The new Jazz will have to wait

Statement made during the inauguration of Honda’s 200th dealer in the Hyderabad

The 200th dealer of Honda -- Metro Honda – was inaugurated by president and CEO of Honda Cars India Hironori Kanayama in the city on Thursday.

"Last year we announced that within this fiscal year we would come out with Mobilio and Jazz. But the great demand (for other models) is exceeding our expectations. So we started the second shift of our second plant," Hironori Kanayama said.

The Japanese auto major Honda is likely to start the fresh roll out of its 'discontinued' hatchback Jazz in the Indian market next year.

"The demand seems to be so strong, so the launch of the Jazz is slightly adjusted. That's what we think. We have not yet taken a decision (on the exact time of launch). We anticipate the launch of Jazz any time next year," he added.

Honda had stopped production of Jazz last year. The vehicle was launched in India in 2009 with a hefty price tag of over Rs 7 lakh, which was later slashed by Rs 1.6 lakh.

Kanayama said that the company plans to add another 100 dealers by the end of March 2016 to the existing 200 dealers.

"By March 2016, we will have 300 dealerships all over the country. Of the total 200 dealers we have now, 75 per cent are in tier-II and tier-III cities and towns," he said.