Hero MotoCorp’s most successful motorcycle, the Splendor leaves a mark yet again in the month of April. The Splendor range continued to remain the highest selling two-wheeler in India with 1,79,087 units sold last month, growing at a rate of 20 percent compared to the same period last year. While Hero is certainly enjoying the numero uno position, erstwhile partner Honda too has been playing catch up with India’s beloved scooter, the Activa coming in on second position with 1,45,719 units sold in April.
While Hero and Honda have been fighting out for the top spot, Bajaj Auto has been struggling to find ground with the Discover brand which slipped to seventh position from fourth position (in 2013) in terms of sales in the previous month. The Discover brand suffered its biggest loss till date with sales of just 60,331 units in April this year, from 1,01,345 units during the same period last year.
The Discover range has not been the most profitable brand for Bajaj Auto, especially over the last year. However, the Pulsar series recorded a marginal growth at 53,584 units in April this year, compared to 50,713 units sold last year, maintaining eighth position. Apart from the Discover and Pulsar, the Platina was the only other Bajaj two-wheeler to make it to the top ten list at ninth position with 48,544 units sold.
The Passion, HF Deluxe and Glamour were other motorcycles from Hero MotoCorp that made it to the top 10 best sellers in April this year. Honda’s CB Shine also saw a significant rise in sales this year with 68,903 units sold in April, compared to 58,619 units sold during the same period last year. Honda has been catching up to Hero MotoCorp with an onslaught of products. In spite of the sluggish market trends, it will be safe to say that the two-wheeler market has been rather optimistic.
