Honda Cars announced a new phase of growth for the company’s business in the Indian car market. Building on its vision for the Indian market, Honda Cars announced an investment of Rs. 2500 crore in its Tapukara plant in Alwar, Rajasthan to build a new assembly line for cars with an annual installed capacity of 1,20,000 units, a new diesel engine component production line and a Forging plant.
The company also showcased its revolutionary 1.5L i-DTEC diesel engine, the first Indian application of Honda’s next generation Earth Dreams Technology, which will change the face of diesel capabilities available in India.
The i-DTEC technology will debut in the soon-to-be-launched Honda Amaze and will be adopted sequentially in new models being introduced (Jazz, City and upcoming compact SUV). The new 1.5L i-DTEC diesel engine, specifically developed for the Indian market, will create a new benchmark with the lightest body, 100PS of power and industry leading fuel efficiency of 25.8 km/l on Amaze.
(Read: Honda opens bookings for Amaze, launch on 11th April)
The new assembly line and forging plant is scheduled to be ready within 2014 and is expected to generate fresh employment of 2200 people at the start of production. Combined with the capacity of the new plant, HCIL’s total installed production capacity will be increased to 240,000 units/ annum in 2014.
The new diesel engine component production line with a manpower of 265 employees has just begun the mass production of the critical engine components for the i-DTEC engine manufacturing the cylinder head, cylinder block, crankshaft, connecting rod, clutch case and transmission assembly which are supplied to Greater Noida plant where Amaze is being manufactured. In addition to fulfilling domestic market needs, it will also export transmission parts to the European market.
The Tapukara production facility will be an integrated manufacturing plant including all functions of Forging, Press Shop, Powertrain shop, Weld shop, Paint shop, Plastic Moulding, Engine assembly, Frame assembly and Engine Testing facility.
