Honda Brio launch in March 2011?

Honda is planning to advance the launch of its small car Brio six months ahead of its previous schedule. According to an Economic Times (ET) report, the Honda Brio will be rolled out as soon as March 17^th, 2011, though deliveries will commence only around September.

The report, however, said that Honda is keeping a tight lid on the launch date, refusing to divulge details. Interestingly, the Honda Brio is (also?) set to launch in Thailand this March. Related: Honda Brio guide

Rumours about the Brio’s launch have spread across the Internet like wildfire, with different websites adding their own twist to the speculation. For instance, Indiancarsbikes claims the Brio won’t launch in March though Honda may start taking pre-bookings from customers during June-July 2011 while deliveries will begin from August or September as scheduled previously. Unfortunately we cannot independently confirm either report.

While it’s hard to tell if Honda is indeed launching the Brio in March, the possibility can’t be ruled out since Honda may want to score over its rivals, the Toyota Etios Liva and the new Maruti Swift, due for launch in April. After all the launch of the Toyota Etios saw huge demand and bookings, and the company is known to be trying all it can to produce the Etios as well as the Etios Liva hatchback – which the Honda Brio would compete against. The demand for the Etios could have convinced Toyota about the demand for an affordable small car from a premium Japanese manufacturer – and the flop-show that was the Jazz would definitely be further motivation too!

Honda had first showcased a near-production version of the Brio at the 27thInternational Expo 2010 in Thailand during September 2010. Brio, like the Nissan Micra, is a very compact car and measures 3.6 m x 1.68 m x 1.47 m (length x width x height). Based on Honda’s ‘Man maximum machine minimum’ philosophy, the Brio will give maximum cabin space with space-saving measures and intelligent packaging. Also read: Toyota Etios Liva vs Honda Brio, Suzuki Swift and the rest: Comparison

Originally the Brio, which will be manufactured at Honda’s Greater Noida plant, was scheduled for an India launch in September 2011. However, fresh speculations have put a question mark over the launch date. Also see our Honda Brio photo gallery

Expect a price tag of around Rs. 5 lakh for the Honda Brio, when it’s launched. Honda’s range of cars in India currently include the top of the line 2011 Accord launched recently, the Honda CR-V crossover, the City sedan and the Jazz premium hatchback.