Honda might not be as powerful in India as it was twenty years ago, but it remains a leader in Japanese automobile technology. With its strong reputation and ongoing research and development (R&D), Honda is starting a new journey to develop its future passenger vehicles.

Recent media reports say that Honda is developing a new global platform for its small and medium cars. Honda also plans to make India the main production base for this new platform, serving both the local and global markets.

Called PF2, this new modular design will support future Honda models, including both combustion engine cars and electric vehicles (EVs). It will be used for different types of cars, like SUVs and sedans. The report also says that Honda is unsure about creating a dedicated platform just for EVs because demand for EVs is decreasing in some international markets.

Honda plans to keep using internal combustion engines (ICE) well beyond 2030. Like Toyota, Honda is focusing on a multi-powertrain strategy, which also includes fuel cells. Honda introduced the Elevate in September last year, and it was later launched as the WR-V in Japan earlier this year.

From September 2023 to March 2024, Honda sold over 33,600 units in India. However, in the last six months, sales have dropped to 16,482 units. For comparison, the Hyundai Creta, a segment leader, sold 1 million units in the same period since its facelifted model was launched in January this year. This means the total six-month sales of the Honda Elevate are about the same as the average monthly sales of the Hyundai Creta.

New-gen Honda City in 2028

The PF2 platform will be used for the new sixth-generation Honda City, which is expected to launch by 2028. Like the current model, the new City will offer both naturally aspirated petrol and strong hybrid engine options. The new-generation City will have a completely different look compared to the current model. Production of the new City is expected to begin in May 2028.

All-new Honda 7-seater SUV in 2027

Before launching the new-generation City, Honda will introduce a new 7-seat SUV built on the PF2 platform. This SUV will be positioned above the Elevate, and market feedback from India is being considered during its development. The SUV is being developed by Honda’s R&D centers in Japan and Thailand. When it launches in India, it will compete with models like the Mahindra XUV700, MG Hector Plus, Tata Safari, and Hyundai Alcazar.

Sub-compact SUV in 2029

Details are still incomplete, but industry sources have confirmed that Honda is planning a sub-compact SUV on the PF2 platform, which might arrive in showrooms in the first half of 2029. Initially, Honda had planned to develop a sub-4 meter SUV based on the Brio platform. However, due to the importance of export markets, Honda has decided to use a heavily-localized PF2 platform to balance quality and cost.