Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has added two new editions to its 2015 automatic scooter lineup. With this, the company now has eight new two-wheelers model launches in just the first half of 2015, if you count new paintjobs as new model launches, that is.
The first of these is the “Live your Style” 2015 edition of the Honda Aviator. Done up in a new two-tone “rich brown” and Silver Strand Metallic colour, it is purely a cosmetic upgrade and joins the existing three colour options in HMSI’s existing Aviator line-up: Rebel Red Metallic, Pearl Sunbeam White and Pearl Ingenious Black. Features and powertrain options remain the same.
Next up is the Honda Activa i in two new Deluxe colours viz. Pearl Amazing White and Orchid Purple Metallic. The standard model of the Activa i will also come in black now, in addition to the existing Pearl Amazing White, Autumn Beige Metallic and Alpha Red Metallic.
The 2015 Aviator range will be available at all Honda dealerships by the end of this month, priced at Rs. 50,863 for the Standard version and Rs. 56,209 for the Deluxe version (both ex-showroom, Delhi). The 2015 Activa i range will also be available in Honda dealerships across the country by the end of this month, with the Standard model priced at Rs. 46213, and the Deluxe model at Rs. 46703 (both ex-showroom, Delhi).
Honda has also roped in South Indian actress Taapsee Pannu as the brand ambassador for the Aviator and Activa i. Speaking at the fashion event where the new models were unveiled, the actress said, ““I still remember, my Honda scooter was the first ever vehicle which I bought way back in 2005 as I had just started to pursue my dreams. From daily rides to college to making my way to the modelling assignments; Activa has been my reliable and trusted companion, and I still ride it whenever I am back in Delhi. Such is my karmic connection with Honda, that even in my upcoming film RunningShaadi.com, I am once again riding an Activa i on screen!
Looking back, I think learning to ride a two-wheeler was the best decision I took in life as the freedom of mobility allowed me to not only develop an independent streak, but also empowered me to live my life on my own accord as a woman of today. I am deeply honored to be associated with Honda and hope to inspire many other young and talented people to take their flight in mobility with Honda scooters.
The new Aviator offer (sic) a perfect blend of irresistible style and performance and I can’t wait to take them out on the road.”
Keita Muramatsu, President & CEO, HMSI and Honda Motor India, said of the new models: “India is a focus market for Honda & it is significant that Honda’s 2wheeler operations in India is the 2nd largest contributor to Honda’s global sales. Today, one in every four two-wheelers sold by Honda worldwide is from India. I am confident that given our continued investment and growth, we will become No. 1 two-wheeler market for Honda globally within next 2-3 years.
Honda’s future growth in India will be co-driven by its scooter portfolio. Even as Honda dominates this segment with every 2nd scooter being sold today in India being a Honda, we are further strengthening our leadership with the 2 new scooter launches today.
At the same time Honda is expanding its production capacity foreseeing the future potential of automatic scooter demand. Our upcoming 4th plant will be the World’s largest only scooter plant and will start operation at Gujarat in early 2016.”
Speaking on the brand association with Taapsee Pannu, Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Senior VP, Sales & Marketing, HMSI, said: “Today, as India is progressing, one in every 3 Honda scooter customers is a female. Every month around 75,000 female customers are joining Honda Scooter family. More number of females are now venturing out of their homes and see two-wheeler riding as the ultimate expression of empowered mobility.
We welcome the young and vibrant Taapsi Pannu as a new brand ambassador today for taking forward Brand Honda’s emotional connect especially with its female fans. As someone who has realized her dreams with the Honda scooter as her trusted choice, we hope that Taapsi will be an inspiration to many others like her to take their flight on Honda Wings and empower themselves.”