Honda Motorcycles to launch 10 new models in India next year

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India plans to launch more than 10 two-wheeler models next year, including all new products, as the company aims to further strengthen its presence in the country, firstbiz.firstpost.com reported.

The company, which today added to its mid-sized motorcycle range the CB Unicorn 160, sells 20 motorcycle and scooter models in the country.

"CB Unicorn 160 despatches will begin in the third week of January, so it would be our first model of 2015. During the course of next year we plan to launch over ten models," HMSI president & CEO Keita Muramatsu told reporters in New Delhi.

Of the 10 product launches planned for the next year, seven would be completely new platforms while the rest would be upgrades of the existing models, he added.

Replying to a question as to when the company would launch low-cost models in the country, Muramatsu said: "We are working on two models, a bike and a scooter, but there is no definite time frame set for the project."

"It is not easy to launch low cost bikes. I have learnt that in the last three years. It is not easy to go for cost reduction when more technology is needed. In the last three years the cost of production has gone up. Even our in-house cost has gone up by 15 per cent over the last year," Muramatsu said.

The new products would be developed at company's Manesar-based Research and Development centre which would receive technical assistance and advice from the expertise in Honda's headquarter, Japan.

The process of introducing refreshed products had already got underway with the launch of the upgraded CB Unicorn commuter motorcycle. Honda is likely to introduce the upgraded CBR-series motorcycles very soon. The company also plans to introduce a new, low-cost motorcycle for the Indian market in the sub- Rs40,000 range.

In an interview to Economic Times, HMSI president and CEO Keita Muramatsu said, Honda was working closely with its technical centre to develop motorcycles and scooters keeping in mind the local customers that would change the Indian market in terms of pricing, but would not be a lowcost product.

He added, these would be extremely innovative next-gen mobility vehicles bearing the Honda stamp and based on materials sourced from local Indian market that would help the company control costs, but maintain high aspirations like most of its brands.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India plans to  launch more than 10 two-wheeler models next year, including all new products, as the company aimed to further strengthen its presence in the country, firstbiz.firstpost.com reported.

The company, which today added to its mid-sized motorcycle range the CB Unicorn 160, sells 20 motorcycle and scooter models in the country.

"CB Unicorn 160 despatches will begin in the third week of January, so it would be our first model of 2015. During the course of next year we plan to launch over ten models," HMSI president & CEO Keita Muramatsu told reporters in New Delhi.

Of the 10 product launches planned for the next year, seven would be completely new platforms while the rest would be upgrades of the existing models, he added.

Replying to a question as to when the company would launch low-cost models in the country, Muramatsu said: "We are working on two models, a bike and a scooter, but there is no definite time frame set for the project."

"It is not easy to launch low cost bikes. I have learnt that in the last three years. It is not easy to go for cost reduction when more technology is needed. In the last three years the cost of production has gone up. Even our in-house cost has gone up by 15 per cent over the last year," Muramatsu said.

The new products would be developed at company's Manesar-based Research and Development centre which would receive technical assistance and advice from the expertise in Honda's headquarter, Japan.

The process of introducing refreshed products had already got underway with the launch of the upgraded CB Unicorn commuter motorcycle. Honda is likely to introduce the upgraded CBR-series motorcycles very soon. The company also plans to introduce a new, low-cost motorcycle for the Indian market in the sub- Rs40,000 range.

In an interview to Economic Times, HMSI president and CEO Keita Muramatsu said, Honda was working closely with its technical centre to develop motorcycles and scooters keeping in mind the local customers that would change the Indian market in terms of pricing, but would not be a lowcost product. He added, these would be extremely innovative next-gen mobility vehicles bearing the Honda stamp and based on materials sourced from local Indian market that would help the company control costs, but maintain high aspirations like most of its brands.