Hero vs Honda: Inside the Race for India's Two-Wheeler Crown

India’s two-wheeler market is at a historic crossroads. Once defined by utility and mass mobility, it is now being reshaped by premium aspirations, electric transitions, and discerning urban consumers. At the heart of this transformation lies a fierce rivalry between two titans—Hero MotoCorp, the long-reigning domestic champion, and Honda, the global heavyweight known for its exacting ambition.

With its legacy of rugged reliability and rural reach, Hero has long dominated the roads with models like the Splendor and HF Deluxe. But the ground beneath is shifting. Honda’s aggressive playbook—spanning scooters, midsize motorcycles, and EVs—is rapidly gaining traction, challenging Hero’s ...