Honda To Launch New Bike To Take On Splendor

Updated: Wednesday, April 3, 2013, 15:06 [IST]

Honda Motorcycle & Scooters India is reportedly planning to launch a new motorcycle in the 100cc - 110cc segment that will compete against Hero MotorCorp's highly successful Splendor, according to ET.

The new Honda mass market motorcycle for India belongs to the Dream series and will be built on the Dream Yuga platform. According to ET sources the bike is being internally referred to as 'K23' and its highlight will be reliability, low fuel consumption and competitive pricing, things that Hero's Splendor excels in.

Things will not be easy for Honda though. It will be an uphill task for Honda to match or even reach anywhere close to Hero MotorCrop's astronomical sales numbers, which stand at a maximum of 2.2 million unit sales annually. Honda's aim would be to sell at least 6 lakh units of the new bike during its first year and combined with Yuga sales the company is aiming at 1.2 million unit sales.

Analysts believe that Honda has a good chance of upsetting Hero Splendor's years of dominance since the model is now dated. While Splendor still delivers what it promises an update is due and Honda's new bike could provide exactly that. However, the new bike should also be able to replicate the positive features of the Splendor, while providing something extra.

Hero MotorCrop might be at the helm of Indian motorcycle industry, but Honda is catching up fast. A Splendor beating ‘Dream' bike is all Honda needs now.