, let me say that some of Honda's challenges toward new mobility products will bear fruit this year. Our entry into the aviation industry, which was also a dream of our company founder, with our HF120 jet engine and HondaJet is coming very close."

Honda flew its HondaJet for the first time in Japan in April.