T
he first Honda Activa was launched in India in 2001. This marks Honda’s entry into the scooter segment in the Indian market. Activa quickly gained popularity due to its reliability, durability and fuel efficiency. It has become one of the best sellers in India and has been the market leader in the scooter segment in the country for many years.
The first generation Honda Activa used a 102cc engine and was available in different color options. Honda continued to improve the Activa over the years, introducing new models with more powerful engines, additional features and modern styling.
Since its launch, the Honda Activa has gone through many changes and upgrades, incorporating new technology and design improvements in each version to meet the changing needs of customers. It has become a symbol of trust and confidence for millions of Indian motorists and has contributed to Honda’s success in the Indian two-wheeler market.
Hero Honda Merger
The Hero Honda merger refers to the dissolution of the joint venture between Hero Group of India and Honda Motor Company of Japan, which was established in 1984 to manufacture motorcycles in India. The joint venture, known as Hero Honda Motors Limited, was one of the most successful collaborations in the Indian automotive industry, dominating the Indian motorcycle market for decades.
The decision to dissolve the joint venture was announced in December 2010, with both parties agreeing to end their partnership after 27 years. The merger was completed in 2011, leading to the formation of two separate entities:
Hero MotoCorp Ltd.: After the merger, the Hero Group retained control of the Indian operations and formed Hero MotoCorp Ltd. This company continued to manufacture and market motorcycles under the Hero brand name, which has a strong presence in the Indian market.
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI): Following the dissolution of the joint venture, Honda Motor Company established its wholly-owned subsidiary in India, known as Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI). HMSI operates independently and manufactures and sells Honda-branded motorcycles and scooters in India.
The merger of Hero Honda allows the two companies to pursue their own strategies and focus on their brands independently. While Hero MotoCorp continues to expand its presence in the Indian and international markets, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India is strengthening its position in the Indian two-wheeler market with its wide product portfolio.
Overall, the Hero Honda merger is a significant development for the Indian automobile industry, paving the way for both companies to come together on their own to achieve growth targets.
Hero Honda Best Selling Bike
During the tenure of the Hero Honda joint venture, one of the best-selling bikes was the Hero Honda Splendor. The Splendor was introduced in 1994 and quickly became immensely popular in the Indian market due to its reliability, fuel efficiency, and affordability. It catered to the needs of millions of Indian commuters, offering a comfortable and economical means of transportation.
The Hero Honda Splendor underwent several iterations and updates over the years, with variants such as the Splendor Plus, Splendor Pro, Splendor iSmart, and others being introduced to meet evolving customer preferences and regulatory requirements. Despite changes in branding and technology, the basic characteristics that made the Splendor popular remained consistent, contributing to its sustained success.
Splendor’s reputation for durability and low maintenance, combined with its wide availability and strong name, has strengthened its position as one of India’s best-selling motorcycles year after year. He played a key role in making Hero Honda (later Hero Motorcycles) a dominant player in the Indian motorcycle market.
Five years on from the split, Honda is doing well but Hero is still number one
The coveted numero uno slot. The company aims to surpass Hero by 2015/2016. Hero’s solo journey has seen profits increase but market share decline as a result of its dependence on motorcycles.
Honda has enjoyed three consecutive years of double-digit growth in scooter sales, as opposed to single-digit or low-digit growth in motorcycle sales. In March 2011, the two partners ended their 26-year relationship.
Both have their own unique challenges. Hero has always relied on its technology partners and should focus on building research and development (R&D) capabilities. It is important for Honda to create great products and expand its network.
Honda started selling scooters on its own about 15 years ago while partnering with Hero. The following year, he also launched his own motorcycle brand. Both moved forward. Honda has grown from approximately 800 sales points to 4,500 touch points.
A broad product lineup, improved connectivity and a booming scooter market helped Honda’s share rise from 15% to 26% at the time of the split.
Honda’s biggest advance seems to come from Bajaj Auto, which again left the Japanese company in second place. Bajaj’s market share in the domestic two-wheeler market has fallen from 20% to 11.5% in the last five years.
Honda Activa 7G Motorcycle update
Honda Activa 7G will be the next generation of the Japanese automaker’s Activa 6G, India’s best-selling scooter. While it misses out on features like full digital imaging with 6G, smartphone connectivity and front disc brakes, the scooter of the future could make up for all these shortcomings. All said and done, there’s still no word on when it will be released. However, the Honda Activa 7G is expected to be launched in India in May 2023.
Honda Motorcycles and scooters India (HSMI), the largest two-wheeler brand, became the leader in May 2023. It has been around as a scooter for many years now and most of the credit goes to the feature-packed scooter Activa. The company has announced six generations of the same product and plans to launch the seventh one soon. However, it is likely that Honda will remove 7G from its name this time.
However, the company did not mention or reveal any important details regarding the Activa 7G branding. Reports say that the company is likely to take this decision as the Activa does not receive any major updates in the sixth generation. Under the Indian government’s BS6 emission regulations, only three models have received significant changes to reduce carbon emissions.
Activa 7G will not be significantly different from previous models. Expect to know like lines, but from the perspective of modernity. Think sleeker curves, sharper edges, and maybe even a touch of futurism.
The legendary Honda Activa, the undisputed king of the two-wheeler world, is preparing for its seventh edition and looks set to change the rules of the game.
Excitement about Activa 7G has reached its peak with its launch date in April 2024. Let’s take a look at what we know so far about the highly anticipated release and why it has everyone’s attention.
Evolution, not revolution: Activa 7G will not be radically different from its beloved predecessor. Expect to know like lines, but from the perspective of modernity. Think sleeker curves, sharper edges, and maybe even a hint of the future.
Although the basic DNA remains the same, 7G promises to take the Activa experience to a whole new level.
Performance Power: Rumors speak of engine upgrade, possibly a BS6 compliant 125cc power unit with better acceleration and better fuel efficiency. Imagine effortlessly navigating traffic with energy and confidence, knowing you’re making the most of every drop of gas.
The 7G should retain the driving dynamics that Activa is known for its stability and ease of handling, making it ideal for driving on India’s busy roads.
As the release date approaches, the excitement becomes palpable. April 2024 may come soon for millions of Indians who are eagerly waiting for the arrival of Activa 7G. Whether you’re a college student looking for a reliable ride, a professional looking for an easy commute, or a family looking for a safe and efficient ride, 7G has something for everyone.
