Hero Honda recently introduced the all-new Splendor NXG, which is expected to strengthen its leadership in the deluxe segment. Unveiling the bike in New Delhi, chairman, Brijmohan Lall said, “The Splendor is a symbol of trust and reliability. Its equity is certainly going to get better with this bike.”

The Splendor brand, which includes the Splendor Plus and Super Splendor, accounts for a nearly third of all motorcycles sold by the company. Sales exceed a million units annually, making it the largest selling motorcycle in the world. It has already sold a cumulative 8.5 million units since its launch in 1994.

CEO and managing director of Hero Honda, Pawan Munjal termed the launch “a landmark event in Indian two-wheeler history”. “This not only elevates the largest-selling brand to the next generation, but also offers a unique package of styling and features,” he said.

The Splendor NXG, which is being sold as a new bike and not a variant of the brand, comes with a new engine that delivers marginally more powerful. Company officials say that it develops better power and torque at lower engine rpm. The NXG is priced Rs 41,990 for the cast alloy wheels version, while the spoke version is priced at Rs 40,990.

This places it just Rs 1,000 over the Splendor Plus, and vice-president, marketing & sales, Anil Dua was quick to downplay the possibility of cannibalisation of sales. “The market has been clocking double-digit growth, and we expect this to continue for some time to come. Overall sales penetration is also low and we expect the new bike to widen the appeal of the Splendor to a whole new generation of buyers,” he said.

He added that with the NXG, Hero Honda is poised to further consolidate its 50 percent market share in the motorcycle segment. The NXG is the eighth new model/variant the company has launched in 2006-07.