November 9, 2012: Hero MotoCorp Ltd (HMCL) has finally launched its much-anticipated commuter motorcycle, the Passion X Pro just before Diwali. Unveiled at the Auto Expo in January this year, the Passion X Pro is expected to give a major fillip to the already soaring monthly sales of the largest motorcycle manufacturer.

The Passion X Pro is powered by a 109.1cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke engine meshed with a four-speed gearbox. The carburettor-fed engine outputs a maximum power of 8.58bhp at 7500rpm and a peak torque of 0.95kgm at 5500rpm. The company has launched the motorcycle with five variants on offer, the base model which features drum brakes, kickstart and spoke wheels is priced at Rs 46,800 while the feature-loaded Passion X Pro which is equipped with a front disc brake, an electric starter and alloy wheels will retail for Rs 51,800, (both prices ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Hero Passion X Pro will directly take on its rivals -- the 109cc Honda Dream Yuga and the 112.8cc Suzuki Hayate which are the primary sales drivers for their companies.

Achieving the monthly sales mark of 500,000-plus units again last month (October 2012), Hero MotoCorp sold 529,215 units. Between October 16-31, which also included the Navratri celebrations, the company managed to sell close to 350,000 two-wheelers. According to Anil Dua, senior vice-president, marketing & sales, HMCL, “With Diwali around the corner, we are prepared for even better retail sales in November as well. We hope that the improved market sentiment will sustain itself as we go forward into the rest of this fiscal." The company also registered the highest monthly sales of its scooters during October 2012 at over 50,000 units and has raised the scooter production capacity to over 60,000 units per month. Hero MotoCorp had started the bookings of the Passion X Pro last month and has not majorly advertised the latest product so far. With high expectations riding on this model, it would be interesting to see how it fares during this crucial period.

AMIT PANDAY