Honda to launch four new models in Japan this year[2008]

Honda wants to improve its market share in the Japanese market amid rising concerns that the Japanese have lost interest in cars.In order to garner interest Honda plan to launch four new models in the Japanese domestic market this year[2008].Honda are targeting a 15% marketshare by doing so.

The first of these four models is said to be an all new minivan and would be launched in just a few days time,May 29th 2008 to be precise.This minivan is supposedly called the Freed.It is built on the same platform as the all new honda jazz/fit and can seat upto eight people but in terms of dimensions should not be much longer than the Honda city and is being called a mini "mini-van"[the double usage is intentional].
An artists rendering of the new minivan

Now such a vehicle would be ideal for countries like India too and since it is based on the Honda jazz and city platform not be that difficult for Honda to manufacture in India even.The only problem which I can see is the lack of a diesel option which would most certainly kill the product in India.Even then given the honda brand name in India it may be able to sell a few in honda's stronghold the north indian markets[north india accounts for 40% of honda's sales].But worry not Honda's Ogawa[japan] engine factory is all set to be up and running by the first half of 2009 and apart from petrol engines it will also spin out diesel engines.Now whether that means we will see smaller diesel engines in cars like the honda city and the jazz is anybody's guess but there is certainly something to be optimistic about.

Actual interiors of the mini-minivan

Now as for the rest of the cars to be launched this year by Honda,yes you guessed it right one of them will most certainly be the next generation Honda fit aria or the Honda city as we know it here.AS for the rest I have a feeling one of them is already launched in the form of the all new jazz[however I am not sure if two entirely new models are in the pipeline as well].

[Source:Bloomberg]
[image source:edmunds.com]