New Delhi – Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL) has just hit the accelerator on its global journey, cruising past the 200,000-unit export milestone. From neighbours to nations half a world away, India’s Honda-made wheels are rolling into driveways worldwide, proving that when it comes to cars, India doesn’t just “Make in India” — it makes them travel.
The Journey So Far
Honda’s export story started like a modest road trip – with the first 50,000 cars largely destined for SAARC nations, South Africa and SADC countries. Then the GPS was set to a longer route: Mexico, Turkey, and Middle Eastern Left-Hand-Drive markets joined the destination list.
And lately, it’s been less of a leisurely drive and more of a turbo sprint. The next 100,000 cars zipped out in just 2 years, thanks largely to global love for the Honda Elevate SUV and the evergreen Honda City sedan – together accounting for 78% of exports. That leaves the remaining 22% as a buffet of Brio, Amaze, Jazz, BR-V, Mobilio, Accord, CR-V, and even the hybrid City e:HEV.
A Passport with Many Stamps
So far, Honda Cars India has exported to 33 countries. Japan has driven away with the largest chunk at 30% (a rare case of the pupil teaching the sensei), followed by South Africa and SADC (26%), Mexico (19%), and Turkey (16%). The rest is spread across the Middle East, Caribbean, South America, and SAARC – essentially, if you hear a polite horn beep abroad, there’s a fair chance it’s an Indian Honda.
Voices from the Driver’s Seat
“Crossing 200,000 export units fills us with immense pride,” said Kunal Behl, VP of Marketing & Sales, HCIL. “This milestone is proof that India-made Hondas aren’t just export-worthy, they’re export-craved. We’re firmly in the fast lane of the Make in India initiative – serving Indian families at home and global customers abroad.”
From City of Dreams to City of Exports, and from Gurgaon’s assembly lines to garages in Tokyo and Trinidad, Honda Cars India has shown that India’s manufacturing muscle is no longer content with local speed bumps – it’s gunning for global highways.
