Honda Two-wheelers Claims No.1 Position in India by 2015-16

Japanese auto major Honda Motor's Indian two-wheeler arm Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India said that it could become the number one two-wheeler maker in India by 2015-16, seeing the current market scenario. Honda has recently unveiled their new flagship 150cc bike CB Trigger, where the company has termed Bajaj Auto as a more formidable rival than the erstwhile partner and market leader Hero MotoCorp.

HMSI has already grabbed the second position in terms of sales in the Indian two-wheelers market. Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj Auto occupy the first and the third slot respectively. SIAM's sales data shows that HMSI has sold 23.67 lakh units during April, 2012 and February, 2013, Bajaj Auto's sales stood at 22.82 lakh units, while market leader Hero's total sales stood at 54.61 lakh units during the same period.

"Today the market is almost 1.4 crore (units) in India. So, if (it) remains (at the) same level, no growth happening, we may become number one in 2015 or 16," Honda Motor Co's Operating Officer Shinji Aoyama told reporters here. "In terms of numbers, still Hero is number one but very frankly speaking, the consolidated power, including R&D, sales network there, including many of these elements, I think Bajaj is very strong. Bajaj is very good at creating alliance..." he said.

When asked about market leader Hero group's sales, he said that the market leader will continue to lose its share, while Honda will continue to grow its shares. "You will witness actually HMSI is gaining market share while Hero is losing the market share. The trend will continue," Aoyama said.

HMSI has already announced that they will be launching 3-4 more two-wheelers in the current financial year. Hero will launch 4 new bikes/scooters in the Indian market to expand its market share. Besides, Honda has also started the process of exploring new locations to set up a new plant. In a reply of a questions about new partnerships in India after Hero MotoCorp, Aoyama said that Honda is not looking to forge any partnership in the country. However, Hero MotoCorp will continue to get technological support from Honda till 2014 as per the termination agreement of their alliance.

Source: Economic Times