Honda’s Portfolio Shrinks After Discontinuation Of 3 Models

• Honda Cars India discontinues the WR-V, Jazz and fourth-generation City. 
• All three are older models and haven’t been upgraded to RDE norms.
• The carmaker currently only has two models on sale in India. 
• It’s prepping a new compact SUV that will rival the Hyundai Creta.
• Honda compact SUV to be launched later this year. 

Honda Cars India has discontinued three of its models in the country: the Jazz premium hatchback, WR-V sub-four-metre crossover and the fourth-generation City sedan. With this latest development, the carmaker has only the Amaze and the recently launched 2023 Honda City in its portfolio for now. 

The Jazz, WR-V and fourth-generation City are all older generation Honda models that have been on sale in India for a while now. All three are based on the carmaker’s older platforms and already have their latest successors as well. The next-generation WR-V and Jazz are available in international markets, while in India, the fifth generation City was put on sale alongside the older model. 

It must be noted that sales of all three models have been on the lower side for a while now. One main factor is that their competitors have moved on with the arrival of their newer versions. And with the RDE norms already in place, it doesn’t make sense for Honda to spend money and resources on these older models to upgrade them to meet the current stringent emissions regulations as return of investment isn’t guaranteed. 

So the sensible decision is to bite the bullet and axe these cars. This of course would send shivers down the spine of potential Honda car owners, as the brand’s future in India comes under scrutiny. Since there are only two Honda models on sale now, the obvious question in the minds of most people would be “What’s next?”. 

Fret not, as Honda is busy developing brand new models specifically for the Indian market. And the first product among the new ones that we can expect real soon is the carmaker’s Hyundai Creta challenger. The Japanese marque’s compact SUV has already been spied on several occasions and is slated to hit markets later this year. 

Prices are expected to start around the Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom) mark and it will lock horns with stalwarts like Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, VW Taigun and Skoda Kushaq. For more details about Honda’s upcoming SUV, check this report.