When it comes to the manufacturing and sales of green cars Honda makes few mistakes. So when it confidently strides into the Indian automobile market, taking hybrid cars to the country for the first time, it’s easy to believe it will be a success.

India has already established a strong demand for electric vehicles which comes from buyers who are conscious both about the environment and about keeping running costs down. Electric cars present great value, both in terms of their costs over a lifetime and the initial acquisition price.

As such the Reva electric car has achieved mammoth success as a plug-in electric vehicle. So now Honda believes that it can take hybrid cars to the country in the form of the Honda Civic Hybrid.

The vehicle was officially launched in India earlier this month, but with a much higher retail price than that of electric alternatives, Honda is clear about its expectations for the vehicle. It describes it as a technology showcase while making a daring attempt to offer mainstream car buyers the opportunity to experience hybrid technology.

Clearly with such market demand in India, which is rapidly emerging as one of the strongest vehicle portals in the world, it’s a risk that may well pay off for the Japanese giant.