Will Hero MotoCorp make a dent in Honda’s scooter sales?

Most of us know the importance of a owning a scooter in a family as it is a practical mode of transport for all. Honda has been leading this pack with the help of the Activa brand, which consists of three models – the Activa i, Activa and the Activa 125 and I won’t be surprised if we see more scooters lined up under this brand which is so strong that Indian consumers tend to wait for months to own one.

But this may change in next few months. Hero MotoCorp shocked everyone by unveiling a range of scooters around the 2014 Auto Expo. I use the word ‘around’ because the Gurgaon based manufacturer unveiled two scooters – the Dash and the diesel scooter concept “RNT” few days before the Auto Expo. At the biennial event, it unveiled two more scooters – the Dare and the Zir. Four scooters unveiled in a matter of few days, clearly shows Hero MotoCorp wants to do serious business. 

Till now, Hero has been doing some more than decent sales with the Maestro and the Pleasure. But to take on the company that sold around 1.72 lakh units in June 2014, it is not an easy task and need a range of scooters to compete. And this is what exactly Hero MotoCorp has done. But I feel Hero is taking its own sweet time to launch these scooters. The Dare won’t see Indian roads until October this year. The Dare and the Zir are expected to be launched in 2015 and by then I think, we will have many other Indian manufacturers jumping on the scooter band wagon, only to make Hero’s business tough.

The only way Hero MotoCorp can taste success is by giving a stylish, fuel-efficient and value for money scooters. I feel the style factor has been taken care of. The Dare and the Zir, both look very stylish and futuristic. The durability of these scooters is still not known and only can be tested once it is launched. But due to the strong brand equity of the Honda Activa, it will take many months for Hero MotoCorp to come close to it.