Going by the sales data for the 2016 calendar year till date, it can be said that the Hero Splendor’s reign over the vast Indian two wheeler market has been ended by the Honda Activa automatic scooter.
The Activa’s dominance was first noted last year when it swapped leadership position with the popular 100 cc commuter motorcycle intermittently.
With a convincing lead over its nearest volume rival for 5 consecutive months, the Activa has cemented its No. 1 position in the Indian market.
With a convincing lead over its nearest volume rival for 5 consecutive months, the Activa has cemented its No. 1 position in the Indian market. While the Activa lead the rise of automatic scooters, similar offerings from TVS, Yamaha, Suzuki and Hero have also benefited from the change in paradigm.
Motorcycles still outsell scooters by a ratio of around 2 to 1 but in the past two years, automatic scooters have been increasing their market share at a very impressive rate. The unisex appeal, ease of operation and better storage solutions seem to have influenced the trend.
Hero is working on a next-gen Splendor to keep the brand fresh (image: Splendor Pro Classic Cafe Racer).Also read – Honda Navi accessories on steeply priced
Motorcycles are still preferred over scooters in rural areas due to their ability to tackle bad roads better but the failing monsoon has limited the prospects, giving urban-friendly scooters an edge. However, Honda is confident that the lead Activa has managed now is a result of “sustained and long-drawn strategy”.
Honda Navi – Photos
Via – Economictimes.Indiatimes.com