Honda plans Powertrain facility in Rajasthan,India

Honda plan to accommodate a powertrain facility as well inside their 600 acre manufacturing plant in Rajasthan India.Business Standard says the facility would be operational by the first quarter of 2009 to produce 200,000 units annually,though Honda say the figure should be 300,000 for it to be commercially viable,so expect it closer to this range.

And Honda is not the only company which is interested in setting up a powertrain facility in India,Ford too are interested in setting up a diesel powertrain facility in Chennai.

Already at the plant, HSCI plans a press shop, a weld shop, die-casting shop, machine shop, paint shop and assembly operations.

The powertrain facility will help the company establish a full-fledged engine and gearbox manufacturing centre in the country and reduce dependency on imports.In the end its all about cost and Honda plans to lower cost's by increasing but just wonder how much will benefit the end consumer because in typical Honda arrogant behaviour their Chairman in India,Mr Masahiro Takedagawa, was once quoted as saying the small car from HSCIL stable will not be priced below Maruti's `Swift', as the customers in India do not look for cheap products from HSCIL.

[Source:Business Standard]