Report - Honda Brio SUV to share engine specifications with the Mobilio

News comes in from Indonesia this week that the local operations would manufacture two SUVs in the future - the Vezel in the premium segment, and the Brio-based SUV in the entry segment.

iOtomotif got in touch with Mr. Jonfis Fandy, Director of Marketing and After Sales of Honda Prospect Motor (HPM) who says the "launch of the Honda Brio SUV version could happen, because the platform is suited and reliable."

Fandy did not confirm if the model would be manufactured in Indonesia as "there has been no discussion on it at this time" but the company is ready with the "capacity and production capability". Honda's annual production capacity in Indonesia would be 200,000 units per year helped by the opening of a new factory in Java in the coming weeks which produces the Mobilio.

Without providing brands, a top Honda official had confirmed at the Tokyo Motor Show last year that the three-row MPV and the SUV were segments in which products were planned in 2015 in India. Since then a few media reports have ruled out the Vezel's chances in India citing high production cost. When quizzed by an Indonesian reporter if the Vezel would foray into Indonesia, the official asked him to keep his hopes up.

iOtomotif adds that the Brio SUV would share the same 1.5-liter petrol engine as the Mobilio.