Honda Siel Car India recently launched its hybrid car, Honda Civic 2008, in India. The new car is priced at Rs. 21.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and is getting a good response from the Indian customers.

"So far we have received over 100 inquiries from the 80 dealerships we have across India,” said Honda Siel Car India President and C.E.O.  Masahiro Takedawa, “We have to set an entirely new standard for testing and homologating this car in collaboration Automotive Research Association of India (A.R.A.I.) with as there were no regulations earlier,” he added.  He also commented about government' support in launching an environmentally friendly car, “This car comes at a much higher price as the import duty is over 100 percent and bringing the car to India was a challenging task."

Takedawa also added that the company is not seeking volumes at present but wants to introduce the technology to Indian customers. Hybrid cars had been initially launched in 1999 and since then 260,000 units have already been sold worldwide. India becomes the 33rd country where Honda has launched its hybrid model.