You read it first on MotorBeam. Hero MotoCorp has made big promises but we are yet to witness much action from India’s largest 2-wheeler manufacturer. After firing new engines and showcasing a slew of products, the company is yet to put any on sale. Till date, all new products continue to use Honda engines but that’s set to change with the next offerings from the Karizma maker. In 2015, Hero will launch a range of products and the next four products will comprise of two scooters and two motorcycles each.
So what products are we likely to see. Well, we have inside news that the company’s next launch will be the 110cc Dash which is powered by a Hero developed engine. The scooter was supposed to be on sale already but has been delayed as the company continues to test it (at its 2 km long test track). Hero doesn’t want to take chances with its first engine and is extensively testing it. Sources reveal to us that the new 110cc mill will be the most frugal engine in the segment, while also offering class leading output.
The launch of the Dash scooter will be followed by the launch of a new 150cc motorcycle (not to be confused with the Xtreme Sports which is already on sale). The new bike will be powered by a new 150cc engine, that will again boast of class leading output and efficiency figures. This motorcycle will help Hero strengthen its position in the 150cc segment where new offerings like the Yamaha FZ V2 and Suzuki Gixxer are doing well while more intense competition has come in the form of the Honda CB Unicorn 160 and upcoming Pulsar 160 NS. Mahindra too is working on a 160cc motorcycle.
Following the launch of the 150cc motorcycle, Hero will launch the Dare 125cc scooter which will be followed by a 110cc commuter motorcycle, likely to use the Splendor name although power will come from the same 110cc engine which debuts on the Dash. Hero will not discontinue any product so the current Splendor range will only expand in the future. The automaker is betting big on scooters and plans to launch 5 of them by 2016-end (150cc scooters come in 2016).
The company has a production capacity of 1 lakh units for scooters and has a 5th manufacturing plant coming soon. Its R&D facility employs 400 engineers and most were hired from Bajaj, Honda and TVS. Hero’s sales continue to be strong in Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets and the company will launch the HX250R in the second half of next year. The Hastur isn’t in sight for launch anytime soon.
