Honda India has teased its upcoming model Navi on its social media channels ahead of the official unveil scheduled at the upcoming Auto Expo.
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has shared its new year greetings with a slight twist that has surely made things interesting. Wishing everyone a ‘Happy Navi Year’, the automaker has hinted towards its next major launch which will be revealed at the Auto Expo next month. While we gather that the product is likely to be called Navi, the model taking up the brand name isn’t clear at this point. What speculations do suggest though is that Honda could introduce an all-new scooter at the expo.
The Navi nameplate is completely new to the Honda family and is likely to be a 125cc scooter co-existing with the Activa 125 in the automaker’s lineup. Honda India currently offers only one 125cc scooter in India and with the segment growing slowly but strongly, the company could be ensuring it offers a more diverse choice of products. Going by the teaser images shared by the company, the new product will be a youth-centric model.
The Honda Navi could also be showcased in concept form at the 2016 Auto Expo considering the Japanese automaker’s image was attached with the caption “2016 will bring in new ideas, new concepts. There’s something amazing brewing at our side. Visit the Auto Expo 2016 in Feb.” Honda managed to show its bold side last year with the newly launched CB Hornet 160R that used the CB Unicorn 160’s underpinnings in the motorcycle space and the Navi could do the same in the scooter segment.
Furthermore, it is now more important for Honda to strengthen its position in the scooter space, especially since Hero MotoCorp is gaining ground quickly with its new set of launches. The Indian auto giant has a host of scooters planned for launch in the coming years including 150cc models and Honda will have to be well prepared to fend off competition from its former partner. All said, more details related to the new Navi can be only expected as we get closer to the official launch at the expo. The company is likely to drop a product teaser or two before the official unveil.
