Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India is preparing new products, specifically targeted to the Indian two-wheeler market, to compete against its yesteryear partner, Hero MotoCorp. The new product portfolio will comprise of about 10 offerings to the Indian audience in the motorcycle and the scooter segment. The new products would be developed at company’s Manesar-based Research and Development centre. The local R&D centre will receive technical assistance and advice from the expertise in Honda’s headquarter, Japan.
But what to expect in 2015 from Honda’s stable? Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India plans to introduce 10 new products, seven of which would be refreshed variants of the existing products while three would be completely new offerings. The process of introducing refreshed products has already begun with the recent launch of the upgraded CB Unicorn commuter motorcycle. We expect Honda to introduce the upgraded CBR-series motorcycles very soon. Honda also plans to introduce a new, low-cost motorcycle for the Indian market in the sub-40,000 INR range.
In an interview to Economic Times, HMSI president and CEO Keita Muramatsu said, “We are working closely with our technical centre to develop motorcycles and scooters keeping in mind the local customers that would change the Indian market in terms of pricing, but would not be a lowcost product. These would be extremely innovative next-gen mobility vehicles bearing the Honda stamp and based on materials sourced from local Indian market that would help us control costs, but maintain high aspirations like most of our brands.”
Can Honda’s upcoming product portfolio can surpass Hero MotoCorp in 2015? Or will Hero MotoCorp continue to reign the top position in the market? We will soon find out.
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