Following its departure from the Hero-Honda partnership, in 2011 HMSI entered the Indian two-wheeler industry as a sole entity. In these 7 years, HMSI has expanded production from 16 lakh units at a single plant to 64 lakh units across 4 plants annually.
As the two wheeler market in India has grown exponentially in recent years, Honda has gone with the flow and added its next 20 million (2 crore) customers in a mere 4 years. Honda reached the 10 million mark in its first 11 years of operation. The next 10 million customers were registered in 3 years. That’s a total of 14 years to record its first 20 million customers.
Between 2001 -2011, Honda Activa helped the bike manufacturer establish its leadership. The company then introduced 150cc CB Unicorn and 125cc CB Shine. The latter now leads segment sales. Back in 2009 the company introduced Combi-Brake System (CBS) with Equalizer tech. India is now mandating the tech on bikes in 2019.
It’s mass motorcycle segment in 2012 came with Dream Yuga. The Make In India big bikes move in 2015 started with CBR 650F, and and Africa Twin more recently. The company also sells Navi, a one of its kind offering that you either love or hate, and Cliq scooter.
The company has sold over 70 lakh CB Shine units to date. Honda 2Wheelers India is the company’s top contributor to global sales across 120 countries. In keeping pace with projected growth and expansion, Honda will operate another plant with 6 lakh production capacity. This will take Honda 2Wheelers India’s total capacity to 70 lakh units annually by 2020.
Mr. Minoru Kato, President & CEO – Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “We are honoured by the love and trust that 40 million customers have bestowed on brand Honda in such a short time. Since the very start, Honda is led by a challenging spirit bringing Joy to millions of customers with high quality innovative products.”
