Auto Expo 2014: Hero MotoCorp bets big on scooters

Having revealed its tech-laden repertoire of motorcycles yesterday, Hero MotoCorp took the covers off three new scooter models, thereby expanding its existing scooter portfolio comprising the 100cc Pleasure and 110cc Maestro. 

Speaking at the reveal, Pawan Munjal, MD and CEO, said: “We have more than 30 two-wheeler models on display at this Auto Expo that includes our new platforms, existing models and some of the new concepts based on alternate fuel and technology. Amongst the ones that are at pre-production stage include high-powered motorcycles and India’s first series hybrid scooter. Our repertoire now becomes much more wide-ranging and diversified with the launch of a bouquet of exciting new scooters. We are rapidly expanding our scooter portfolio with the clear objective of attaining leadership in this segment.”

The all-new 150cc Zir scooter range comes in two variants, the flat-floorboard model and a European-style step-thru model. These scooters are powered by a liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 2-valve OHC engine that develops 10.5 kW and torque of 12.7 Nm. They get an integrated hydraulic braking system combined with hydraulic disc brakes in the front and at the rear. Top speed is a claimed 110kph.

Then there’s the aggressively styled 125cc Dare which is targeted at male riders, marking the company’s foray in the fast-growing 125cc scooter segment. The Dare is slated for a launch in the second half of 2014-15. Hero also showcased the recently unveiled, 110cc Dash scooter. 

With this expanded product range, Hero expects to further enhance its presence in the scooter segment. Its share in the scooter market has been consistently rising, selling an average of over 60,000 units a month (Pleasure and Maestro). The company is now scaling up its monthly production of scooters to over 75,000 units to meet the increasing market demand.

Chief Pawan Munjal is clearly bullish on the scooter market in India and expects the overall scooter share to rise from the current 25 percent to 30-35 percent of the overall 2-wheeler market in the near future.

Photograph: Pawan Munjal, MD and CEO, Hero MotoCorp, with actor Ranbir Kapoor.