Honda Mobilio, the debut MPV from the Japanese carmaker, is under severe scrutiny. According to some reports, Honda might phaseout the Mobilio due to insufficient demand. It was launched in July 2014 and had managed to please all, initially. But it has seen a gradual decline in sales and the situation is worsening by the day.
In the first month of its launch, the Mobilio had managed to grab 3,500 customers, whereas in the last six months, the average score was 444 units/month. There are several reasons behind this downturn, and one of them is the rise of competition – the Maruti Ertiga facelift and the budget-friendly Datsun GO+. The Ertiga is an aesthetically pleasing car and offers features like SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment, rear parking, push engine start/stop, retractable side mirrors and 60:40 folding seats. Why will one opt for the Mobilio, which has always been criticized for being overpriced?
Honda BR-V
The upcoming Honda BR-V, which shares the Mobilio’s platform, might actually benefit from it all. The car was showcased at the Indian Auto Expo and is scheduled to be launched in the second quarter of 2016. It will be entering the stronghold of the Hyundai Creta and the Renault Duster. The Honda BR-V makes a statement with its masculine design and the time-tested 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel.
The Mobilio might undergo a severe price cut, but, if the decline in the sale pattern continues, the manufacturer will have to replace it with a more advanced sibling. One can easily go for the Honda BR-V, provided it is priced in the vicinity of Rs. 8 lacs. For that extra money, Honda is offering increased ground clearance and several exterior and interior equipment such as diamond cut alloys, beefier tyres, multi-information display in the instrument cluster and push start button. So, going for the BR-V makes more sense than choosing the Mobilio, which currently retails at a starting price of Rs. 7 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi).
