Honda Jazz has been finally released for the Indian car market. It has put to rest all speculation about it pricing as Honda announced that it was offering Jazz with a price tag of Rs 7 lakh,

Honda Jazz will re-define the small cars segment in India. Although it is a hatchback, Jazz comes with a price tag more than many sedans. Hence it is called super hatchback.  The car is marketed in nearly 130 Honda markets across the world and it has arrived in the country, eight years after it was first launched in Japan. Since its launch Honda has sold nearly 25 lakh units in these markets.

Honda Jazz is fitted with a new engine specifically designed for Indian conditions. Honda claims that it delivers higher fuel economy and better performance. It is special about Honda Jazz is that it is venturing into a segment that has been a strongly fort for car with value. Earlier, when Skoda dabbled in the segment with their small car Fabia with a price tag of Rs 7 lakh onwards, it met with limited success. Now Honda has brought the Jazz with the similar pricing. It is called the superhatch due to its pricing, making it the second most expensive after the costliest Fiat 500.

After Honda Jazz, four other super hatchbacks - Volkswagen Polo, Hyundai i30 and Renault Sandero are set to roll into the country. Fiat Grande Punto will hit the stands next week. All these cars are priced between Rs 6 to Rs 8 lakh bracket, these are larger, more spacious and offer typical hatchback comfort.  However, these super hatches promise multi-airbags, anti-lock brake system, climate controls, high quality audio system and sunroof options.  These features were only seen on luxury cars like the high flying Toyotas and Hondas.

Jazz has changed that scenario forever. Car manufacturers are planning to aggressively market their small cars by highlighting their features and technology. Honda has given Jazz a 1.2litre i-VTEC engine which will be widely publicized in India. Also its interior features which match the new Honda City, will be highlighted too.

Volkswagen has given the Indian bound Polo a 1.2 litre petrol engine and a 1.6 litre diesel powertrain to make it acceptable to a wider section of consumers. Volkswagen claims that Polo offers fun and more style than any other hatchback in the country.

These car manufacturers are expecting small car owners to upgrade to premium hatchbacks segment in near future. They are also targeting people who would not mind the cost of ownership of such costly hatchbacks.

In the last fiscal year only 10,000 units of the premium hatchbacks including Skoda Fabia, Ford Fusion and Chevrolet SR-V were sold. However, the new superhatch launches are expected to push the sales to 40,000 - 50,000 units annually. A large portion of these sales are lily to be of Honda Jazz. Honda will bank on its reputation for comfort and performance gained through its sedans. This is likely to help sell more numbers of Jazz in India.