At Rs 21.5 lakh ex-showroom, the Honda Civic Hybrid is pegged at more than twice of what it costs in the US, thanks to import duties levied on CBU imports in India!
Honda has launched the petrol-electric Civic Hybrid in India today – the car is priced at an astronomical Rs 21.5 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. This is more than twice of what the car costs in the US market, but since the Civic Hybrid is being imported into India as a CBU, perhaps the price difference is understandable, given that more than 100% duty is levied on imported cars.
‘This is yet another step to strengthen Honda's presence in India, in line with our long term goal of bringing eco friendly vehicles,’ Masahiro Takedawa, President and CEO, Honda Siel Cars.
The Civic Hybrid is powered by an SOHC, 8-valve, four-cylinder, 1339cc i-VTEC engine that makes 110 horsepower at 6,000rpm. Plus, there’s an electric motor that makes an additional 20 horsepower. This motor is powered by Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) batteries.
The Civic Hybrid also gets a fully automatic CVT transmission, 15-inch alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes with EBD, and multiple airbags. It’s a safe, sophisticated and high-tech car, but at Rs 21.5 lakh ex-showroom, it remains to be seen whether Indian buyers are prepared to fork out that kind of money to go green and/or save the planet…
