2017 Honda City Facelift First Drive Review
- Feb 21, 2017
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i-DTEC! These are pretty much the golden letters in every Honda employee’s mind. First with the Amaze and now showing unprecedented success with the City, the diesel engine has helped Honda claim the top step of the podium in the C-segment sedan category from the long-ruling Hyundai Verna.
Honda has sold 7,184 units of the City in January and 7,213 units in February, almost all of which have been of the diesel City. Honda started producing the petrol variants only towards the end of February so it most likely looks like sales of the new City are going to see an upward trend. The Verna in comparison sold less than half the numbers of the City at 3,342 units in February and 3,803 units in January. Prior to the launch of the City, such numbers for a sedan in the C-segment were unheard of.
Hyundai recently gave the Verna a minor update to freshen things up a bit, but the excellent City package and keen pricing has left Honda unaffected by Hyundai’s efforts. There’s more trouble brewing in the pipeline for Hyundai and other competitors like the VW Vento and Skoda Rapid. Honda’s Tapukara plant in Rajasthan will soon be producing cars at full steam and if Honda sees demand for the City maintaining its current levels, the Japanese carmaker can easily produce more as they have a flexible assembly line. Honda also tells us that it is focusing at expanding its dealership network to smaller towns at present. This will reduce the network advantage Hyundai enjoys now over Honda.
The Verna was launched in 2011 though and Hyundai has enjoyed an excellent run for almost three years. The City has spoilt its party now but come tomorrow, Hyundai gets to return the favour to Honda in the sub-4 metre segment with the Xcent. It’s game on.
2017 Honda City Facelift First Drive Review
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