Honda Cars India (HCI) has ambitious plans with a focus on SUVs, EVs, and hybrid vehicles. Speaking to a media publication, Takuya Tsumura, Honda Cars India President and CEO, confirmed that there will be “three electrified models in 2026-27.” The upcoming range will include pure EVs and hybrid vehicles. He also revealed that the Honda Elevate EV will hit Indian roads in 2026. It will be the first product under Honda’s new ACE (Asian Compact Electric) project. The Japanese automaker plans to export nearly 50 to 70 percent of its Made-in-India ACE models to major overseas markets, including Japan.
Three New SUVs
Codenamed DG9D, the Honda Elevate EV will compete with the upcoming Hyundai Creta EV and Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara. The Japanese automaker has also planned a new flagship three-row SUV that will debut Honda’s all-new modular PF2 architecture. The new Honda 7-seater SUV, which will be jointly developed by Honda’s Japan and Thailand R&D centers with inputs from India, is expected to feature the Elevate’s 1.5L petrol engine and a strong hybrid powertrain. A new sub-4-metre SUV launch is also on the cards. These upcoming Honda SUVs will cater to different sections of buyers with diverse requirements and budgets. Read: 2025 Honda Amaze Prices, Variants & All Key Info
Honda’s PF2 Platform
As mentioned earlier, the Japanese automaker is working on a new modular PF2 architecture, which supports both ICE (internal combustion engine) and electric powertrains. The carmaker will use it for future small and medium-sized vehicles, with a three-row SUV being the first model to be built on it. PF2-based Honda cars will be produced in India for both domestic and global markets.
This architecture will also underpin the new-generation Honda City, reported to arrive in 2028. It will be the sedan’s sixth-generation model, featuring naturally aspirated petrol and strong hybrid technology. The all-new City is likely to enter production by mid-2028. HCI will introduce its second electric offering in 2029, based on the PF2 platform.
