Honda, the renowned Japanese automotive giant, has always been committed to the Indian market. However, it is now taking its product lineup for the country to a whole new level. After the successful launch of the Shine 100, its first-ever 100cc commuter motorcycle to directly compete with Hero in the highly competitive segment, Honda has even bigger plans for the future.
Expanding the Product Lineup
During the launch of the Shine, Honda revealed its intentions to introduce several new models in India, including electric scooters. Let’s take a closer look at the upcoming offerings:
Honda 350cc Cruiser Bike
Honda’s CB350 platform already features the H’ness retro motorcycle and the CB350RS, which exudes a cafe racer vibe. These bikes allow Honda to compete with popular models like the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Hunter 350. However, Honda currently lacks a direct competitor to the Meteor 350. That could change very soon.
According to Honda, a new 350cc motorcycle will hit the Indian market before Diwali this year. Speculation suggests that it will be a cruiser designed to rival the Meteor. The new bike is expected to feature the same 348cc long-stroke single-cylinder engine found in the existing models, albeit with possible modifications. Since cruisers are known for their low-end torque, which the current engine may not offer in abundance, Honda might experiment with gearing and sprocketing to compensate for this.
To be a strong contender against the Meteor, the pricing of the new Honda cruiser is expected to be in the same range. Anticipate it to be priced around Rs 2 lakh to 2.2 lakh (ex-showroom). While Honda has mentioned a November release, it is likely that the launch will happen slightly earlier, during the festive season.
Two New Honda Electric Scooters
FY24 (Fiscal Year 2023-24) will witness Honda’s entry into the rapidly growing electric two-wheeler segment with two distinct offerings. Both will be electric scooters, but they will differ in terms of powertrain. The first scooter will feature a fixed battery pack, likely housed in the floorboard, as revealed in patent drawings. On the other hand, the second scooter will have a removable battery pack, possibly utilizing the Honda Mobile Power Pack battery, which is gradually being deployed at swapping stations across the country.
Taking advantage of the immense brand value of the Activa, Honda might name either one or both of these scooters the Activa electric or e-Activa. A similar strategy has already been employed by Suzuki with its recently unveiled e-Burgman electric scooter.
New 125cc Scooter and 160cc Bike from Honda
Honda has more plans for the petrol-powered segment in the coming year as well. Alongside the electric scooters, Honda has scheduled the launch of a new 125cc scooter and a 160cc motorcycle. The 125cc scooter is expected to share its underpinnings with the popular Activa 125 but with a sportier design, aiming to compete with models like the TVS NTorq and Suzuki Avenis.
As for the 160cc motorcycle, it is likely to borrow its engine from the X-blade and Unicorn. However, there are no hints regarding the design direction Honda will take with this bike. We might see an adventure-style appearance, similar to what Honda has done with the CB200X, a bike based on the Hornet 2.0.
Conclusion
Honda’s recent moves demonstrate its serious commitment to the Indian market. With a new 350cc cruiser bike, two electric scooters, a 125cc scooter, and a 160cc motorcycle in the pipeline, Honda is set to expand its product lineup to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of Indian consumers. Stay tuned for further updates and expect these exciting models to hit the roads in the near future.
