Auto Expo 2014: HMSI announces fourth plant in India, in Gujarat

With the Auto Expo as a platform, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has announced its new – and fourth – plant in the Ahmedabad district of Gujarat. The new facility, which is slated to become operational in 2015, will have an initial annual production capacity of 1.2 million units. This capacity expansion will increase HMSI's total annual production capacity to 5.8 million units, including 1.6 million units at the first plant (Haryana), 1.2 million units at the second plant (Rajasthan) and 1.8 million units at the third plant (Karnataka).

With its three existing plants covering North and South India, HMSI says the new plant will help it cater better and faster to the western region which contributes over 25 percent to HMSI’s overall business.

Announcing the plan, Takanobu Ito, president, CEO & Representative Director, Honda Motor Company, Japan, said: "HMSI sales volumes have already reached second position for Honda's two-wheeler business worldwide. We believe India may soon be the top market for Honda. I am happy to announce Honda will reach closer to customers with its new fourth plant in Gujarat. We will invest an additional Rs 1,100 crore for creating new 1.2 million units annual capacity."

Meanwhile, revealing Honda's roadmap for India,  Keita Muramatsu, president & CEO, HMSI, said: "We are moving ahead on full throttle. Our customer-driven, cutting-edge R&D from the Technical Center and superior technology products will be supported by aggressive production capacity expansion to 5.8 million units by FY 2015-16 and speedy addition of new 500 touch-points to our network. Customer needs in India are evolving and we are all set to grab the opportunity with our new product line-up which will include all-new Activa 125 and the soon- to-be-launched CBR 650F, Honda’s largest-displacement motorcycle for India, made in India."

At the Auto Expo, HMSI showcased nine new India-specific two-wheelers across the motorcycle and scooter segments. While the new 125cc Activa is to be sold from Q1 of FY2015, the big news is that HMSI will introduce the CBR650F sportsbike here in 2016. The CBR650F, which will be assembled in India, is powered by an all-new 650cc, four-cylinder, DOHC engine that develops 87bhp at 11,000rpm and a peak torque of 6.4kgm at 8000rpm. The engine will be mated to a six-speed gearbox. 

Honda claims it has tuned the fuel injection to provide good torque in the low- and mid-rpm range, especially below 4000rpm. The CBR650F will come with ABS as standard. Demand for sportsbikes in India is on the rise and Honda’s plan to assemble the CBR650F in India will result in lower pricing, thereby putting this mid-level sportsbike within reach of many motorcycling enthusiasts. When launched, it will compete against the Kawasaki Ninja 650 and the Triumph Street Triple.

At the Expo, among other products, HMSI has also displayed the CX-01 concept developed by Honda R&D India. Keeping it company is the true-blue racing machine RC 213V (2013 World Moto GP winning bike) and the Goldwing, the world first motorcycle with an airbag.