Honda to roll out E20 cars

Honda Motor Co. is to introduce its 20 per cent ethanol (E20) compatible cars in India this year.

As reported by Business Line, Mr Jnaneshwar Sen, Senior General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Honda Siel Cars India said, "Even as the Government is considering making E10 (10 per cent ethanol) mandatory by October, we will be producing our E20 cars in India by December 2008".

At present, Honda has cars that are suitable for a 10 per cent ethanol blend in petrol.

Honda Siel Cars India will also launch a new Accord and a variant of its sports utility vehicle CRV.

The company said that the new variant of CRV will be equipped with a 2-litre engine as compared to the current 2.4 litre engine. Meanwhile, he new Accord will come with six airbags and will be more expensive and fuel-efficient.

Honda Siel will also launch its Civic Hybrid during the year and expects to get homologation clearance over the coming 2-3 months. The Civic Hybrid will give 60 per cent more mileage than the existing one.

The company is expanding its facility at Greater Noida by 50,000 units to one lakh.