Honda Cars India is exploring partnerships in India as the Japanese automaker seeks to expand scale, reduce costs, and improve its position in the country's passenger vehicle market, according to senior company executives.

"Obviously, we are always open. At this moment, unfortunately, we do not have anything more to share," said Takashi Nakajima, President and CEO of Honda Cars India, when asked whether Honda is seeking partnerships in India. "Strategy-wise, it can be said that the company remains open and is actively searching for partners."

However, Nakajima did not disclose whether the discussions involve technology-sharing agreements, cross-badging arrangements, powertrain sourcing, or supply partnerships with other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

The comments represent the first official confirmation from Honda management that the company is evaluating partnerships in India, several months after a local automotive publication reported that Honda Cars India was exploring alliances with domestic OEMs for future India-focused programmes.

Potential partnerships could help Honda improve manufacturing scale and localisation levels while expanding its product portfolio in India. The company currently operates manufacturing facilities in Greater Noida and Tapukara, Rajasthan.

Honda is also revising its India strategy following several years of declining market share and a reduced product line-up. Its current portfolio is limited to the Elevate SUV, City sedan, and Amaze sedan, leaving the company absent from several high-volume segments, particularly the sub-4-metre SUV category.

Globally, Honda management has acknowledged that the company's traditional "global standard" product strategy had not fully aligned with Indian customer requirements. Honda now considers India one of its three core global markets alongside North America and Japan. The company plans to introduce India-focused models from 2028, targeting the sub-4-metre SUV and midsize SUV segments.

The company's focus on partnerships comes at a time when global automakers are increasingly relying on alliances to share development costs and technologies. In India, collaborations such as Suzuki-Toyota, Renault-Nissan, and Tata Motors-Stellantis have expanded in recent years as manufacturers seek greater scale and faster product development.