4 Passion X Pro appears on Hero's Website [Details/Price/Photos]

Hero publishes details of its next model, the Passion X Pro on its official site

Of the three models shown at the 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo (Maestro scooter, 125 cc Ignitor & 110 cc Passion X Pro), Hero finally publishes details of the Passion X Pro on it's site. Having already launched the other two models shown at the expo, the Passion X Pro is now expected to make it to the showrooms very soon.

My Take on the Style: My first impression of the bike in terms of looks is that it is a neat looking commuter bike. The Passion (100 cc) is already a popular model with stylish looks (for a commuter) as it's main selling point. From what appears from the photos, the new Passion X Pro does take the stylish commuter quotient of brand Passion successfully to the next logical level.

2 Bajaj phases out the Boxer BM150 in India, Discover becomes World No. 1 in Sep 2012

Bajaj pulls the plug of one brand (Boxer) in India at the same time one of its other brand (Discover) becomes world no.1 ..

According to Mr. Bajaj; Pulsar, Discover and Boxer are the three major brands around which the strategy of Bajaj Auto would revolve in the near future. With the Pulsar continuing with its decade long dominance in the 150 cc and above segments and the already hot selling Discover becoming the World's Number One selling brand in the month of September 2012 (displacing the Hero Splendor), Mr. Bajaj seems vindicated with his brand strategy.

Brands might not die but can lose it's relevance over time

But Bajaj has recently discontinued the Boxer BM150 in India citing slow sales. It means that the Boxer brand will now be limited to the export markets like Nigeria in Africa where the Boxer brand is quite popular.

News Source: BS Motoring, DNA

4 Royal Enfield updates the Thunderbird 350

The Thunderbird 350 gets updated along with the newly launched Thunderbird 500..

Along with the new Thunderbird 500, Royal Enfield has also updated the Thunderbird 350. Visually the Thunderbird 350 looks identical to the newly launched Thunderbird 500. Royal Enfield is obviously taking advantage of the newly developed platform for the Thunderbird 500 and thus saving on production costs here by giving the Thunderbird 350 gets similar looks and features as it's bigger sibling.

Difference between the Thunder 500 and new Thunderbird 350

The difference with the Thunder 500 and the Thunderbird 350 is that the 350 gets a smaller bore 350 cc engine and carburetor instead of fuel injection. Accordingly there is also a difference in the pricing. The new Thunderbird 350 is priced at Rs. 1.43 lakh on-the-road, Mumbai. Thus making it about Rs. 40K cheaper than the bigger 500 cc variant.

0 Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 Launched

Royal Enfield launches the new Thunderbird 500: Price, Photos, Official Video, Specifications..

Q. "Is it a "Cruiser" or is it a "Roadster"?"

A. "It's a Highway Cruiser. A bike that is designed to be ridden on Indian roads. Even if sometimes there is no such thing as a road."

The above lines have been taken from the official video of the Thunderbird 500 posted below. From the lines it's clear that Royal Enfield is well aware that the new Thunderbird 500 in its updated form is not a "Classic Cruiser" like the traditional Harley Davidson models nor is it a honest "Roadster" like the Sporster range of models from Harley Davidson.

The new Thunderbird 500 according to Royal Enfield is a bike designed to be ridden on Indian Highways/Roads. But then the question still remains: "What kind of motorcycle is the Thunderbird 500?" I can't wait to check it out myself. The one thing which has got me excited is the low "775 mm" seat height of the TBird 500. I think shorter riders can rejoice..!!

Meanwhile check out the official video and details of the Thunderbird 500 posted below:

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.