Honda to make 650cc-plus bikes in India
- Published in Automotive
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NEW DELHI: Japan's Honda Motor Co has decided to manufacture higher-powered bikes in India 650cc to 1,000cc and beyond as the company looks to increase market share after becoming the second-biggest maker ahead of home-grown players such as Bajaj Auto and TVS.
After the split with Hero group in 2011, Honda has had a successful run in the mainline commuter business, led by its scooter models. The company sold 42.6 lakh two-wheelers in India in 2014-15, lower than HeroMoto's 64.31 lakh units, but higher than 21.07 lakh units of TVS and Bajaj's 17.7 lakh units. Honda Motor witnessed 20% growth, while Hero Moto grew 5%, TVS 20% and Bajaj went down by 16%.
Now, Honda wants to manufacture aspirational motorcycles in India as the market for such two-wheelers which are generally priced above Rs 5 lakh is gradually growing. Manufacturing locally will help the company avoid the high import duty, while also developing India as a manufacturing base for such powerful machines.
The most-powerful motorcycle currently manufactured by Honda in India is the 250cc CBR250R (priced around Rs 1.6 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi). The company now wants to add CBR650F (650cc) in the coming months, while having an ambition to follow it up with 1,000cc and above.
The company sells high-powered bikes in India, but these are highly-expensive as they are imported units. The vehicles include the CBR1000RR (16 lakh), Gold Wing (Rs 29 lakh), and the VT1300CX (Rs 14 lakh).
After the split with Hero group in 2011, Honda has had a successful run in the mainline commuter business, led by its scooter models. The company sold 42.6 lakh two-wheelers in India in 2014-15, lower than HeroMoto's 64.31 lakh units, but higher than 21.07 lakh units of TVS and Bajaj's 17.7 lakh units. Honda Motor witnessed 20% growth, while Hero Moto grew 5%, TVS 20% and Bajaj went down by 16%.
Now, Honda wants to manufacture aspirational motorcycles in India as the market for such two-wheelers which are generally priced above Rs 5 lakh is gradually growing. Manufacturing locally will help the company avoid the high import duty, while also developing India as a manufacturing base for such powerful machines.
The most-powerful motorcycle currently manufactured by Honda in India is the 250cc CBR250R (priced around Rs 1.6 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi). The company now wants to add CBR650F (650cc) in the coming months, while having an ambition to follow it up with 1,000cc and above.
The company sells high-powered bikes in India, but these are highly-expensive as they are imported units. The vehicles include the CBR1000RR (16 lakh), Gold Wing (Rs 29 lakh), and the VT1300CX (Rs 14 lakh).
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- Bike
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