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Honda-Siel to guide prospective buyers of Honda-Japan cars

Honda Siel Cars India Limited has sought the Foreign Investment Promotion Board approval to be the indenting sales agents for Honda Motor Company of Japan.

In its application to the FIPB, HSCI has stated that it would not directly import the Honda vehicles but would facilitate the eligible importers in selecting and getting the vehicles to India.

The proposal would come up for hearing at the board's meeting on Monday, sources in the industry ministry said.

HSCI vice-president and director (administration) N K Goyla said the company would create awareness in the country about the various models available in the Honda stables and help the eligible customers to select the right model.

''We will help in importing the vehicle, coordinating with HMC Japan, for supplies and also readying the Honda exclusive authorised dealers (heads) for providing after-sales service for the vehicles,'' he added.

''Our company has not applied for directly importing Honda cars. We know that the import policy does not permit us to do it. We have just sought to be allowed to become the indenting agents for Honda so that we can facilitate the process of importing Honda vehicles.''

HSCI, however, has not specified any particular models to be imported as the final models would be decided by the customers themselves.

This exercise, Goyla added, would also help in collating data about the Indian customers' preferences for particular models and might help in finalising future introductions in India.

Regarding the service support for the imported vehicles, he said, ''We would be training our existing authorised dealers for the purpose.''

Meanwhile, the FIPB had earlier this week permitted Honda Motor Company to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary for producing scooters and motorcycles in India.

UNI

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