India’s largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp plans to start operations in the UK and a few European countries by September this year. The automaker’s Executive Chairman Pawan Munjal said the entry into Europe and the UK signifies the next stage of their global strategic growth.
“A bold global expansion roadmap will see Hero MotoCorp extend its presence into Germany, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom in the second quarter of FY 2025-26, as we carry our vision of mobility without boundaries to new markets,” Munjal said in its annual report.
With an eye on global business and electric mobility, last year at the EICMA, Munjal had said Hero MotoCorp plans to expand its operations to the United Kingdom and Europe with the Vida brand in the second half of 2025.
The Vida VX2 is likely to be the first product that Hero MotoCorp will sell in the UK and Europe. While unveiling the model last year, then Chief Business Officer for the company’s emerging mobility Swadesh Srivastava had said the model is a product for the global audience, “resonating from Barcelona to Bogota with its rich features and styling.”
Vida Z could be followed by high-capacity premium internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycles.
Hero MotoCorp has a technology center in Germany. It has also appointed distributors in Italy - Pelpi International S.r.l. and has entered into commercial agreements with partners in Spain (Noria Motos SLU), France (GD France) and UK (MotoGB UK).
“Our entry into Europe and the UK later this year marks the next phase in our global ambition — backed by engineering excellence and innovation,” Munjal said in the annual report.
Hero MotoCorp is looking to leverage significant potential in the global and electric mobility businesses, strategically placing then as key revenue drivers for the future. Unlike many of its traditional competitors, Hero MotoCorp's share of exports in its total revenue is still in low-single digits— it has a good headroom to improve its business.
The company has a presence in 48 countries and exports accounted for 5.7% of its Rs 40,756 crore revenue in the financial year 2024.
“With a laser-focused 80-20 strategy, we grew exports over 40%, nearly double the industry rate. Our market-specific strategy is delivering results across diverse markets like Colombia, Bangladesh, and beyond. Today, premium products contribute nearly 40% to global sales,” said Executive Director and acting CEO Vikram Kasbekar.
Total two-wheeler exports from India rose 21.4% on year in FY25 to 4.2 million units, while domestic sales grew 9.1% to 19.6 million units. Hero MotoCorp saw its domestic sales grow 3.5% to 5.61 million two-wheelers while its exports rose 44% to 289,668 units during the year.