Hero MotoCorp January Sales Rise 26% YoY, Led by Scooters, Premium Motorcycles

Hero MotoCorp reported a strong start to 2026, posting a 26% year-on-year rise in wholesale dispatches in January, led by sharp growth in scooters and sustained traction in the motorcycle portfolio.

The country’s largest two-wheeler maker dispatched 557,871 units in January, compared with 442,873 units a year earlier. Retail momentum also remained healthy, with 491,986 vehicles registered on VAHAN, reflecting steady consumer demand across key markets.

The company said growth during the month was driven by its expanding scooter range and improving demand for the 125cc and above motorcycle segment.

In January, the company’s scooter dispatches rose 46% year-on-year to 61,982 units in January 2026, up from 42,580 units in the year-ago period. Demand was supported by newer offerings such as the Xoom and Destini, which continue to gain traction in urban and semi-urban markets.

Motorcycle volumes increased 24% to 495,889 units, compared with 400,293 units in January 2025. Growth was led by premium and executive motorcycles, including the Xtreme and Glamour X, as consumers showed a clear preference for feature-rich and higher-displacement products.

In January, the company’s domestic dispatches grew 26% year-on-year to 520,208 units, from 412,378 units a year earlier. The domestic market accounted for over 93% of Hero MotoCorp’s total volumes during the month.

Exports continued to post double-digit growth. Overseas dispatches rose 24% to 37,663 units, compared with 30,495 units in January 2025. The company said strong demand for its premium portfolio supported growth across several international markets.

Overall two-wheeler volumes benefited from improving sentiment following GST rationalisation and a gradual shift towards better-priced models, said an analyst. The Indian two-wheeler industry has been showing signs of recovery in recent months, aided by improving rural sentiment, festive demand spillover, and easing inflationary pressures. However, growth remains uneven, with premium motorcycles and scooters outperforming entry-level commuter segments.

Manufacturers have also been focusing on product refreshes and feature upgrades to drive volumes, as price sensitivity remains high in the mass market.

VIDA Gains Traction

Hero MotoCorp’s electric vehicle arm, VIDA, continued to build momentum in the emerging mobility segment. The company recorded 13,000 VAHAN registrations in January 2026, marking a 21% month-on-month increase over 10,701 units in December.

Growth was driven by sustained demand for the VIDA VX2, supported by network expansion and a healthy pipeline of bookings in key cities.

Year-to-date Performance

For the April–January period of FY26, Hero MotoCorp dispatched 5.31 million units, up 7% from 4.96 million units in the corresponding period last year. Motorcycle volumes rose 4% year-on-year to 4.81 million units, while scooter dispatches surged 46% to 502,010 units, reflecting the company’s growing presence in the scooter segment.

During the period, the company’s domestic sales increased 5.3% to 4.99 million units, while exports climbed sharply by 45.4% to 315,845 units.