India to become Honda’s top two-wheeler market by 2018

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) today launched two new 2015 editions of its Aviator and Activa-i automatic scooters. With this, the company marks the launch of 8 new model launches in the first six months of 2015.

Both automatic scooters get fresh graphic paint schemes but will use the same engine as on the models already on sale – the 109cc, 4-stroke, air-cooled motor which develops 8bhp at 7,000rpm and 0.9kgm of torque at 5,500rpm. While the refreshed Activa-i’s pricing starts at Rs 46,703 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the updated Aviator costs Rs 56,209.

Elaborating on India’s role in Honda’s global landscape and the Japanese company’s focus on the scooter segment, Keita Muramatsu, president and CEO, HMSI and Honda Motor India, said: “India is a focus market for Honda and it is significant that Honda’s two-wheeler operations in India is the second largest contributor to Honda’s global sales. Today, one in every four two-wheelers sold by Honda worldwide is from India. I am confident that given our continued investment and growth, we will become No. 1 two-wheeler market for Honda globally within the next 2-3 years. Honda’s future growth in India will be co-driven by its scooter portfolio. Honda dominates this segment with every second scooter being sold today in India being a Honda. At the same time, Honda is expanding its production capacity foreseeing the future potential of automatic scooter demand. Our upcoming fourth plant will be the world’s largest only scooter plant and will start operation at Gujarat in early 2016.”