August 2, 2013: Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) recorded its highest ever sales in India since it began operations 13 years ago.

In a press release, HMSI says it sold 287,177 two-wheelers in July 2013, notching a growth of 13.9 percent YoY (July 2012: 252,114).

The sales split is 147,635 motorcycles and 139,542 scooters in July 2013. HMSI says demand for its motorcycles rose 35 percent, led by demand for the Dream Series commuter bikes (Dream Yuga and Dream Neo). The company’s motorcycle sales have crossed scooter sales for the first time. The scooter range recorded 8 percent growth.

Y S Guleria, vice-president (sales & marketing), HMSI said, “Honda has achieved its highest ever sales, the highest domestic market share of 24 percent and also became second largest player in domestic and export sales combined in the Indian two-wheeler industry. This is largely attributed to the overwhelming demand for Dream series and the increase in production with the start of the second line at the third factory in Narasapura, Karnataka (which has started rolling out Activa scooters).”

In Phase 1, HMSI’s third plant has a 12 lakh unit production capacity. An additional increase of 600,000 units will hike annual capacity to 18 lakh by end-2013-14. With this, HMSI will increase its cumulative annual production capacity by 64 percent in just one fiscal -- from 28 lakh units in 2012-13 to 46 lakh in 2013-14.