According to Anil Dua, vice president for sales and marketing, premium-segment bikes still account for a relatively small 14 per cent of the overall motorcycles market, but the company believes that there is potential for the market to expand in this segment.

The kick-start model of the Hunk has been priced at Rs55,000, and the self-start version at Rs57,000. This is Hero Honda''s fourth bike in the premium segment, following the CBZ Extreme, Karizma, and Achiever.

Dua says the company has doubled its market share and its volumes in the premium segment over the last one year.

According to Pawan Munjal, managing director, Hero Honda, the company will retain its focus on the 100cc segment, which comprises about two-third''s of the overall bike market. Hero Honda is looking at servicing the progression of the customers to upgrade to higher models through its focus on the premium segment.

Hero Honda has deferred plans to commence production at its new plant in Uttarakhand, which will now start production in April 2008 on account of the current slump in the motorcycle market in India. Production was originally scheduled to commence at the plant in August 2007.