If there is one silent yet successful player in the Indian two wheeler market, it has to be none other than the world’s largest two wheeler manufacturer – Hero MotoCorp. Post the split with its erstwhile partner, Honda, the Munjals led Hero Group is all set to hit on Honda head – on. The company silently unveiled three new products for the sub – continent which will it the markets in the next few months.
These new products, though are not the first set coming out from the HMC’s stable, they’re still considered to be very important in their efforts to gain their market share in India. The three products include the Maestro Scooter as well which was already unveiled in London as part of unveiling its new identity a few months back.
The other two products are a 110cc bike which is Passion XPro and a 125 cc bike by the nameIgnitor. It is expected that Maestro will hit the markets this month, while the other two bikes are set for the coming months. However, there weren’t any details revealed in relation to the price of these newly launched products.
“The launches that you see today are not just new products, these models reflects the company’s intent and vision for the future and a new clear strategy to further consolidate our leadership position,” Hero MotoCorp Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Pawan Munjal told reporters here. “Our first Hero branded motorcycle, Impulse, a transroader, will bring in a new trend in biking,” he added.
He also said that in the calendar year 2011 the company sold over six million units of two wheelers which is “the highest achieved by any single manufacturer in the world.”
The company now targets to tap the youth potential which will bring great sales to the company. The Maestro is one such scooter from the company which is mainly targeted towards people is the age group of 18 to 24 who are mostly students and young working professionals.
Commenting on the new product Hero MotoCorp Senior Vice President (Marketing and Sales) Anil Dua said Maestro will be targeted at male customers in the age group of 18 to 24 while the Ignitor and XPro will be looking for executives and college going students.
He also said in the press conference that the new models reflect the technological support from their former partner Honda. Although the joint venture with Honda was dissolved, the company had a technology support deal.
He also said that exports rose 24 per cent in December 2011. Latin America, Africa and South east Asia are export markets the company is looking to target. However, he clarified that the three newly launched bikes are not meant for exports which means that company has other plans for the export market.
“We are open to setting up new plants there,” Dua added.
“We are open to setting up new plants there,” Dua added.
It is also to be mentioned that NDTV Profit has mentioned that ‘Analysts believe that with the launch of new products, the company could face a pressure on profits due to an increase in expenditure.’
Though there aren’t much of details about these products, we share with you, the details which we have as of now.
Hero Passion X Pro
This is the new 110 cc bike from HMC which is based on the current Honda Twister’s engine. The company is making use of the agreement according to which HMS can make use of Honda’s technologies till the year 2014. The 110 cc engine which is the power-mill for the Passion XPro will generate a maximum power of 9 Bhp and 9 Nm of peak torque.
Hero Ignitor 125 cc
The Ignitor is the actual competitor for the Honda Stunner. It is again powered by same Stunner engine with minor tweaks as in the case of Passion XPro. The Ignitor’s engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox and is capable of producing 11 PS at 8000 rpm. The design of the Ignitor resembles the Stunner to a very great except the change in the graphics and art works.
Honda Maestro 110cc
There’s not much to talk about this scoot as its details have already been revealed. Also, it houses the same engine of Honda Activa, which made Honda a major player on the Indian market with its most reliable engine.
What do you guys have to say regarding these newly launched set of products which includes both scooters and bikes. Leave your comments in the form of words below.
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