Honda Aims To Beat Hero At Its Own Game

Despite the failure to dethrone the Splendor from its perch, the Japanese manufacturer continues to be bullish on the mass-market motorcycle segment.

• Hero MotoCorp’s Splendor is the largest selling motorcycle in India.
• The Splendor sold 2,68,377 units in October, 2018.
• Honda’s current 100-110cc mass-market motorcycle portfolio includes the Livo and the Dream series.

Ever since they went their separate ways in 2010, Hero MotoCorp and Honda have engaged in a duel to dominate the Indian two-wheeler market. While Honda has clearly stolen a march over Hero in the 125cc-160cc motorcycle and the scooter segments, the latter has managed to hold on to the mass-market motorcycle pie. But in a recent interview to ET Auto, HMSI president Minoru Kato declared the company is intent on wresting that honour from Hero as well.

This comes in the backdrop of the Hero Splendor retaining its position as the largest selling motorcycle in India. Hero sold 2,68,377 units of the model in October 2018. What’s interesting here is that the second place too goes to Hero MotoCorp, courtesy the HF Deluxe. The motorcycle sold 2,00,312 in October 2018. When put together, these two motorcycles sold almost half a million units for Hero in October.

This has not gone unnoticed by HMSI (Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India). Although the company’s Activa range has garnered the tag of India’s largest selling two-wheeler several times, Honda has set its sights on capturing the mass-motorcycle segment with its own offerings. Currently, the Japanese manufacturer offers the Livo and the Dream series of motorcycles in the 110cc segment. For Hero, the Splendor, the HF Deluxe and the Passion are its main contenders in this segment. Honda and Hero also go head-to-head in the 125cc segment with the CB Shine and the Glamour, respectively.

Acknowledging the customer preference for the Splendor, Kato said the company is working on upgrading its lineup of entry-level motorcycles for higher fuel efficiency and better ride and handling characteristics. However, Kato explicitly stated that the company does not intend to get into the lower entry-level motorcycle segment that is dominated by offerings like the CT 100 and Platina from Bajaj.