New Delhi: Japanese carmaker Honda’s premium hatchback Jazz on Wednesday made a comeback in the Indian market with the company launching a third-generation version of the model priced between Rs 5.3 lakh and Rs 8.59 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The car, which would compete with the likes of Maruti Suzuki Swift and Hyundai Motor Elite i20, is powered by both petrol and diesel engines.
Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) president and CEO Katsushi Inoue said, “The all new Jazz will be a key pillar of business and would be instrumental in driving the growth for Honda Cars in India.” Asia Honda Motor Co president and director Noriaki Abe said Jazz marked the company’s re-entry into the premium hatchback segment in the country. “Jazz has played a significant role in boosting our business globally and I am confident that it will replicate the same success in India,” he added.
Elaborating on the importance of Indian market, Mr Abe said it is now the fourth largest market for Honda globally and contributed around 30 per cent of sales in the Asia and Oceanic region sales. Jazz was first launched in the country in 2009 with a price tag of over Rs 7 lakh, which was later slashed by Rs1.6 lakh. In 2013, the company stopped production of the car in the country.
