Honda reveals plans to invest Rs 1,000 crore in 2012-13 at Auto Expo

After termination of joint venture between Hero Motors from Indian and Honda Motors of Japan, manufacturing Hero Honda brand of motorcycle both companies are making their separate presence during ongoing Auto Expo 2012. After termination of this alliance, Honda in India is now being sold with new identity as Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Ltd. Recently during ongoing Auto Expo 2012, company unveiled 7 new variants of which 5 variants are targeted for masses whereas other 2 variants are designed for international market for specific segment of customers. Vehicles unveiled by Honda Motors during Auto Expo 2012 include Honda Yuga – 110cc,  Honda CBR 150R, New Honda CB Shine and New Honda Dio Scooter. The other two vehicles of international standard include VT 1300CX and CBR 1000RR 2012. Besides this, few months back Honda had launched its highly anticipated superbike Honda CBR 250R in 250cc segment of Indian bike market.

Briefing about company’s future strategy Mr. Naresh Kumar Rattan said, that till now company has invested Rs 1,800 crore in Indian two wheeler market and now company intends to invest Rs 1,000 crore more in the coming year. Mr. Rattan also said that the 7 new unveiled variants during Auto Expo will be launched on roads during next four months. According to Mr. Rattan the third manufacturing plant would be soon set up in Karnataka. At present company has its manufacturing plants at Manesar and Tapukara in Harayana and Rajasthan respectively. Mr. Rattan hopes that within next two years company will extend its production capacity from 22 lakh units to 40 lakh units per year. According to company reports, company projects to achieve target of producing 1 crore units by 2020. Besides, this company also intends to extend its market share from 15 percent to 30 percent by 2020.

It would  be important to mention here that Honda Motors terminated its joint venture of producing Hero Honda motorcycle from Hero Motors after taking away its share of 26 percent from the joint alliance. To compete with its erstwhile partner Hero MotoCorp, company unveiled seven new variants during Auto Expo 2012 which includes its new bike Honda Dream Yuga in 110cc segment, and is expected to hit the roads during month of May. Besides this other bike which grabbed the attention of audiences during ongoing Auto expo 2012 is junior version of Honda CBR 250R as Honda CBR 150R, which will be launched on roads during April 2012, with price tag less than Rs 1.20 lakh. 

Moving towards the features adorned in its first superbike Honda CBR 250R, it adorns 250cc liquid cooled, 4 stroke, DOHC, 4 valve, single cylinder engine churning out the power of 26 BHP at 8500 rpm and torque of 23 Nm at 7000 rpm supported by 6 speed gearbox. The bike comes in two versions one with anti breaking system and other one with non anti breaking system. The price of non anti breaking version is Rs 1.43 lakh whereas price of anti braking system is Rs 1.68 lakh.

Other features adorned in Honda CBR 250R include self and kick start option that enrich the comfort level of bike. Another impressive feature that enrich bike with aggressive and sporty looks include broad and huge alloy wheels. Besides this, Honda CBR 250R comes integrated with hydraulic disk brakes at both front and rear side, followed by huge petrol tanks with storage capacity of 13 litres, supported by reserve capacity of 3.5 litres. The designed of Honda CBR 250R is totally different from CBR series of bikes from Honda and depicts to be inspired from the design of Honda VFR 1200F which belongs from VFR brigade of bikes from Honda.

Recently two days back Honda CBR 250R was honored with award of Bike of 2012, which is considered as the biggest award by the two wheeler industry. Other variants of CBR bikes from Honda which increases its glory include Honda CBR 1000 RR which is energized with liquid Liquid- cooled 4-Stroke, 16-valve engine.  Honda CBR 1000 RR Fireblade this high defined sportier version of recently launched Honda CBR 250R and almost adorns same features adorned CBR 250R.

The looks of Honda CBR 1000RR and Honda CBR 1000RR Fireblace are very unique and aggressive which can grab attention of everyone at first instance enabling the customers not remove their eyes from bike. With aerodynamic looks, both bikes are supported by multi-reflector headlamps which supports the rider to ride bike conveniently even during dark nights. The new Honda CBR carries colour mask and front mud guard. The dashboard is supported by speedometer, tachometer and fuel guage.

The fuel tanks adds more elegance to looks of Honda CBR which is supported by longer and wider seat that supports the rider with comfort and painless riding experience. The rear side is much more impressive and makes it more appealing. With all these features, all these bikes are ready to grab the attention of huge segment of customers and name of authencity of Honda’s name plays a major role in increasing its supremacy in bike segment.