Discontinuing models is not exactly style of Hero.. So why? That too very new models like the Impulse, Ignitor and Maestro..
Hero enjoys a reputation among Indian customers, one of persisting models and not discontinuing them. Although technically not totally accurate (CBZ, Street, Ambition, CD100, Sleek, CD Dawn, Joy are some models which have been ceased), Hero to its credit have continued with most of its models.
But today Hero has officially shocked by making a statement (News Source: Economictimes) that it will discontinue the Impulse and the models launched post that after its partnership with Honda officially ends in 2014. The official PR speak is that such a move will be done to not having to pay royalty to Honda post 2014 for those models. The models before the Impulse (including the most important Splendor/Passion) will not be discontinued though.
My Take:
[1] It’s very difficult for me to believe that a cash rich behemoth group like Hero which have been paying royalty to a Partner like Honda for more than a quarter of a century can’t afford to pay royalty for new models like the Impulse, Ignitor & Maestro
[2] Unless of course Honda does not want to
[3] Honda needs to hold on to Activa scooter in India the way Hero has to hold on to the Splendor/Passion models
[4] Had I been in place of Honda, I would have prevented Hero from competing with my (Honda’s) backbone in India i.e. the Activa scooter. That means I would have never given Hero the Maestro scooter (which is actually the Activa with different clothes)
[5] I would have also charged a King’s ransom from Hero to let them continue with the old tech (Splendor/Passion) after the partnership ends in 2014 and will not definitely let them access the engines/tech which forms the base for my (Honda’s) current and future strategy for India (the new Activa platform and 110 cc Twister/Dream Yuga engine)
[6] If Hero was aware that the Impulse and Maestro models would be soon discontinued, why did they spend so much / put so much effort to promote them?
[7] Probably Hero wasn’t aware of it till now. Because discontinuing models isn’t exactly Hero’s style
[8] If my take is correct then probably Hero won’t launch the 110 cc (Dream Yuga/Twister based engine) Passion X Pro. Remember it was shown at the 2012 Auto Expo
What’s your take?
Related Posts
- Hero Ignitor Launched [Aug 2012]
- Hero Unveild Passion X Pro and Ignitor @ 2012 AutoExpo [Jan 2012]
- Hero to renamce CBZ Xtreme, CD Deluxe and Karizma PGM-Fi soon [Jan 2012]
- Hero Impulse Launched [Oct 2011]
- Hero without Honda? [Sep 2010]
- Story of how Munjal built Hero Honda [Jun 2007]
This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.
11 Comments:
Hope Hero wont launch Passion Xpro accordin to me it was a unnecessary update ....sellin Passion PRo n Xpro at same time ...instead they should put a new heart for the stylish bike
Hi,
I have already been using Hero Honda (now Hero Motocorp) Karizma since past 2 years. & now i intend to buy a new bike in the 125 cc segment with decent average & good styling. I shortlisted Bajaj Discover 125 ST & HeroMotoCorp Ignitor. After having the test drive, i found that the response of the Ignitor was better & it has a crispyness in its features & stlying. The discover wasn't so bad but i found the riding position not very favourable for me as i am used to karizma.
As i recently read that the Ignitor is being phased out, My Question is that SHOULD I BUY THE HERO IGNITOR AT THIS POINT OF TIME? WILL MY SERVICE & SPARES WOULD BE COMPROMISED IN THE NEAR FUTURE ? WHATZ UR TAKE ? PLZ HELP AS I AM PLANNING TO BUY A BIKE THIS WEEK. ALSO WHAT OTHER OPTIONS COULD U SUGGEST IF THE ANSWERS TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS ARE MOSTLY YES.
@ankur: No need to worry. The spare and service shall continue as always, may be around for a minimum of 5 years. My ride is a Yamaha R15 V1(2011) and Yamaha has promised uninterrupted spares and services for a minimum period of 3 years or so. If you're gonna buy a bike from the bajaj stable you could checkout the pulsar 135 ls, its a great bike and offers decent performance and milage or you could also try out the honda stunner as its identical to the hero ignitor with only minor cosmetic difference...
What interest/trust will consumers have in their forthcoming product lines if this is how they clown around with their latest releases? How many know or care about technical agreements & royalties to Honda?
It's the beginning of the end for Hero Moto, I feel. The Munjals are floundering without Honda to fall back on.
Why should you buy a "rebadged" version when the original is also available in the market ?
This discontinuation will obviously send a very bad message to Heros loyal customers. The explanation for discontinuation is very unsatisfactory especially when the impulse was launched with such fanfare. Having said that for majority of indians mileage , reliability and durability is still the biggest concern when buying a bike so the 100 cc bikes will still be popular so hero still has some more time to make money using Honda
Dude... You can go for a Honda Stunner... The bike which you tested, viz, Ignitor is nothing but a Stunner...
Nice article. Thanks for posting this article. I appreciate your writing. I will bookmark your URL.
Dear friends m going to have bike in next week and I have selected hero Ignitor but m affraid if it is discontinued from market ???
so frndss plz suggest me shoul I go for this bike?
Friends, i've planned to buy passion xpro this month. is there any mistake on my decesion?
Now in 2016 can you believe that Giant Honda has discontinued the Stunner and the Hero Ignitor is still available for sale! The Maestro is still available for sale as well.
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