Honda Siel Motors will launch India’s first hybrid car in the form of Civic on June 18th, 2008 in Delhi. The car runs on a combination of a high torque electric motor and a petrol engine.

“It will be available at all our 80 dealerships across the country for test drive on the same day,” said Masahiro Takedagawa, president and CEO of Honda Siel Cars India Ltd. He said, while the company does not expect to sell more than 300-400 cars in the first year, the idea is to give its Indian customers an experience of the car.

The car would be completely imported from Honda’s factory in Suzuka, Japan and will cost upwards of Rs. 20 lakhs, as a result of hefty 104% duty on imported automobiles. These announcements were made by President and CEO of Honda Siel India, Mr. Takedagawa on the inaugration of Honda’s second dealership in hyderabad.