Honda Activa Scooter That Saved Scooters!

Few companies have the courage to take risks when it comes to new product launches in any market. Those who do, even the bravest and wisest among them get it wrong at times. Certain products become oblivious before they can even settle down. Yet, there are products that can revive a whole segment that is on its way to extinction.

In the years 2000 – 2001, the motorcycle market was seeing a significant rise thanks to the motorcycles like Hero Honda CBZ and Bajaj Pulsar that literally acted like a pair of steroid injections for the motorcycle industry. About the same time, scooter market saw the biggest decline in the history courtesy of the fact that Bajaj started to shift their focus on motorcycles (the past king of the scooter segment) and Kinetic Honda had lived past its days.

From our (consumer) perspective, we were pretty convinced that we were witnessing the last days of a certain two wheeler in our country. Then, Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) launched something that had an effect equivalent of a nuclear bomb on the Indian two wheeler industry – the came out with Activa. You’ve heard the name!

The gearless scooter that changed the fate of the scooter market right from the moment it was presented in the country. Activa was so good to ride that it felt like we had never ridden a gearless scooter before, it just felt so good it was almost unbelievable that a scooter like this could be made. The 102cc engine producing 7BHP of power was smooth at an unbelievable level. The comfort and handling was something that had never been experienced in any scooter before it. Even to the biggest critic, there wasn’t a single negative aspect to the scooter. Honda quietly took all the praise and proved why they are one of the world’s best two wheeler manufacturers.

Honda set the benchmark so high with Activa that even today there is nothing noticeably better in the market. It is still the highest selling scooter in the country consistently since its launch. In fact, Activa outsold Hero Splendor last year to become the highest selling two wheeler in India.

Honda is also extremely good at studying the market. In partnership with Hero, Honda got a great opportunity and time to study the Indian market and its needs. Given that we are a developing country with one of the world’s largest populations combined with the majority of working class, they understood that the mass market will remain the strongest segment. While motorcycles were doing their thing, Honda was convinced that the market needed something even more practical. They were convinced, by virtue of their ability and experience, that a scooter was what the market needed.

The timing of the launch was perfect. Active didn’t just lift the scooter market, it made it an important part of the two wheeler industry and one of the best sources that would help flourish the industry further. Practicality aspects like the under seat storage combined with fantastic build quality, fit-n-finish and unmatched reliability has catapulted Activa to great success.

Later, Honda used the same engine in Activa and launched a stylish gearless scooter Dio which has been a decent hit as well. Few years back, Activa was upgraded with a 110cc engine which produces 8BHP of power. Today, Activa is sold in three variants – Activa 3G, Activa i and Activa 125 (125cc). The 110cc engine is also used in Honda’s another highly successful scooter, the Aviator.

The scooter market in India owes it to Honda Activa.