Honda steps up commuter game with new bikes to take on Hero

By Admin

24 Jul, 2025

Revving Up the Competition
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), the second-largest two-wheeler player in the country, is shifting gears in a bold move to challenge Hero MotoCorp's dominance in the commuter motorcycle segment. In a significant product push, Honda has launched two new motorcycles — the Shine 100 Deluxe and the CB125 Hornet — aiming to expand its footprint in the high-volume commuter category and close the gap with market leader Hero.

Challenging Hero’s Stronghold
Despite HMSI’s impressive market presence overall, the company currently holds only about 6% market share in the entry-level motorcycle segment — a domain long ruled by Hero MotoCorp, which boasts an overwhelming 78% share powered by the continued success of the Splendor. But with commuter bikes (100-110cc) still accounting for 46% of motorcycle volumes and 29% of total two-wheeler sales in FY25, Honda sees a huge opportunity for growth.

New Launches with Big Ambitions
The newly launched Shine 100 Deluxe strengthens Honda’s position in the entry-level segment, joining the already existing Shine 100. At the same time, the CB125 Hornet, with its aggressive street-style design and youth-oriented features, marks Honda’s intent to maintain leadership in the 125cc category, which has been buoyed by the popularity of the Activa and Shine.

“With these two new models, our volume is surely going to go up,” said Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing at HMSI. “Last year was very significant for us because in the total industry growth of 1.6 million, we contributed 50% of the growth. We expect to have this kind of growth in this fiscal year as well with the launch of these two motorcycles.”

Sales Momentum & Market Targets
Honda's retail sales in FY25 stood at 47,89,283 units, up from 40,93,895 units in FY24, making it the second-best performer after Hero MotoCorp. In comparison, Hero sold 54,45,251 units in FY25, only slightly higher than its FY24 sales of 53,97,315 units. Honda’s growing momentum reflects its sharpened focus and strategic launches in critical segments.

Looking ahead, Honda aims for a 30% share in the Indian two-wheeler market by 2030, up from its current 27%. A key part of this plan is expanding rural outreach with its affordable commuter bikes while targeting the urban youth with feature-rich models like the CB125 Hornet.

What’s Next?
Bookings for both the Honda Shine 100 Deluxe and the CB125 Hornet will open on August 1, 2025, signaling a strong festive-season push. With these aggressive moves, HMSI is not just aiming for volume but is redefining its presence in India’s largest two-wheeler market.

As Honda accelerates into the heart of the commuter segment, the battle for dominance with Hero MotoCorp is set to intensify — promising an exciting road ahead for Indian motorcycle buyers.