Honda Siel Cars India Limited (HSCI), a joint venture between Honda (Japan) and Siel Limited, has again started taking booking orders for its hatchback model Brio. Indian customers interested in purchasing the 2012 Honda Brio can now place an order at their nearest Honda dealerships. According to reports, HSCI had started the production of its entry level hatchback model last week at its manufacturing facilities.
Indian customers had to bear a long waiting period for Honda Brio and Jazz as the Japanese automaker was affected by tsunami and floods at its Thailand components manufacturing units in 2011. It was forced to halt production temporarily as it fell short of automobile components. In order to overcome the shortage of components, the company decided to rely on its facilities in China and Japan to provide important spares to other Honda facilities. With this step, HSCI is reducing the waiting period at a fast pace.
The company is now planning to double its current production by working in two shifts. This move will assist HSCI in clearing the backlog of pending deliveries of the Brio and Jazz. Honda Siel Cars India Limited has announced that it will clear all the remaining orders by March. In addition, the company will try to reduce the waiting period to maximum of 2 months. Moreover, it has decided to offer test drives for its Brio at all dealerships in a bid to lure potential customers.
Honda Brio is offered to the Indian buyers in 4 variants that have been assimilated with a 1.2 litre, 4 cylinder, 16 valve, SOHC i-VTEC petrol engine. The 1198 cc engine is capable of producing maximum power of 89 hp at 6000 rpm (Manual Transmission) and peak torque of 109 Nm at 4600 rpm. It is available in the Indian automobile market between the price range of Rs. 3.95 lacs to Rs. 5.10 lacs (ex showroom Delhi).
As far as interiors are concerned, the Honda Brio model includes single tone beige (in the initial three variants), three-spoke steering wheel with integrated audio controls, three analogue 3D meters, eco lamp near the speedometer and amber colour illuminated audio system with integrated USB and AUX-in facility.
Honda has always given safety top-most priority and, therefore, has based the structure of the Brio on G-Force Control Technology. In addition, this hatchback includes Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), brake assist, and two airbags with Intelligent SRS (i-SRS) on driver’s side. Looking at the increasing demand for diesel models, HSCI will soon be introducing diesel variant of Brio in the Indian automobile market.
