Karnataka: Honda’s Rs 600 crore electric two-wheeler manufacturing unit to start operations soon

Honda

Honda’s electric two-wheeler manufacturing unit, with an investment of about Rs 600 crore, will soon begin operations at the Narasapura industrial area in Kolar, the company informed a high-level Karnataka delegation led by Industries Minister MB Patil during its visit to Japan.

This will be Honda’s first dedicated electric two-wheeler manufacturing facility in India. The agreement, signed during the Global Investors Meet in February, is now set for rollout. “The matter was raised during a meeting with Honda’s executive vice president Noriya Kaihara. This project will create significant employment opportunities in Karnataka’s automobile sector,” said Patil in a statement on September 8.

Honda executives said that the Narasapura two-wheeler plant, producing more than 2.4 million vehicles annually, is already the company’s largest in India. The new investment will add electric mobility to its operations. The delegation also urged Honda to expand beyond the two-wheeler segment, with the state assuring full support.

The delegation’s visit to Japan focused on building Karnataka as a hub for semiconductors, electronics, and advanced manufacturing.

Tokyo Electron, which has set up a development base in Bengaluru for new materials and production efficiency, discussed semiconductor opportunities with the delegation. Mitsubishi Electric shared details of its Karnataka presence in CNC controllers, elevators, UPS systems, and chillers. Yokogawa, a multinational electrical engineering and software company which employs over 2,000 people in Bengaluru, said its facilities are nearing capacity and signalled expansion plans. Electronics and semiconductor player Restar discussed strengthening Karnataka’s electronics value chain. The company, entering a joint venture with an Indian partner to launch distribution operations, was encouraged to explore EMS manufacturing in Bengaluru.