Honda not moving out of Karnataka, says M.B. Patil

Honda Motor, a Japanese motorcycle manufacturer, has not announced plans to relocate its operations from Karnataka, according to Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil. Refuting claims made by Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Patil labeled the statement as "baseless and politically motivated." The minister emphasized that Honda has been operating in the state since 2011, having been allocated 135 acres of land in phases at Narasapura, Kolar district, where it has been manufacturing two-wheelers since 2013. Currently, the company produces 10,000 vehicles daily, employing over 7,800 people.

Patil further informed that Honda also maintains a 35-acre spare-parts warehousing and distribution facility at Adinarayana Hosahalli, in Doddaballapura taluk, serving the entire southern region. He urged Kumaraswamy to make statements responsibly, acknowledging Honda's strong association with Karnataka.

The minister also noted that Honda is planning to venture into electric two-wheeler manufacturing and intends to initiate production at its Narasapura campus in the coming days. Patil further criticized Kumaraswamy for making irresponsible remarks, stating that such statements could potentially undermine the state's industrial growth. He questioned Kumaraswamy's motivations, suggesting that his claims about companies moving to other states could be detrimental to Karnataka's interests.