Hero MotoCorp seems to be flexing its muscles in the Indian auto market as the famous two-wheel manufacturer recently announced its plans to expand reach in major foreign markets. Also to mention, the two-wheeler giant showcased its future product line-up for the next year at its recently concluded annual global marketing and sales conference. At the conference held in Macau, Hero MotoCorp took off the curtains from its models that are supposed to be launched in future and told that during 2014, it aims to introduce 15 new bikes out of which a few will make their headway start in India by this year's festive season.
Speaking at the event, Hero MotoCorp Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Pawan Munjal said "What we are showing here today is a result of our own research and development with support from our technology partners. Earlier, we had said between September 2013 and March 2014 we will have over a dozen new offerings. Today, we have 15 new products here."
One of the main highlights at the Hero Global Sales and Marketing Conference was its new version of Splendor, named i-Smart. In the bike, a V-shape headlamp is provided and the overall design of instrument cluster panel has been revamped. Also, i-Smart had more angular styling as compared to current generation model of Splendor. Addition of dual-tone body panels, split grab bar for pillion rider, black finish engine and exhaust coverings gives a trendy appearance to the bike apart from the conventional 5-spoke alloy wheels.
Banking on the upcoming festive to push sales, Hero MotoCorp might be offering a majority of new products in the October to December quarter. Speaking on this, Munjal was further quoted as saying, "Most of these products are for the domestic market. We expect the festive season to be good on the back of the good monsoon, recent RBI announcements and the positive sentiment coming back in the market." While commenting on the first model that is developed jointly by Hero MotoCorp with Erik Buell Racing, he said "We will be launching the new Karizma variants which are redesigned and the engine made more powerful with our partner EBR. This is the first commercial production model in which they have played a big part in development."
Industry experts are of a view that the recent announcements made by Hero MotoCorp are solely riding on the back of expansion plans, which include setting up new plants in Rajasthan and Gujarat that are a part of Rs. 2,500 crore investment plan in order to increase production. Also to mention, the Indian two-wheeler company recently gained entry into the African market with the launch of its products in Kenya. Hero MotoCorp also established an assembly plant in Kenya to meet the demand for vehicles. After that, it entered the Latin America continent with its product launches in Peru. The company has been working aggressively on developing vehicles that are powered by its own technology, besides embarking on an international expansion spree, since the group parted ways with Honda.
