Honda CB Trigger records 1,000 bookings in South India, targets 6,000 units in FY14

Bangalore, June 17, 2013: Even before being launched in South India, the newly launched CB Trigger, the 150cc motorcycle from Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), has recorded 1,000 bookings for the motorcycle, which is priced at Rs 70,733 (ex-showroom Bangalore).

Talking to Autocar Professional after launching the vehicle in Bangalore on June 15, Ashish Choudhary, Divisional Head-South, HMSI, said: “The vehicle is entering into South India through Bangalore today. It will be launched in all other three states in the South in a week’s time.”

The company plans to sell 6,000 units of the CB Trigger in South India this financial year (2013-14), he said. The motorcycle had its national launch in New Delhi in April; the regional launch is underway in the South where bookings opened on June 1.

The overwhelming response from the prospective buyers even before the regional launch shows their thrust in Honda products, Choudhary added. South India has been a strong contributor to HMSI’s growth. In 2012-13, it sold an overall 27 lakh units, of which 32 percent came from the four southern states. Karnataka alone accounts for 8-10 percent in the company’s overall sales in 2012-13. In the current fiscal, Choudhary said the Southern region is expected to contribute upto 35 percent to HMSI’s overall sales. Most importantly, the company has adopted a different marketing strategy in the vehicle launch this time in Karnataka. Avoiding regular closed-door launch venues like five-star hotels, the company preferred to launch the vehicle in the crowded ‘A’ class commercial complex, ‘Forum Mall’ in the central part of Bangalore. “We wanted to be closer to the customer. Hence we have chosen the commercial complex as the venue as the vehicle could be launched amidst thousands of prospective buyers, he said. HMSI has 148 primary dealerships and a network of 210 secondary dealers with 113 standalone service centres in South India and it has been expanding its dealership network continuously.

Karnataka remains a strong market for HMSI. The overall two-wheeler market in the state was between 72,000-75,000 units per month in 2012-13, of which 23 percent was contributed by HMSI. The company sold around 16,000 units per month in the past fiscal in the state. This year, the overall two-wheeler market in Karnataka is expected to grow by 1-5 percent.

JAISHANKAR JAYARAMIAH

Photograph: Ashish Choudhary, Divisional Head-South, HMSI, at the Bangalore launch of the CB Trigger.