Continuing to invest in ‘Make in India’, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) today inaugurated the fourth assembly line at its landmark third two-wheeler plant at Narsapura (near Bengaluru, Karnataka) in India. With this latest expansion of 0.6 million units, Honda 2Wheelers India’s combined annual production capacity from all four plants is 6.4 million units annually – making India the No. 1 production hub for Honda’s two-wheeler operation globally for the first time.
Present at the line inauguration at Honda’s third plant in Karnataka were Mr. Shinji Aoyama, Chief Officer – Asia and Oceania Regional Operations, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.), Mr. Minoru Kato (President & CEO – Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd) and senior management officials from Honda.
Elaborating how Asia Oceania region contributes 60% to Honda’s global two-Wheeler, automotive and power product sales and how India is driving the growth, Mr. Shinji Aoyama, Chief Officer, Regional Operations (Asia & Oceania), Honda Motor Co., said, “Honda’s two-wheeler business spans more than 120 countries worldwide and India is leading the demand. In 2016-17, India alone contributed 28% to Honda’s global 2Wheeler sales and became the No. 1 contributor to Honda’s two-wheeler business. The growing Indian 2Wheeler market is top priority for Honda. To better meet dynamic market demand and to prepare for the future opportunities, today Honda has inaugurated the fourth assembly line in the Karnataka plant. With this, the Narsapura plant will now produce 24 lac two-wheelers annually. This makes the Narsapura the world’s largest two-wheeler plant for Honda and also India the No. 1 production base for Honda globally.”
Detailing on Honda’s growth trajectory in India & the trend of increasing demand for automatic scooters in Indian market, Mr. Minoru Kato – President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “In the first quarter of FY’2017-18, Honda Wheelers India aggressive growth led the industry momentum. Growing double the speed of industry at 19%, Honda alone contributed 68% to industry’s new volumes resulting in 3% market share gain to ever highest of 30%. While expanding leadership in scooter segment (59% market share), Honda is now also the new No. 2 motorcycle brand of India. The latest expansion further fortifies Honda’s ability to serve the market faster with its increased annual production capacity to 6.4 million units from all plants. In the long term, Honda 2Wheelers India’s steady and strategic investments will power our dreams to make India the Export hub worldwide.”
