Hero Honda reports 15 per cent increase in March sales

In a world of declining two-wheeler sales, the world's largest manufacturer of this class of vehicles has just reversed the trend by reporting a year-to-year increase in sales.

Hero Honda Motors Ltd, the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer, consolidated its market leadership further by announcing a 15.36 per cent increase in sales in the month of March as compared to last year. As compared to 2,77,915 units sold in March 2007, Hero Honda has sold 3,20,594 units this month.

The company's total sales for the financial year 2007-08 stand at 33, 37,142 two-wheelers, as compared to 33,36,756 units for the previous financial year (2006-07). This is significant in view of the severe slowdown that the domestic two-wheeler industry is going through for the past more than a year.

Such impressive numbers have been notched up on account of Hero Honda's innovative product and branding strategy. Not only has it introduced new models and variants across segments, it has also supported them through proper advertising and branding through media, including associating itself with sunshine properties like the Indian Premier League (IPL). The company is currently the owner of the Delhi-based team for the Twenty-20 tournament, which it has christened "Delhi Daredevils".

New launches this year include the Hunk and the CBZ X-treme in the premium segment, as well as the Splendor NXG, the Pleasure, the Super Splendor and the Passion Plus.

Pawan Munjal, managing director, Hero Honda, said, "Despite the industry slowdown, we have been able to manage positive growth thereby taking our share in the domestic motorcycle market upward of 52 per cent. We will continue to focus on our customers and they can surely look forward to many more launches and various initiatives in the coming year".

Hero Honda had crossed the landmark of 20 million cumulative sales during the course of this financial year.