Honda Reignites Mass Market Ambitions with Shine 100 DX and CB125 Hornet

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In a 12 months that marks its twenty fifth anniversary in India, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) is steerage decisively into the 2 segments that outline the country`s mass motorcycling landscape — 100cc and 125cc. With the advent of the Shine one hundred DX and the CB125 Hornet, Honda isn`t simply bringing new merchandise; it's miles polishing its approach to win the extent recreation via a mix of nearby relevance, client segmentation, and product distinction.

This isn`t new territory for HMSI, however the technique is greater calibrated than ever before — drawing from deep patron insight, converting aspirations, and a developing information that logo loyalty in India`s commuter area is constructed on dependability first, and layout later.

Two segments, exceptional customers

The 100cc phase in India is vast, accounting for almost 29 according to cent of the whole -wheeler marketplace. Honda`s Shine one hundred, released years ago, helped the logo seize almost 15 according to cent of the lower-give up commuter marketplace. But Honda knew this wasn`t the entire opportunity.

“The 100cc phase is bifurcated," stated Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing, HMSI. “One is extraordinarily price-touchy and utility-focused. For this, we have already got Shine one hundred. But 70 according to cent of the phase is made of riders searching past fundamental mobility — they need reliability, sturdiness and a experience of pride."

This is wherein the Shine one hundred Deluxe suits in. With a virtual meter, wider gasoline tank, five-step adjustable suspension, tubeless tyres, and top rate graphics, the Deluxe brings a brand new degree of aspiration to the entry-degree commuter. It`s constructed for every day grind however crafted to appear to be it belongs to a better bracket.

“In a phase that contributes to twenty according to cent of the general industry, we see big potential," introduced Mathur. “And the timing aligns flawlessly with festive season demand."

Honda CB125 Hornet: A fashion play for Gen Z

At the alternative give up of the commuter spectrum is the 125cc category, wherein Honda already instructions a fifty one according to cent marketplace percentage as of Q1 FY25. The SP125 and Shine one hundred twenty five have lengthy been staples on this area, however patron expectancies have evolved.

“Young shoppers not need only a motorcycle — they need an expression of identity," Mathur stated. “That`s wherein the CB125 Hornet comes in. It isn't best sporty however full of tech and fashion capabilities Gen Z cares about."

Golden USD forks, a four.2-inch TFT virtual cluster with Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and distance-to-empty readouts, break up seats, LED lighting — all rolled right into a bundle that hits the candy spot among overall performance and practicality. With a 0–60 kmph time of 5.four seconds, it additionally brings actual overall performance cred to the phase.

Mathur disregarded any fears of cannibalisation inside Honda`s portfolio, saying, “These merchandise will convey new customers. There`s sufficient headroom in each 100cc and 125cc to develop with out ingesting into current volumes."

For Tsutsumu Otani, its more about delivering value than chasing numbers (Mohd Nasir for HT Auto) — For Tsutsumu Otani, its greater approximately turning in price than chasing numbers (Mohd Nasir for HT Auto)
“Leadership may be a byproduct of relevance," Mathur emphasised. “If we live in sync with what the Indian purchaser needs — be it in design, application or aspiration — the numbers will follow."

Electrification and a multi-gas future
Even because it reinforces its ICE playbook, Honda is in no tearing hurry at the electrification front. When senior participants of its worldwide two-wheeler management group visited India recently, the message became refreshingly candid. Minoru Kato, the pinnacle of the Motorcycle enterprise at Honda Motor Company, did now no longer mince phrases in describing the nearby EV two-wheeler marketplace as “stagnant" — a area propped up greater through subsidies and gas rate tension than actual patron conviction.

Honda debuted its electric powered two-wheelers — the Activa e with a swappable battery and the Honda QC1 with a hard and fast battery — in advance this year. The rollout has been phased, beginning with Bengaluru and increasing to Delhi and Mumbai. “We`re nevertheless withinside the manner of comparing which battery technique works satisfactory for the Indian marketplace," Otani said.

However, HMSI`s avenue to carbon neutrality, which it plans to attain through 2050, isn't always constrained to EVs alone. The corporation is actively pursuing a multi-pathway method towards carbon neutrality. This highlights a focal point on Flex-gas technologies, which Honda has already undoubtedly achieved in Brazil, with greater than 7 million flex-gas two-wheeled automobiles bought so far.

Yogesh Mathur said that the corporation's imaginative and prescient is to provide clients sustainable alternatives with out compromising overall performance or affordability (Mohd Nasir for HT Auto)
Yogesh Mathur said that the corporation's imaginative and prescient is to provide clients sustainable alternatives with out compromising overall performance or affordability (Mohd Nasir for HT Auto)
The corporation has released its first ethanol-like minded motorbike in India - the Honda CB300F Flex Fuel - and is now running with governments to make clear regulations and incentives round bioethanol-primarily based totally mobility solutions.

Mathur echoed this broader outlook, stating, “We aren't having a bet on a unmarried technology. Whether it`s EVs, ICE or flex-gas, our imaginative and prescient is to provide clients sustainable alternatives with out compromising overall performance or affordability."

The lengthy game
In many ways, Honda`s 2025 playbook displays the balancing act many legacy automakers are attempting: doubling down on ICE wherein it nevertheless thrives, even as getting ready the ground — carefully however firmly — for an electric powered and sustainable future.

As Otani succinctly placed it for the duration of the event, “This isn't always pretty much new products. It is ready reinforcing Honda`s position in India`s mobility story — throughout segments, technologies, and generations."

For now, the Shine a hundred Deluxe and CB125 Hornet can also additionally appear to be modest moves. But withinside the giant chessboard of India`s two-wheeler marketplace, they may be strategic placements, intended to consolidate territory and form perception — one commuter, one aspirational rider at a time.

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