Honda is now exporting its Elevate mid-size SUV from India to Japan via the port of Pipavav. The Elevate went on sale in Japan badged with the brand name WR-V last month and so far around 6,800 models have been delivered. It is the first time Honda has exported a model made in India to Japan.
APM Terminals Pipavav is working with NYK Line and Auto Logistics on the export of the vehicles, which are made at Honda’s plant in Tapukara, in the northern state of Rajasthan.
“Launch of the made-in-India Elevate as WR-V in Japan is a proud moment for all of us,” said Takuya Tsumura, president and CEO of Honda Cars India. “This reaffirms our manufacturing potential and growing importance of Honda Cars India in Honda’s global business strategies.”
Honda Cars India has sold 30,000 units of the Elevate in India since it was launched there in September 2023 and the car has become a key pillar of Honda’s business in India, according to Tsumara, something the company is hoping to replicate globally. Honda locally sources 90% of the parts and materials for the Elevate.
Honda has been exporting models to left-hand-drive markets in Turkey, Mexico and Middle East, and right-hand-drive markets in Nepal, Bhutan, South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) of 16 countries.
In other news, in January APM Terminals Pipavav unloaded a record monthly number of rail cars, managing 26 newly modified goods rakes, specialised for finished vehicle transport.
“This is the highest monthly rake ever handled at the port, amounting to 2,602 vehicles,” said the company in a statement. “The service supports APM Terminals’ industry-leading decarbonisation ambition and contributes to significant decongestion of commuter road networks.”
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