Sources close to Honda disclosed that because of the 50% drop in daily production at HMSI factory, the waiting period for Honda scooters now stands at around two months. But he feels that the customers who want to buy a Honda are willing to wait to get delivery of their two wheelers.

Other manufacturers like Bajaj say that there are people who must have a new vehicle for the Diwali season. So there's a palpable spillover in the increased demand for Bajaj models. The other Japanese two-wheeler maker Suzuki added that they were confident of touching 31,000 units both for September and October, which represents a 40% growth against similar period last year. Most two-wheeler manufacturers, including Honda achieve around 10% of their yearly sales during the festive months between September and October.

[Via: BIKE-India]

It is an entry level sports motorcycle with a fairing made further as if an actual off-road sports bike. Bajaj along with Kawasaki will be marketing it in India and is soon expected to be seen in the market in Bajaj Pro biking showrooms. Bajaj will import the Ninja250R in CKD form from Thailand to save on custom duties.

Kawasaki has marketed the Ninja 250R since 1986 as an entry-level sport motorcycle intended for use on paved roads. The bike is marketed in the US as the Ninja 250R, as the ZX250 in the UK, and as the GPX250 elsewhere.

[Via: BIKEINDIA]

HMSI is looking at increasing production capacity at its plant in Manesar from the current 1.07 million units per annum to 1.5 million units per annum, by mid-2010. The company will also be investing about Rs 200 crore towards R&D activity in India and towards upgrading its two-wheelers to make sure they comply with BS-III norms.

Riding on innovative strategies across functions, the company's June sales jumped 23.7 per cent to 3,65,734 units thereby registering its sixth consecutive month of over three lakh sales starting January'09. Hero Honda had sold 2,95,675 units of two-wheelers in June 2008.

Hero Honda's cumulative sales for the Q1 (April-June) of FY'10 rose by 25.1 per cent to 11,18,987 units of two-wheelers, thereby taking its share in the domestic motorcycle market to an all-time high of 59 per cent. The company's sales in the corresponding period last year was 8,94,244 units.

Mr. Anil Dua, Sr. Vice-President (Marketing & Sales), Hero Honda Motors Ltd said, "Our performance in the month of June, as indeed in the first quarter, is very satisfying, coming as it does on the back of a high base last year. Our strategy has been driven by innovation in every sphere of our activity - building a robust product portfolio across categories, exploring new markets, aggressively expanding the network and continuing to invest in brand building activities. Going forward, we will continue to stay true to our strategy, and carry on setting new benchmarks."

In an acknowledgement of the trust that customers across the country repose in the company, Hero Honda has recently been adjudged amongst the "Most Trusted Brands" in 2009 by Brand Equity Survey; and "Trusted Brand" (Motorcycles) 2009 by Reader's Digest magazine. It has also been honored with the Dun & Bradstreet, Rolta Corporate Awards 2008 in two-wheeler category.

[Via: infibeam]

TVS domestic motorcycle sales stood at 43,165 units in May this year, as against 41,901 units in May 2008. Exports, however, were down 21%, at 11,135 units during May 2009 as against 14,071 units in the year-ago period.

Yamaha kept the momentum going, with an 82.38% hike in sales during May. The company sold 16,952 units during May this year, as against 9,295 units during May last year.

The country's no.1 two-wheeler manufacturer, Hero Honda logged an increase of 22.52% in sales during May 2009, at 382,678 units, as against 312,317 units sold during May 2008.

[Via: indiaautomotive]

This comes close on the heels of a 30 per cent growth in Hero Honda's April sales, when the company sold 3,70,575 units of two-wheelers. With this, Hero Honda's cumulative sales in the new financial year (April-May, 2009-10) goes up to 7,53,253, a growth of 25.8 per cent over the corresponding period last year when the company sold 5,98,569 units.

Hero Honda has been consistently building on its strong 58 per cent share in the domestic motorcycle market in the country, even as the uncertainty over interest rates and an overall credit squeeze continues to impact the industry adversely.

Mr. Anil Dua, Sr. Vice-President (Marketing, Sales & Customer Care), Hero Honda Motors Ltd said, "The strategic building-blocks that we put in place in the past couple of years have been key to our consistent growth month after month. Consistent product refreshes, aggressive network expansion, exploring new markets, clutter-breaking communication and ground activation have been the hallmark of this strategy. We have also built an extensive network of over 3500 touch-points across the country, which will be taken up to 4000 by the end of this year.

"Going forward, we will therefore also keep up our relentless effort to reach out to customers spread across the semi-urban and upcountry markets," he added.

Most of the new launches such as the Passion Pro, Splendor NXG self-start, the special edition Hunk, the new Pleasure, in addition to the trusted Splendor + and Passion Plus, have been share-and-volume drivers for the company.

Hunk and CBZ X-treme continue to help build on Hero Honda's steadily growing share in the premium segment. Hero Honda was given the "Trusted Brand" (Motorcycles) Award 2009 by Reader's Digest magazine in the month of May.

[Via: infibeam]

With the fewest dealerships and a very small range of products, Suzuki remains the smallest player in India in the two-wheelers segment, which is quite in contrast to its dominant position in the passenger cars segment in the country.

[Via: indiaautomotive]

According to Pawan Munjal, MD, Hero Honda, the company always manufactures products that the customer wants and that are driving sales. He also commented that it's the manufacturer's single-minded focus to drive volumes which automatically leads to higher profits. Other two-wheeler manufacturers like Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor Co have not been fortunate enough and have registered negative growth.

Hero Honda has been the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer for the past eight consecutive years. The company's focus on maintaining its market lead in the entry-level segment, which is the country's largest two-wheeler market segment, has ensured it remains unaffected in the ongoing economic slowdown.

[Via: BIKE]