Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has launched 2015 editions of its Aviator and Activa automatic scooters, taking the new two-wheeler model launches to eight in the last six months.

The Japanese major plans to come out with seven more models during the year to continue the momentum, and make India its No. 1 two-wheeler market.

Keita Muramatsu, President and CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said: “India is a focus market for Honda and it is significant that Honda's two-wheeler operations in India is the second largest contributor to Honda's global sales.” As the company sets up its fourth plant in India at Gujarat, it also expects to make India its biggest market for two-wheelers. “I am confident that India will become No.1 two-wheeler market for Honda globally within two to three years,” he said.

Honda said that their Gujarat unit would be ready next year. The installed capacity of 4.6 million units across three plants would go up to 5.8 million units by early 2016 with the commissioning of a new plant with a capacity of 1.2 million.

He said the Gujarat plant will be the world’s largest only-scooter plant. The Aviator scooters are priced at ₹50,863 and ₹56,209 ex-showroom, respectively. The Activa scooters are priced at ₹46,213 and ₹46,703 ex-showroom respectively in New Delhi.

Referring to current market conditions, the Honda official said, “The demand has to pick up as the sentiment continues to be subdued. Good monsoons will also help boost volume from rural markets.”

The company has a share of about 27 per cent in the Indian two-wheeler market, and expects to increase it as it commissions another plant and rolls out more models.

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