Of the 3.21 lakh sales registered by Honda Two Wheelers in July 2020 – More than 2 lakh sales were of Activa
Though sales have declined in comparison to July 2019, there are positive updates. Physical inventory level at Honda dealerships is less than a month’s sales, and enquiries for BS-VI models is increasing.
During this period of limited activity, the company did launch the BS6 Honda Grazia. The company has also introduced its BS6 Live and X-Blade in recent weeks. Dispatches to dealerships have been ongoing. Honda is also doing business online, which encourages folks to book a bike online.
HMSI Sales July 2020
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) reported 3,21,583 units in total sales in July 2020. Sales fell 29.32 percent from 4,55,000 units sold in July 2019. Domestic dispatches are reported at 3,09,332 units in July 2020 up 53 percent MoM from sales of 2,02,837 two-wheelers in June 2020. In June, domestic sales stood at 2,02,837.
Exports in July 2020 stood at 12,251 units. Exports in June 2020 stood at 8,042 units at 52 percent MoM growth. With ops in Q1 restricted, this is the first month in the year that the company has managed to touch the 3 lakh sales mark and exports crossed 10k units.
Honda Activa BS6 Sales
While Honda sales is not yet up to scratch, being an early mover in BS6 adaption meant, Honda had introduced the BS6 compliant Activa in July 2019 itself. The strategy worked well because Activa being the brand’s bestseller helped HMSI sell upward of 11 lakh BS6 two-wheelers to date. As lockdown has been lifted across regions, whether in full or partially, the gradual opening up has ensured that two-wheeler manufacturers have been able to report MoM sales growth from May to June, and June to July.
Despite Honda’s sales slowdown, Activa remains a bestseller. In June, it stayed on top of the scooter list despite sales having contracted to 1,21,668 units, down from 2,36,739 units sold in June 2019. This is a feat that the brand has yet again achieved for July 2020 though sales is still a shadow of its former glory.
HMSI is currently accepting bookings for the 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade and Fireblade SP, which are sold as CBUs here. Deliveries will be scheduled August onward. The automaker has also introduced new EMI schemes to make finance available and accessible to more buyers. To make the financial burden as manageable as can be, EMI repayments are reduced at 50 percent for first 3 months for a 36 month loan tenure. Loan amount is available 95 percent of bike cost. To make booking and delivery hassle free, HMSI is also organising home delivery of two-wheelers.
Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Director – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Honda’s sales momentum continues to accelerate in the 3 months since resuming operations – jumping 400% from 54,000 in May to 2 lac units in June, and now breaching the 3 lac mark. Intermittent regional lockdowns across India slowed down the retail momentum gained in June as the percentage of operational network dropped to 80% in July.”
