Honda has had a dream run with its CB Unicorn in the 150cc segment. However, the Japanese manufacturer has not been able to introduce another motorcycle that has reached Unicorn sales figures. Thus, Honda has started working on a new product which, it hopes, will achieve healthy sales figures.
Honda CB Unicorn
The upcoming motorcycle will be a premium commuter segment vehicle which would sport a 160cc single-cylinder four stroke engine and is expected to be launched some time between July to September this year. This product is most likely to be place against Yamaha’s FZ series and Bajaj’s 150cc segment motorcycles.
Currently, Honda’s premium commuter portfolio currently includes the CB Unicorn and CB Trigger. The CB Unicorn Dazzler which made its debut at the Auto Expo 2010 and launched later that year, has now been discontinued. Honda introduced the CB Trigger in mid-2013 but the model failed to deliver in terms of big numbers, majorly because of pricing.
Another product in pipeline is an offering in 110cc segment. Honda plans to introduce another model in its Dream series which will be sold alongside Dream Yuga and Dream Neo.
Honda Dream Yuga
The company, at its recent 13th annual business meet in Japan, announced that it expects to meet 45 lakh unit sales for 2014-15. Last year, the company managed to clock a sales figure of 37,21,935 units including exports. For Q1 FY2014-15, total sales figure came up to 9,92,892 units, a 34.05 percent growth over Q1 FY2013-14 when the company managed to see 7,40,687 units. Notably, the company has managed to sell nearly a million two-wheelers in the first quarter.
The 160cc segment is already occupied by Yamaha’s FZ series and TVS Apache. Moreover, Pulsar has had the 180cc variant which has been in the market for over a decade now. Honda needs to price its product competitively to make its presence felt.
Stay tuned into Motoroids as we get you more on this 1600cc premium commuter motorcycle from Honda as and when they arrive. Do share your comments below.
Source: Autocar Professional