Also, as part of future
preparedness before the big jump to new BSVI norms in 2020, Honda’s
cross-functional BS-VI task-force from Sales, Engineering, R&D, Purchase
and Quality is proactively working on the primary objective of strengthening
quality, product planning with cost competitiveness.
Minoru Kato -President and
CEO, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “India is already the
Number One contributor to Honda’s global two-wheeler business. Our record sales
have set a solid foundation in 2017-18 and Honda 2wheelers India will further
consolidate its position in 2018-19 as we get ready to lead the biggest
paradigm shift of 2020. Moving ahead with the same momentum on back of customer
demand, we will invest close to Rs. 800 crore as we aim for double digit growth
for the third consecutive year in a row as well.”
Honda 2Wheelers India will
pack a lot of excitement in FY’2018-19
* In the pipeline from Honda
during this fiscal are be one brand new model and 18 exciting upgrades of
existing products.
* Network expansion will be
the next step from making for India to delivering to India. Honda 2Wheelers
India will further expand its reach to 6,000 touchpoints with key focus on
hinterlands.
* Honda Best Deal network –
the industry’s first pre-owned two-wheeler business by any manufacturer will
expand to close at 250 touchpoints this year.
* With replacement period of
two-wheelers coming down from 5-7 years to 3-5 years, Honda’s existing customer
base of 36 million valued customers will drive new opportunities of growth.
Aiming to lead in customer satisfaction, Honda will introduce Honda Joy Club –
a unique customer loyalty program in 2018 itself.
Strategic consolidation starts for 2020
Internally, Honda has
initiated the modernisation and unification of production constitution across
all plants. This move will help Honda reap the benefit of higher productivity
with efficiency and match product quality to world standards. Externally, Honda
has pro-actively announced its BS-VI roadmap with its suppliers to ensure a
smooth and timely product portfolio upgradation.
To further differentiate brand
Honda and strengthen its power among all stakeholders, Honda 2Wheelers India
has created a new Brand and Communication operation. The new operation’s
mandate includes Road safety promotion & Racing DNA of Honda through
Motorsports - the two core pillars of Honda brand globally. Driving the
communication of brand with all stakeholders will be the new Corporate
Communications division.
Overview of 2017-18 – Honda’s most defining year in India
Elaborating on Honda’s
performance in 2017-18, Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Senior Vice President – Sales
& Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “2017-18
was a historic year for Honda in more than one way. Honda 2Wheelers India is
the only two-wheeler company in the world to grow at a pace witnessed never
before, adding 1 million plus incremental customers in a single year. Led by
strong demand in both domestic and exports front, Honda’s sales apexed at
6,123,886 units with 22% growth. Honda successfully consolidated leadership
further in scooter segment while aggressively gaining new motorcycle customers.
The aggressive launch of 4 brand new models, new capacity infusion and addition
of 500 new outlets propelled Honda’s growth story further and set the solid
foundation for future growth.”