4 The Rise of Honda in India

Honda (Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India) looks all poised to take off in a big way in India now..

In 1981 there was a so called "Honda-Yamaha War" in which the two motorcycle giants fought for the title of the biggest 2 wheeler maker of the world. The "war" was initially started by Yamaha. What happened in the next 18 months is the stuff of legends.

Honda launched/replaced 113 models and Yamaha could manage just 37 (both had around 60 models when the "war" started). Apart from new models Honda went on the offensive to launch new technologies and aggressive distribution systems. Ultimately Yamaha had to make a public "Surrender"..!!

Learning from the above incident is loud and clear. Messing with Honda can be a messy affair.

In stark contrast to the famous "Honda Yamaha War", Honda's approach in India (HMSI) has been quite slow but steady. As evident from the graphic posted below, Honda in 2011-12 has increased their market share (in motorcycles) to around 7.6 % from a market share of 3.5 % in 2005-06.

11 TVS currently not keen to explore 180 cc plus motorcycles. Where is the Racing DNA?

TVS seems to have no 180 cc plus ambitions currently.. Hello its the end of 2012..!!

I have often come across statements like “Own sources/friends tell us.. We have insider news.. that TVS will soon launch a 200/220/250 cc Apache RTR Motorcycle..!! ” Just a casual search on the net will land you to many such baseless websites/blogs.

But now the Chairman of TVS Motor Company has himself cleared doubts over the so far “mythological” 200 cc (+) motorcycle models from TVS. Speaking to the press during the launch of the Phoenix 125, Mr. Venu Srinivasan has told the media.



“It is small segment (200-250 cc). Once you go beyond 150-180cc the numbers are much, much small. Our focus is below that. - Mr V. Srinivasan (Chairman TVS Motor)

Source: Deccan Chronicle

Situation Critical for TVS Motor (in motorcycles)

8 TVS Phoenix 125 launched

TVS launched a 125 cc bike called "Phoenix"..

TVS Motor has launched a new 125 cc model called "Phoenix" today. This is probably the "Radeon" 125 cc concept which TVS spoke of during the 2012 Auto Expo. With it's 125cc "Flame" not moving out of showrooms, TVS virtually had no model at this category and price point till now. The Phoenix therefore should be an important model for TVS.


Source: Money Control

Just to educate that "Phoenix" is promounced as "Fe-nix" and NOT "Pho-Eee-Nix"..

..TVS will have to spend crores of Rupees

The Phoenix gets a 125cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, "EcoThrust" engine which makes 11PS of power and 10Nm of torque. Gear box is a 4-speed affair. 67kmpl fuel efficiency is what the company claims. For features, the Phoenix has digital instruments with a service due indicator, low battery reminder, hazard lights, engine kill switch, LED pilot lamps, alloy wheels and a petal disc in the front. Priced at Rs 51,000 for the drum brake version and Rs 53,000 for the disc brake version Ex-Showroom Chennai puts it very close to Discover 125ST and CB Shine category.

But I see problems here for TVS:

[Problem 1] Styling: I mean come on.. apart from those BIG stickers on the tank which shout 125, I don't see anything here which will make anyone take a second glance.

5 From my wish list: Dual Sport Helmet [What/Why/Benefits/Drawbacks/Brands in India]

A look at Dual Sport helmets..

Yep, a dual sport helmet is next in my wish list of must have biking gears (i.e. after I get a new bike for myself first).



But what is a dual sport helmet in the first place? What are the benefits and drawbacks of a dual sport helmet? Why this sudden itch of mine for a dual sport helmet? And what are the options/brands of dual sport helmets in India? Let’s run down one question at a time.

11 Official Shocker: Hero to stop/discontinue/phase out Impulse, Ignitor & Maestro..!!

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