Hero MotoCorp plans first-ever global launch of locally developed bike

Hero MotoCorp plans to hold the first-ever full-fledged global launch of its indigenously developed all-new motorcycle at the culmination of the Dakar Rally in Argentina in January 2017.

This was disclosed by Pawan Munjal, chairman, managing director and CEO, Hero MotoCorp at the rollout of its new Achiever 150 motorcycle which replaces the outgoing Achiever first developed under the erstwhile Hero Honda partnership in 2006.

The slated global launch is pitted to be a head-turner as Munjal has assured all that “it will be a major event that has been planned for a completely new product for global distributors and some domestic retailers as well.” The all-new motorcycle will sport a new engine, new chassis and a completely new body.

It is likely that the all-new product could be an adventure bike to take on the Royal Enfield Himalayan or a relaunch of the 150cc Hero Impulse with a bigger engine. It may be recalled that the Impulse, which was launched in 2011-12, did not fare too well in the domestic market.    

In September 2015, Hero had held the global launch of its scooters in Columbia where it has set up an assembly facility but that was as on a much smaller scale in comparison.

The new Achiever 150, priced at Rs 62,800 for the disc variant and Rs 61,800 (ex-showroom Delhi) for the drum variant, is powered by a refined 150cc air-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke torque-on- demand engine that is BS-IV compliant. It sports the Automatic Headlamp On feature for better visibility as well as Hero’s patented i3S technology (idle, start, stop) seen in the  i-Smart Splendor 110.  The i-smart Splendor is Hero’s first completely in-house designed and developed product to come out from its recently set up Centre for Innovation and Technology (CIT) at Jaipur. The Achiever is the second product from CIT with other new models currently under development to meet BS-IV norms legislation and also get i3S technology.

“As the dominant market leader in both 100cc and 125cc segments in the domestic market, we are now looking at expanding our presence in the premium segment as well and the new Achiever 150 is a move in that direction,” added Munjal.

The existing Achiever is being exported; the new Achiever 150 will follow suit and add an additional 11 markets over the next couple of years to Hero’s 32 export markets.

The two-wheeler maker is bullish of good festive season sales during October as it has rung in the festive season with good growth during Onam in Kerala. Hero reported a sales growth of above 35 percent during Onam with scooters posting 50 percent growth and bikes a 20 percent uptick. This growth the company maintains is higher than the industry growth.

Related: Hero likely to launch new commuter bike for Latin American markets