Owing to the rising demand of its 125cc offering, the CB Shine, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) is planning to refurbish its Karnataka facility to include the bike in its production line-up. The facility currently manufactures the Dream Neo, Dream Yuga and Activa with a capacity of producing 12 lakh units per year. Currently, the CB Shine is manufactured in the company’s plant at Tapukara, Rajasthan.
Talking to the PTI, Y. S. Guleria, Vice-President, HMSI said, "It is a strategic decision taken by the company. In order to cater to the demand for the CB Shine, we are coming up with changes in our Bangalore facility. So, CB Shine will become the fourth model to roll out from the Bangalore facility." The Gurgaon-based subsidiary of Honda Japan plans to increase its capacity from 40 lakh units to 46 lakh units till this March. He also added that Honda was considering adding a fourth facility in the country to gratify the rising demand.
Honda sold 27.55 lakh units in the fiscal year 2012-13 and has set a target of selling 39.3 lakh units in 2013-14. Honda acceded that due to the changes being affected at the Karnataka plant, they may not make the mark, but said it was going to be very close.
Honda also announced its intentions to increase its dealer network from the current 2,500 outlets. “By March 2014, we aim to have 2,700 outlets. We are focusing on Tier-III towns as we think we are under-represented at the tehsil level," Guleria added.
In related news, Honda announced a road safety program for kids in association with Pogo channel and the cartoon character, Chota Bheem. Talking about the initiative, HMSI President & CEO, Keita Muramatsu said, "HMSI has further built its commitment towards road safety by associating with Pogo and popular character Chhota Bheem. Honda, together with Chhota Bheem, shall spread the message on importance of road safety across the country."
