Comments
Honda Motorcycles strengthened its portfolio in the domestic mass biking segment with the launch of its second 110cc model — the ‘Dream Yuga'.
With prices starting at Rs 44,462 (in Delhi), the Dream Yuga joins the more stylish CB Twister (starts Rs 45,140) in the segment, and targets the semi-urban, rural markets. The ‘Dream' brand, in fact, derives its name from the first mass motorcycle launched in 1949 by founder, Mr Soichiro Honda.
This also marks Honda's entry into the former partner Hero's stronghold, just over a year after the two companies broke up their 27-year-old joint venture. Hero MotoCorp's popular models in the mass segment include the CD Dawn/Deluxe ( Rs 36,300) and the Splendor range ( Rs 42,950)
Mr Yadvinder S. Guleria, Vice-President – Sales and Marketing at Honda Motorcyle and Scooter India (HMSI), said, “In line with its development concept of a ‘True India specific mass motorcycle,' Dream Yuga at its attractive price is ideal for those who desire a robust, reliable, easy to maintain, highly fuel efficient yet stylish bike.”
Fuel efficiency
The Dream Yuga delivers 8.5 BHP of power and delivers fuel efficiency of 72 kmpl. While HMSI's current sales is tilted towards scooters, this is expected to help deliver half of overall volumes from bikes going forward.
With an aim to lead the domestic market by 2020, the two volume bike models and its popular scooter range, are expected to help Honda grow the contribution of India to global motorbike revenues to 30 per cent by 2020 (from 13 per cent last fiscal).
In 2011-12, HMSI claimed the third largest two-wheeler maker mantle from TVS Motor, and is now biting hard at the heels of Bajaj Auto. Production capacity is also being rapidly increased in line with demand. After a plant in Manesar and Tapukara, a third plant is currently being built near Bangalore, with plans reportedly for two more in the next few years.
Cumulative production
Cumulative production is expected to touch four million by the first half of next year, even as sales are expected to grow 30 per cent to 2.75 million in 2012-13.
To connect with a large target audience, HMSI has adopted a new corporate direction and roped in Bollywood icon Akshay Kumar to deliver the brand message.
Comments
COMMENT NOW
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.