Hero Splendor Trumps Honda Activa in January 2019 Sales Numbers

The 100cc motorcycle widens its sales gap over the 110cc scooter

• Hero Splendor leads the two-wheeler sales charts for January 2019.
• It sold 10,000 units more than its closest competitor, the Honda Activa.
• This is despite Hero Splendor finding lesser buyers compared to last year.
• Hero HF Deluxe grabs third slot followed by the 125cc Honda CB Shine.

The Hero Splendor has emerged as the top-selling two-wheeler in the country in the month of January. It sold over 10,000 units more than the Honda Activa, which was the country’s most popular two-wheeler until August last year. The 100cc motorcycle, which clawed its way back to the top in September, continues to outsell the 110cc scooter. This is despite the Splendors’ sales figures witnessing a dip of over 7,000 units when compared to January last year.

The Honda Activa managed to lose more numbers compared to the same month last year. It has witnessed a drop in sales of a little over 30,000 units. The battle between the 100cc motorcycle and the 110cc scooter has been raging for well over a decade now. Both are household names and have had sales figures that are at par with each other. The increase in sales of the Splendor could point towards an increased demand in Tier II and Tier III cities, or a waning demand for the Honda Activa in urban markets.

Also read: Honda Activa 5G Road Test Review

The Hero HF Deluxe continues to remain in third place, followed by the 125cc Honda CB Shine. Compared to last year, the Bajaj Pulsar has managed to find more buyers this year, jumping up four spots and grabbing the fifth spot on the list. The humble TVS XL Super moped continues to sell well even today and sits in sixth spot. Among 125cc scooters, the Suzuki Access continues to be the most popular and finds itself eighth on the list of top selling two-wheelers in the country. Another new entrant to the list is the Bajaj Platina 110cc motorcycle, which is currently in seventh. The Royal Enfield Classic 350, which was the 10th best-selling two-wheeler in January last year, has managed to drop off from the list. Another bike that has dropped off the list is the Hero Glamour, which occupied sixth spot in January last year.

Overall, two-wheeler sales in January 2019 are substantially lower than the corresponding month last year. The two-wheeler market witnessed a slump last year and is now on its path to recovery. The sales slump can be attributed to many factors, including increasing fuel prices and the switch form BSIII to BSIV emission norms, which resulted in a hike in prices of all motorcycles and scooters sold in the country.