Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India (HMSI/Honda Two Wheelers) has further closed on motorcycle and scooter sales against Hero MotoCorp in India during August 2022. If the trend continues, HMSI might soon overtake Hero MotoCorp in two-wheeler sales in India.
Hero MotoCorp, known to be the largest two-wheeler maker in the world, sold 294,864 two-wheelers in August 2022, as per Vahan Dashboard Data. On the other hand, Honda Two Wheelers sold 279,025 motorcycles & scooters during the same month.
“HMSI has gained percentage points in terms of market share but keep in mind that it is mainly because of the scooter market bouncing back this year,” Subhabrata Sengupta, Executive Director, Avalon Consulting, had told Mobility Outlook earlier.
Month On Month Sales In 2022
The total number of Hero MotoCorp two-wheelers registered in India during the calendar year (CY) 2022 stands at 2,884,899 units so far. HMSI, on the other hand, has registered 2,212,440 two-wheelers in India so far this CY.
August 2022 has become the highlight for the latter as the two-wheeler registration gap between the two former partners has been the least during this month in India. This data reveals how HMSI has been closing in on the number of two-wheelers registrations month on month in India.
Scooter Sales Aiding HMSI
While the segment-wise numbers for any OEMs are not accessible yet, it seems as if HMSI has been performing well mainly because of the performance of the scooter segment in the country.
Numbers sourced from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) report indicate that against 356,173 motorcycles sold by Hero MotoCorp in India in July 2022, HMSI was only able to retail 25,757 units (>75cc but <110cc). However, HMSI outnumbered Hero MotoCorp in scooter sales as it retailed 293,687 units of scooters in India in July 2022, as against Hero MotoCorp’s 22,134 scooter units.
Moreover, HMSI has also revealed its plans to introduce a 100cc commuter motorcycle in India before the end of this financial year. The commuter segment has been known as Hero MotoCorp’s backyard as its Splendor continues to be the most selling 100cc motorcycle in India.
“There is a large potential in the 100cc motorcycle market in India. We are somehow missing the right product portfolio. With this new development and the price point which we are targeting, in addition to the brand power, trust, and durability of Honda, I am sure we will get a fair share of this market. It is not about disruption but is about the volume which this segment provides,” one of the former leaders from the HMSI team had told this portal earlier.
Further, Hero MotoCorp has not been able to taste much success in the above 250cc scooter or motorcycle market in India, while HMSI is now selling four products in this category in the country. During the recent launch of the Honda CB300F, the OEM noted that it had sold over 60,000 units of its above 250cc bikes in India during the last 18 months.
It is rumoured that Hero MotoCorp is testing three motorcycles in the above 250cc category in India, and the launch might take place anytime soon.
“I think Hero MotoCorp has chosen to focus on other segments and not the above 250cc segment in India. It’s true that the above 250cc segment is growing, but it is also true that it will never be able to match (even in the next ten years) the numbers of the entry-level segment,” Sengupta had told Mobility Outlook.
Also Read