The battle between Hero and HMSI (Honda Motorbike & Scooter India) is basically a battle between Splendor and Activa. Although they’re in very completely different product segments, none of them have been capable of crack one another’s stronghold segments, but.

HMSI, on Wednesday, launched its most inexpensive bike, the Shine 100 in Mumbai at a value level of Rs 64,900 (ex-showroom, Mumbai). The corporate stated that the bike is constructed to simply navigate metropolis visitors in addition to well-equipped to satisfy the wants of the agricultural prospects. The manufacturing of the bike is slated to start subsequent month, and deliveries will begin in Might, stated the corporate on the launch occasion.

Honda’s new 100cc bike is RDE (actual driving emissions) compliant and might run on E20 gasoline. The Honda Shine 100 will immediately tackle entry-level commuter bikes, just like the Hero Splendor, HF Deluxe, Bajaj Platina, and so forth.

At this time, Splendor dominates within the less-than-110-cc bike phase, wherein Hero has 76.7 per cent market share, and likewise, Honda’s Activa dominates within the less-than-125-cc scooter phase, the place HMSI has 51.8 per cent share. In a current interview with Enterprise At this time Atsushi Ogata, Managing Director, President & CEO, HMSI stated that the corporate is gearing as much as tackle Hero with a 100 cc bike and also will give attention to the upper cc segments by way of a sequence of premium bikes.

At the same time as the longer term appears arresting, the business has successfully retreated 10 years by way of wholesale deliveries—13.44 million items in FY12; peak at 21.18 million in FY19; and again to 13.47 million in FY22. However at the same time as Hero’s gross sales slid 23 per cent over these 10 years, HMSI grew by 73 per cent.

“We’ve studied the development of all components completely for India’s rural market and are launching a brand new 100cc mannequin,” Ogata had stated. And even because the entry-level bike phase stays underneath stress, Ogata stated that the timing is excellent. 

As per consultants, HMSI’s 100cc bike must match Splendor’s mileage and pricing. Moreover, Hero’s intensive attain in rural markets, with spare components being accessible at each storage and mechanic store, makes upkeep simpler and cheaper, and provides its merchandise higher resale worth than all opponents. These are components HMSI will probably be hard-pressed to match.