Honda Developing Global Platform For Made In India Vehicles

Honda Motors is developing a global platform that will support multiple powertrains, including ICE and EVs, for made-in-India vehicles, which will extend to global models. A reputed auto publication from India reports that this platform, called the PF2, will underpin the next generation Honda City, new SUV models, and smaller EVs for the Indian and global markets. This also means that Honda isn’t developing a dedicated skateboard-type platform exclusive to electric vehicles. It’s adopting a trend from fellow Japanese manufacturer Toyota, which has also pursued a multi-powertrain strategy.

Honda’s sales in India have been declining, considering most of its portfolio includes sedans, with the Elevate SUV only launched last year to a lukewarm response. Its bread and butter, the Honda City, has seen sales volumes dip below 1,000 units per month. The Elevate, which started strongly by clocking 4,500 units in the first 5 months, has seen sales drop to a little above 2,000 units, though its export volumes have done well as it is sold as the WR-V abroad.

Honda sold 10,659 WR-Vs abroad, which is nearly twice the number of Elevates sold in India in the first quarter of the year. The WR-V’s low price has played a factor, which indicates Honda’s strategy of positioning India as a hub for manufacturing low-cost cars for the world is working, which flows into the news of this new platform being developed. This could also mean Honda moves away from Thailand as an export base.

Honda is also looking at localising its hybrid powertrain manufacturing in India as it was unable to launch a hybrid version of the Elevate as it would’ve made the vehicle too costly for the market. The PF2 platform is said to be hybrid-ready. This platform will be the basis for a new 7-seater SUV in 2027, which is positioned above the Elevate. This car is expected to be paired with the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine but with a strong hybrid option that delivers more power.

There will be a new Honda City based on this platform, which will be due to come in 2028. It will also get a naturally aspirated engine paired with a strong hybrid option like the current generation City. It will get fresh styling and a new design language, which will be a radical departure from the current model. This model is expected to begin production in May 2028.

Then there will be a compact SUV model for 2029, which will also be on the same platform. It will be a sub-4-metre SUV, and Honda is thinking about using the Honda City platform for this car after seeing the success of the Elevate in the global markets. It will likely get a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine and could be the successor to the Indian version of the WR-V, which was sold in the country from 2017-2023.

There will, of course, be an Elevate-based electric car for 2026, and another EV is also planned for 2029. This will likely be an SUV that will be cheaper than the Elevate EV. Unlike the Elevate EV, this will be based on the PF2 platform and will be an all-new model.

Honda has already announced that it will launch 5 SUVs by 2030, which could be a mix of locally made and completely built-up units.