Giving momentum to its ‘Make in India’ campaign, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has announced that it is going to start manufacturing the CBR650F in India, from early next year. This announcement has fueled rumours that the Japanese manufacturer will be launching the CBR650F in India, in the fourth quarter of this financial year.
Honda first showcased the CBR650F in India at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo, earlier this year, though details about the motorcycle’s launch in India were sketchy. The latest announcement was made by Mr. Y. S. Guleria, VP, sales and marketting, HMSI at the ground breaking ceremony for the company’s new plant in Vithalapur, Gujarat.
"We announce that (from) next year Honda will start making the CBR650 in India. By this, we will not only open up the skill of our existing manpower but it will also showcase the Honda India's manufacturing quality to the world. The purpose is to build in India and also the affordability aspect will be considered for customers with Make in India commitment,” Mr. Guleria said.
Mr. Guleria’s statement hints that the CBR650F motorcycle will not just be assembled, but manufactured entirely in India. For now, the company has decided to withhold the details about which of its three facilities in the country will be handed the responsibility of producing the CBR650F.
The Honda CBR650F is a middleweight supersports motorcycle which is powered by a 650cc four-cylinder engine that churns out 87bhp and a peak torque of 63Nm. The local manufacturing should make the CBR650F the most affordable four-cylinder motorcycle in the country, bringing it within the reach of a larger enthusiast audience. Once launched, it will rival the likes of Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Hyosung GT650R and the upcoming Benelli BN 600GT.
