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All-new PF2 platform being developed for multiple power trains Will underpin next-gen City, new SUVs and smaller EVs for the Indian and global markets.
Honda is developing a global platform for its small and medium car portfolio and India is likely to be the global production base for the domestic market and the rest of the world. This all-new modular platform (code: PF2) will underpin a range of future products that includes sedans, SUVs, EVs and hybrids. Sources say that the PF2 is likely to support both ICE and EV powertrains as Honda is not yet convinced of the feasibility of developing a dedicated EV platform or ‘skateboard’ in the backdrop of waning demand for EVs. “Like Toyota, Honda is leaning towards a multi-powertrain strategy” said a source, though Honda has publicly stated that it will only sell EVs or Fuel cell cars by 2040.
- Honda to launch new flagship SUV in 2027
- Hybrid powertrain could be localised to meet future export demand
- Honda betting on ICE, hybrid and EV powertrain for India
With the PF2 Honda hopes to get its mojo back. Sales of Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) have been in decline and its bread-and-butter City sedan has seen volumes below the 1,000 units per month mark whilst the Elevate which started off strongly averaging monthly sales of around 4,500 units in the first five months has also lost ground to rivals with volumes now hovering a little above a 2,000 units a month on average. However, Elevate exports have boomed and in Japan where it is sold as the WR-V.
In the first quarter of this calendar year, export 10,659 made-in-India WR-Vs to Japan, nearly double the Elevate’s domestic sales number. In fact, according to a recent report in Nikkei Asia, the WR-V has made Honda the top imported auto brand in the country. The report also says that the WR-V’s low price (2.1 million yen or US$13,200) is the main factor driving sales. Clearly, Honda’s strategy of making India a low-cost export hub has paid off.
The WR-V’s success in Japan has encouraged Honda to expand India as an export base. Another reason could be to pivot away from Thailand which has traditionally been Honda’s primary manufacturing base for the region but where Honda is struggling against a flood of Chinese automakers.
Relooking at hybrids?
In India, Honda took the first-mover advantage in the hybrid race but it was a half-hearted attempt. The City Hybrid, the first mainstream strong hybrid in the county was priced out of the market. More bewildering was Honda’s decision not give a hybrid option for the Elevate despite being pioneers of hybrid tech and a growing demand for strong hybrid SUVs. For Honda, an Elevate hybrid which has low levels of localisation (unlike the Grand Vitara and Hyryder) would have been too costly to produce and could have gone the City Hybrid way. However, after looking at market trends, the Japanese automaker has had a rethink and is likely to invest in localisation of its hybrid powertrain to be more competitive in the hybrid race and has packaged the PF2 platform from the outset to be hybrid ready. Also, the growing demand for hybrids in key international markets hasn’t gone unnoticed by Honda and low-cost hybrids from India would have great export potential.
All-new Honda 7-seven seat SUV in 2027
The first model to be launched on the PF2 platform is likely to be an all-new three row SUV that is positioned above the Elevate. The design and development of this seven-seat SUV is being led by Honda’s Japan and Thailand R&D centres but with a lot of inputs from India, which is likely to be this SUV’s main market. Power options are not clear but we expect Honda to offer the seven-seat SUV with the same 1.5 litre naturally aspirated engine that powers the Elevate as well as a strong hybrid option. According to a schedule given to suppliers, the start of production for the seven-seat SUV is October 2027
All-new City coming 2028
The second model on the PF2 platform will be the next-generation Honda City which is due for a model change in 2028. The next-gen or sixth generation City is likely to come with a naturally aspirated petrol and hybrid option from launch. Sources say the City will get fresh styling and a new design language that will make it look radically different from the current model. Start of production of the new City is expected to be May 2028.
Compact SUV in early 2029
Industry sources have also confirmed that Honda is planning a compact SUV on the PF2 platform which could hit showrooms in the first half of 2029. Details are still sketchy as the project is not yet on the drawing board but it’s likely to be a sub-4 metre SUV. In fact, to keep costs low, the initial plan was to make the Elevate and a compact SUV on the Brio platform. However, given the export potential of the Elevate Honda switched to the larger and better City platform. But, upgrading to the more expensive City platform made the compact SUV unviable from a cost perspective and hence it was dropped.
Now with the PF2 platform which will be heavily localised, Honda has the economies of scale to relook at the compact SUV segment which was briefly (and quite successfully) served by the WR-V crossover from 2017 to 2023. No engine details have been revealed yet but the 1.5 petrol, the only engine Honda has localised, seems to the be logical choice.
Honda’s second EV in 2029
Honda is planning a second EV in 2029 after the Elevate-based SUV which is slated for a 2026 launch. There are no details as yet of this EV but it’s likely to be an SUV that sits under the Elevate. But unlike the Elevate EV which is part of the ‘ACE’ (Asian Compact Electric) project, the second EV will be built on the PF2 platform as well and is likely to be an all-new model
Honda Cars India had officially announced at the launch of the Elevate last year, that the company plans to introduce 5 SUVS by 2030 which could be mix of locally made products and some CBUs.
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