Hero to discontinue four models

Hero MotoCorp will discontinue four two-wheeler offerings from the Indian market by end of 2016

At the launch of its first indigenously developed motorcycle – Splendor iSmart 110, Hero officials had said that it will be discontinuing four models from the Indian market. Hero will remove the Maestro scooter, Ignitor 125cc bike, Passion XPro commuter bike and the Impulse. The main reason for discontinuation of these models is the fact that the country’s largest two-wheeler maker has to pay a royalty to Honda for every bike sold. Honda supplies powerplant for all the above four mentioned offerings.

Hero already has developed a new 110cc motor for the Duet and the Maestro Edge scooters hence the discontinuation of the Maestro doesn’t really come as a surprise. This leaves the Hero Pleasure to be the only scooter in its range to get a Honda powerplant and we feel Hero might soon launch a female oriented scooter as a replacement for the Pleasure with its own drive train. The Hero Passion XPro sports the same 110cc motor as seen on the Dream series of Honda. 

With the Splendor iSmart 110 getting an indigenously developed 110cc mill, it was inevitable that the Passion XPro would also be equipped with the new Hero developed 110cc engine. For the Hero Ignitor and the Impulse, the reason is simple as sales have been disappointed for both the motorcycles. But there is a rumour that Hero might relaunch the Impulse in the Indian market with a more powerful motor but the company officials were very tight lipped in divulging details.