Japanese automaker Honda is set to export its India-made mid-sized SUV, Elevate, to the Japanese market in spring 2024. This will be the first time a vehicle manufactured by Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL), Honda’s wholly-owned subsidiary in India, will be exported to Japan’s highly regulated auto market. The Elevate destined for Japan will be branded as the WR-V.
The Elevate/WR-V will be manufactured at HCIL’s production facility at Tapukara, in India’s western state of Rajasthan. A spokesperson for HCIL stated that exporting an India-made vehicle to Japan demonstrates the manufacturing capabilities of Honda’s India operations and aligns with Honda’s vision to make India a key global export hub.
The Tapukara plant has the capacity to meet demand in India as well as fulfill export orders, the spokesperson added. Honda introduced the Elevate SUV in India this September and aims to launch five SUV models by 2030. A battery-electric version of the Elevate is also planned within three years.
This represents an important milestone for Honda’s India operations and its strategy to develop India into a global manufacturing and export hub.
Toshio Kuwahara, President and CEO, Asian Honda Motor and Head of Regional Unit (Asia and Oceania), Honda Motor Company told Autocar Professional that he is expecting Elevate to contribute to further expansion of export volumes from India.
“India is one of the key global hubs for exports for Honda in the future. India is one of the most important automotive markets for Honda brand’s future. That is why the global premiere of the new premium SUV Elevate is staged in the Indian market,” Kuwahara said.
