Honda Amaze: A compact sedan that took the market by storm

Honda Motors India Ltd. (HMIL), the Indian subsidiary of the Japanese motor company, has been performing well in the domestic market. It has been a tough contender of the most dependable brand of India, Maruti Suzuki. Honda came out with the Amaze compact sedan few months back and it was touted that it would give stiff competition to Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire. With time, this sedan has managed to set a name for itself in the Indian car market.

As per reports, this car crossed the 30,000 count just five months after its launch in April 2013. This sales figure does account for the fact that the firm has emerged as a new winner in this segment. It has worked as a catalyst for the company's sales and is the first model to reach this count at such a fast pace. Officials from the company said that this car was developed after several research sessions, surveys, analysis of customer feedback and requirements. All this helped it achieve the peak point of its design, on the interior and the exterior front, fuel efficiency in budget. Experts believe that localisation and good reach has helped Honda Amaze achieve this figure.

According to officials, the major achievement for the company is that out of the total buyers of this car, 80 per cent of them are first time buyers, thereby revealing the fact that this car has helped widen the reach of Honda. There has been a growing demand for the vehicle and the company has announced a third shift of the car's production at its Greater Noida plant in November this year so as to reduce waiting period for customers. The company's present objective is to strengthen its dealership and distribution network across India. As of now, it caters to 154 facilities in 98 cities and has plans to extend it to Tier II and Tier II cities, reaching a count of 162 outlets in the coming fiscal year.

Honda Amaze comes in two engine options, which includes one diesel and one petrol. The 1.5 litre i-DTEC diesel engine powered version churns out 98.6 bhp of output and renders a mileage of 25.8 kmpl. On the other hand, the 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol engine version gives 86.8 bhp of peak power along with a fuel economy of 18 kmpl. Its powertrain uses a small turbo that reels up at a high speed to deliver linearity to throttle inputs. Features like remote locking, electric folding mirrors, alloy wheels and USB connectivity are also present in Honda Amaze that gives it an edge over its competitors. It has been provided with a slightly lower dashboard that delivers better visibility along with enhanced clutch and throttle control. The interiors are a blend of brown black and beige that gives it a sophisticated look.

Appealing chrome front grille alloy wheels and a refreshing design have helped this car become a favourite among customers. It is also provided with fog lamps and ORVM turn indicators to give a safe driving experience. The boot space of this car 400 litres, which makes it quite spacious for passengers. It has bottle holders and spacious glove box for the convenience of the passengers. With so many features incorporated in this sedan, the news of its success did not come as a surprise to anyone. Experts believe that now that the car has set a benchmark for itself in the domestic market, its position is sure to remain.