Backed by massive customer demand and additional production capacity going on stream at its the fourth plant in Gujarat, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has set a new clutch of sales records in July 2016.

For the first time, monthly sales including exports have crossed the 450,000 unit milestone with total sales at 453,844 units in July 2016, up 17 percent (July 2015: 389,555).  

HMSI’s total domestic sales comprising scooters and motorcycles grew 16% from 371,310 units in July 2015 to 429,527 units in July 2016. Led by the Activa, the largest-selling two-wheeler of 2016, Honda’s automatic scooter sales crossed the 300,000 mark for the first time. Growing a robust 19 percent, its total automatic scooter sales stood at 309,144 units. Meanwhile, motorcycle sales, which are under pressure from the commuter bike competition, grew 7% from 112,096 units in July 2015 to 120,383 unit sales in July 2016.  On the export front, the company shipped 24,317 units in July 2016.

Commenting on the July 2016 sales numbers, Yadvinder Singh Guleria, senior vice-president, Sales & Marketing, HMSI, said: “July has been a historic month for Honda 2Wheelers India. The new capacity of our fourth plant has given us wings to not only grow faster than the industry, but create four records in one month. Crossing the 450,000 unit sales mark in July 2016 and growing at 21% nearly double that of the total two-wheeler industry in the first four months of FY2016-17 gives us more confidence of a bumper festive season ahead.” 

HMSI says its market share has reached an all-time high of 29.1% in the domestic market (1% up) and 27% in the total market (2% up) in July 2016.

Photo Feature: How a scooter is born at Honda’s Gujarat plant