Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has overtaken Bajaj Auto to become the second largest two-wheeler manufacturer in India in terms of volumes in the fiscal year ending March 2013. There is a significant difference in the figures of volumes sold by the two-wheeler makers. Bajaj Auto managed to sell a total of 24,63,863 units, which consists of motorcycles only, as the manufacturer no longer produces scooters, while Honda clocked a total sales of 26,06,841 units in the last fiscal, which includes both motorcycles and scooters.
During the 2011-2012 fiscal, Bajaj Auto was way ahead of Honda, selling 25,66,757 units against Honda’s 19,96,320 units. Hero MotoCorp continues to remain the undisputed champion occupying the top position with a total sales figure of 59,12,538 units in fiscal year 2012-13. Looking at the growth rate of Honda, thanks to the aggressive strategies being taken by the Japanese manufacturer, the company has set a target to occupy the top spot in the Indian two-wheeler market beating its erstwhile partner Hero MotoCorp. The basic strategy on which Honda is working, is to introduce new and refreshed models frequently to the market.
In January 2013, Honda commenced operations in its new high tech research and development centre situated at the company’s Manesar plant, near Gurgaon, promising to develop new two-wheelers for the Indian market from ground up. Along with the announcement of the new R&D centre, Honda launched the updated Aviator, Activa and Dio automatic scooters featuring new HET technology that delivers increase fuel efficiency. The Japanese automaker also announced the introduction of the new Honda CB Trigger. The company is currently expanding its operations in India with an aim to produce 1 crore units by 2019-2020.
