Honda Looks at Faster Product Launches as Indian Riders Seek Greater Variety

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India could be looking to introduce new products at a faster pace as customer preferences in the country evolve rapidly, prompting the company to widen its portfolio across segments, a senior executive said.

"The character of the Indian market is very fast, very rapidly changing," Mutsuo Usui, Director of Sales & Marketing at Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India, told reporters while unveiling 10 new two-wheelers across internal combustion engine, electric and flex-fuel powertrains.

"We recognise it. That is why we will set the proper timing when we need to launch new products," he said. Asked whether Honda's product interventions would be quicker than in the past, Usui said: "Yes, maybe much faster. Much faster product intervention."

The Japanese two-wheeler maker said the strategy reflects changing consumer preferences, particularly in the premium motorcycle segment, where buyers are increasingly seeking more choice in styling and riding experience.

"The significant character of this market is that now customers become more varied. Their way of thinking and their preferences are now very much about variety. Today's new model launch is our answer," Usui said.

Honda said its experience in India's mid-size motorcycle market has also shaped its future product plans. According to the company, the implementation of the new GST rates helped make motorcycles in the segment more accessible, expanding the customer base.

"Our learning is basically in two parts. One part is before GST and the second part is after GST," Usui said. "Before GST, we struggled to expand our sales. Then we could reach the customer who has global information and prefers global products. But after GST, prices became much more attractive. That is why many customers came."

The executive said Honda has also observed that buyers within the 350cc category now have distinct preferences, requiring a broader product lineup. "We also recognise that even within the 350cc road sports-type motorcycle segment, there are huge differences in customers' preferences."

"That is why we need to prepare a classic type, road sports and standard type. Then, maybe in the future, I think variety will be much more."

Honda reiterated that its India strategy would continue to follow a multi-pathway approach instead of relying on a single powertrain technology.

"Our way of thinking is multi-pathway. Now, we recognise that the Indian government wants to utilise the full resource base of energy. It is ICE, E-20, E-85, and also electricity. That is why we don't think that EV is the only solution," Usui said.

Honda declined to provide market share targets despite expanding its premium portfolio. "Basically, we don't talk about market share because market share is the answer from the customer. If the customer chooses us, automatically market share will increase," Usui said.

"More than that, our policy is that we want to satisfy the customer's demand. We want to provide our products. Then, if customers feel happy with our products, that is our dream. We don't mention any clear numbers about market share."