Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) is betting big on developing new technologies for its latest product line-up by setting up an advanced Technological research and development centre within the Manesar facility near Gurgaon. Honda promises to roll out products with improved quality, more powerful and efficient engines at an affordable price from their new Technological centre that includes R&D, engineering, purchasing, designing and quality all together under one roof.
With the launch of their updated automatic scooters Dio, Aviator and Activa featuring the new Honda Eco Technology (HET) that has increased the fuel efficiency further by 11 percent, Honda announced the new Technical Centre that features a high tech Wind Tunnel chamber, SEM microscope facility, Bench Dynamo, Chassis Dynamo, layout machines and much more. The most interesting bit of the Technical centre was the advanced Wind Tunnel facility which simulates real world air flow situation to study the aerodynamics of a particular motorcycle or a scooter.
The HMSI Manesar facility is spread over 10,000 square metres with 200 engineers working in the Honda R&D India (HRDI). The team has developed the latest HET technology, being used for the first time in the Honda Activa, Aviator and Dio automatic scooters. According to the manufacturer, the Activa, Aviator and the Dio are currently the most fuel efficient automatic scooters in India. The new technology being used in the 110cc engine results in reduced friction, improved combustion and optimized transmission, which maintains the power and increases the mileage.
HMSI is currently developing new products in its new technology centre from the ground up for the Indian markets as well as the international markets. The company plans to launch a new product every quarter, which means four new products in a year. Clearly the company is looking at product onslaught as a way of boosting market share against former partner and arch rival, Hero MotoCorp.
