HMSI plans to launch two new models in FY 12
Speaking after the inauguration of the company’s second production facility at Tapukara in Rajasthan, Keita Muramatsu, president and CEO of HMSI, said that India with its large population is a very important market and second only to China. Honda, with its 26-year engagement with the country, would like to bring to India products most suited for the Indian customer.
The Tapukara plant, which will manufacture the Activa scooter and CB Twister and Shine bikes will become operational from July 2011. In the initial phase, the facility will produce 0.6 million units per annum that will be ramped upto 1.2 million units by March 2012 with a manpower strength of about 3,200, and will play an important role in Honda’s global operations. Utilising production technologies refined at the first plant as a starting point, HMSI says it will strive to improve process ergonomics and employ more advanced automation and other measures to reduce the burden on associates at the second plant. It will also be a more environmentally responsible plant by proactively reducing energy consumption during production. The third plant, to come up in Karnataka, will become operational in the first half of 2013, with an annual production capacity of 1.2 million units. This will increase HMSI’s total annual production capacity to four million units, including 1.6 million units at the Manesar plant.
“India has a growing economy and the penetration of personalised transportation is still low, which makes it very good for the two-wheeler business,” said Rattan. HMSI had recently opened its used bike business and Rattan remarked that it is still in a nascent stage with 300 units sold at five dealer outlets. Going forward, the company’s target is to step up this figure to 1,500 units over 15 dealers. HMSI has so far invested Rs 1,860 crore in its Indian operations.
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