Japan-based Honda to open its first EV two-wheeler manufacturing plant in India at Karnataka's Narasapura

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), the local subsidiary of the Japanese auto major, will commission its first dedicated electric two-wheeler manufacturing facility in India at Narasapura in Kolar district, Karnataka.

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The project, involving an investment of about Rs 600 crore, was confirmed during a meeting between HMSI executives and a high-level delegation from Karnataka led by Industries Minister M. B. Patil on a visit to Japan.

The new plant will be located adjacent to HMSI’s existing Narasapura unit, which produces more than 2.4 million two-wheelers annually and is the company’s largest in India. Honda said the investment, aligned with a memorandum of understanding signed at the Global Investors Meet earlier this year, is now being rolled out.

“This project will create significant employment opportunities in Karnataka’s automobile sector,” Patil said.

The facility will manufacture electric scooters for both domestic and export markets. HMSI currently retails two battery-powered models, the Activa e:, equipped with a swappable battery system supported by charging stations in Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai, and the QC1, which runs on a fixed battery with a range of 80 kilometers per charge. Both models are currently assembled at Narasapura; the new plant is expected to expand capacity and integrate electric mobility into Honda’s mainstream operations.

During discussions, the delegation urged Honda to explore investments beyond the two-wheeler segment, assuring government support for future expansions. Noriya Kaihara, Director, Executive Vice President and Representative Executive Officer of Honda, led the company’s engagement with the delegation.

The visit was part of Karnataka’s broader outreach to Japanese industry leaders. Meetings were also held with Mitsubishi Electric, Yokogawa Electric, Tokyo Electron, and Restar Holdings to strengthen partnerships in semiconductors, electronics, and advanced manufacturing. Tokyo Electron, which operates a development base in Bengaluru, discussed opportunities tied to India’s semiconductor push.

Mitsubishi Electric highlighted its activities in CNC controllers, elevators, UPS systems, and chillers. Yokogawa, employing over 2,000 in Bengaluru, said its facilities are nearing capacity and signaled plans for expansion.

Restar Holdings, a key player in electronics and semiconductor solutions, outlined plans to enter a joint venture with an Indian partner to establish distribution operations in India, and was encouraged to explore electronics manufacturing services in Bengaluru.

Patil was accompanied by senior officials including Selvakumar, Principal Secretary, Department of Commerce and Industries, and Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development. The delegation emphasized Karnataka’s semiconductor ecosystem and skilled workforce, positioning the state as a natural destination for high-value Japanese investments.