By now, we are all well aware of Honda’s small car. The upcoming car was displayed at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi in January this year. Car makers needn’t have second thoughts on the potential of India’s small car market if they are planning to introduce their small car offerings here but are apprehensive about the sales. However, there are a few aspects that catch the eyes of Indians before anything else; the price tag and mileage. Have these two put in place and your car may be a superhit. Unfortunately, Honda is still a learner when it comes to cost-consciousness.

Honda’s upcoming entry level car may be priced somewhere around Rs 5 Lakh which is a little expensive compared to the little darlings we already have plying on our roads. Now comes the twist to the story. Honda has also started evaluating the potential of China’s small-displacement car market and now plans to launch a new small car there. Everybody can see the bright future the country holds for cars. Everyone in China wants a car and the 100-km long traffic jam spread over more than 10 days stands as proof.

Gasgoo reports that Honda China president Seiji Kuraishi announced in an interview that a Honda small car, codenamed TIF, would be launched in China. Now, our question is, does the TIF have anything to do with Honda’s India-bound small car?

The new car will possibly feature a 1.0 litre and a 1.3 litre engine and would be priced between 60,000 yuan-80,000 yuan ($8,800-$11,700). That would translate into Rs. 4.12-5.48 Lakh. Do you still believe it could be the Honda New Small car? The 1.3-liter petrol engine will not make it eligible for small car benefits in India though. So, if it’s the New Small, Honda may introduce just the 1-litre engine in the Indian version. The small car would be pitted against the Nissan March and Chevy Sail in China.

The Japanese car maker seems to be very certain of launching the car in the Chinese market and the government’s policies to propel the auto industry must be boosting Honda’s spirits further. Sources say that the Honda TIF is the best car in the segment that comes with the most stylish looks, eye-catchy features and extremely user-friendly controls.

It is also said that the small car offers the best mileage in the segment with excellent comfort and safety features. They say, just have a glance at its interior you will fall in love with it. Well, bring it to India and we’ll decide if it’s true. Seiji Kuraishi is reported to have said that Honda has posted sales of over 130,000 vehicles in China in 2009 and is expected to boost its sales to around 150,000 units this year in the world’s biggest auto market.