Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI), the fully-owned two-wheeler subsidiary of Japan’s Honda Motor Company, on Thursday launched its 110cc bike ‘CB Twister’ to mark its entry into the mass bike segment.
To hit the market in February next year, the new bike will be available in three variants, with prices starting at Rs.42,000. The 9-bhp bike will give fuel economy of 70 km per litre. HMSI hopes to sell 2.2-lakh units in the next fiscal.
“We will continue to provide exciting products and lead the expansion in each two-wheeler segment. CB Twister is a perfect combination of new age style and unmatched performance with economy. With the latest cutting edge technology, the bike is bound to expand the 100-110cc segment further,” said HMSI President and CEO Shinji Aoyama.
No direct competition
Mr. Aoyama, however, ruled out any direct competition with Hero Honda. “We do not expect any competition with Hero Honda. By introducing a bike in the entry level, we are in fact looking at extending the market,” he said.
HMSI and Hero Honda, a joint venture between Honda and India’s Hero Group, together enjoy a 65 per cent share in the 80-lakh unit two-wheeler market in India. The entry-level (100cc and 110cc) segment has a market of 40-lakh units annually. Referring to the scooter market where HMSI is a dominant player,
Mr. Aoyama said: “The scooter market is expanding more than the motorcycle market and it will continue to grow. With this our business will also grow and we will launch new models if demand arises.”
HMSI is looking to increase overall two-wheeler sales to 12.5-lakh units this fiscal, from 10.5-lakh units in 2008-09.
