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    Royal Enfield HIM-E Electric Himalayan Unveiled With Himalayan Rally Edition

    Royal Enfield HIM-E UnveiledAs opposed to the ADVs of the past, Royal Enfield HIM-E electric Himalayan testbed shows sustainable explorations on two wheels for the futureIconic motorcycle manufacturer, Royal Enfield, has been taking significant strides to expand its portfolio. We recently saw the launch of Bullet 350 and Himalayan 450 will launch in the coming days. Now, Royal Enfield is taking steps in an all-new zero-emission direction by unveiling Electric Himalayan Testbed at 2023 EICMA Show in Milan, Italy.Royal Enfield HIM-E Electric Himalayan TestbedThis is the hot stuff from Royal Enfield’s booth at 2023 EICMA Show. The new Electric Himalayan Testbed is to demonstrate what an electric Royal Enfield motorcycle could look like in the future. With this concept, Royal Enfield is actively pursuing sustainable explorations for future motorcycles. Not only sustainability, HIM-E boasts better performance at high altitudes as it doesn’t require oxygen to combust.Being a spiritual home for Royal Enfield, Himalayas have been a calling for the brand. And, a major inspiration for developing Himalayan 411. Over the past seven years, Himalayan has been a global phenomenon in affordable adventure touring. Royal Enfield’s Electric Mobility team had been tasked with carving a creative yet, quintessentially Royal Enfield product.This way, purpose and innovation meet with RE’s DNA. According to company, Electric Himalayan is not to cram as many batteries as possible in one motorcycle. But to allow rider to soak in the music of silence. So, a rider hears more of his surroundings and less of their motorcycle. Something which is not possible with regular Himalayan.Royal Enfield HIM-E powertrainWe can see that the main battery is a primary stress member of the frame. It looks robust and has a Spartan appeal. Round headlights, tall windscreen, gold-finished USD telescopic front forks, Ohlins rear mono-shock suspension, Red-finished frame, single-piece seat that even extends over its tank, custom cast swingarm, RE logo on motor casing, HIM-E branding on side panels are notable elements.Royal Enfield Himalayan Rally Edition Showcased at EICMAThe brand has a massive fan following with a slew of 350cc motorcycles and a few 650cc products. Now, its product portfolio will be expanded to incorporate a brand new platform with Sherpa 450 engine. This platform has debuted with the new Royal Enfield Himalayan. At 2023 EICMA Show, Royal Enfield showcased Rally Edition of new Himalayan.With Rally Edition, Royal Enfield Himalayan is made slightly sleeker, especially at the rear. There is a new sub frame that looks much cleaner and minimal. Seat is flatter and there is no rack as well. Exhaust looks much beefier than regular Himalayan and adds to overall macho appeal of this off-road machine.Royal Enfield Himalayan Rally EditionThe body panel covering this rear subframe is also brand new and it has RALLY lettering too. Another highlight is knuckle guards that look sturdy and designed to take a beating. It also dons other accessories that we have detailed before. More

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    Honda XRE 300 Sahara Revives Iconic Nameplate – CB300F Based ADV For India?

    New Sahara alongside OG SaharaWith a similar powertrain setup as CB300F in India, Honda XRE 300 Sahara could be a game changer for the company’s Big Wing lineupHonda, a 2W juggernaut of the world, is currently one of the largest 2W manufacturers in India. The company has not seen good reception to its premium motorcycles range sold through Big Wing dealerships. Can a new ADV fix that? Is that ADV, Honda XRE 300 Sahara? With engine from CB300F? Sounds like a fitting proposition, though.Honda XRE 300 Sahara UnveiledThe Japanese 2W manufacturer has seen little success with its Big Wing products in India. Two motorcycles underwent significant price revisions for that very reason. We’re talking about Honda CB300F and CB300R that shed Rs. 59K and Rs. 37K respectively. The prospect of an ADV under Rs. 2 lakh sold via Big Wing dealerships might prove to be a good strategy.In Brazil, Honda has confirmed it is reviving Sahara nameplate with its XRE 300. There are not a lot of details revealed about this bike. But, 2024 Honda XRE 300 Sahara will be showcased physically this month, with a launch slated in Brazil sometime in 2024. As of now, Honda has released two images of upcoming XRE 300 Sahara.As seen in the images, XRE 300 Sahara pays tribute to the classic NX 350 Sahara of the 90s. The OG Honda Sahara derived its mechanicals from XLX 350R. Instead of naked off-roader appeal with a beak, OG Sahara packed a handsome fairing with a square headlight. A somewhat similar concept is implied in the new Sahara.Honda XRE 300 Sahara designBased on Honda’s XRE 300, it misses out on the front beak, knobby off-road tyres, and the whole off-roady vibe. Instead, Sahara brings along a more handsome fairing, integrated frame sliders (fairing protectors), a much taller windscreen, Metzeler Karoo Street block-pattern tyres, a black-painted box-section swingarm and more.All of these combined, lend it a touring bike appeal with good off-road hardware in the form of long travel suspension, wire-spoke wheels, up-swept exhaust, comfy seating, relaxed ergonomics, and more. Not a lot is revealed by Honda, in terms of features and creature comforts.Powertrains, specs and launchLooks are on the handsome side. The overall bikini fairing is appealing and has integrated turn indicators like OG Sahara. Only, this time they’re LEDs. With design, the new Sahara draws inspiration from its flagship ADV, Africa Twin. Where specs are concerned, Honda XRE 300 Sahara might have comparable dimensions and wheelbase to regular XRE 300.As per powertrain, it looks similar to Honda Twister on sale in Brazil. In India, a similar engine is seen on CB300F which recently got a massive price cut. In the CB300F, this oil-cooled single-cylinder engine makes around 24 bhp and 25 Nm, mated to a 6-speed gearbox and slipper clutch.Honda has not revealed launch intentions in India. But we would reckon Honda XRE 300 Sahara would be a good bet for India. Considering the uproar in ADV segment around Rs. 2 lakh where TVS is likely to launch RR 310 based Apache RTX line. More

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    Hero Xoom 160 Trademarked In India – Debut Tomorrow, SUV Of 2W

    Hero Xoom 160 trademarked in IndiaAs opposed to current scooter lineup, Hero Xoom 160 is a stepping stone in Hero’s premium product history and will be unveiled tomorrowHero is going all-in with its premium range of 2W products, to be specifically sold in Premia dealerships. We saw the launch of Karizma XMR, 2023 Xpulse 200 4V Pro and now, the company is unveiling two new products at 2023 EICMA Show. A premium scooter tomorrow, and an ADV-style Hero Xoom 160 maxi scooter tomorrow. In a recent post, we covered Xude scooter, also to be unveiled alongside Xoom 160.Hero Xoom 160 Scooter Details TeasedRecently Hero teased its ADV-styled maxi scooter for the first time after patent designs leaked. Interestingly, Hero deleted its first teaser in favour of a new one that reveals some finer details of this upcoming scooter. For starters, the scooter wears XOOM and 160 badgings. So, that will be the name of Hero’s first non-step-through scooter, as confirmed by trademark filed.Trademark was filed just a week ago. So, launch timeline is further down the road, rather than in the immediate vicinity. For the first time, Hero is taking significant strides with its premium products portfolio. In scooters, Hero Xoom 160 will be the brand’s flagship. As seen in recent teaser, it has quite some kit too.Speaking of kit, Hero has teased quite a lot. For starters, the 160 number in Hero Xoom 160 is likely to denote its engine displacement number. So, the same engine as Xtreme 160R is likely. That said, Hero is providing some kind of active cooling for this engine with a radiator setup. This radiator is of different shape than Xtreme 160R’s owing to different packaging.Hero Xoom 160 active engine coolingThis squarish radiator can very well be a part of an oil cooling setup. Other than that, there are larger 14-inch wheels (not confirmed) wrapped with block-pattern dual-sport tyres, long travel suspension, non-step-through floorboard with fuel tank in the spine, a tall windscreen, and more.SUV of 2W vehicles?The modern TFT screen from Karizma XMR for instrumentation, twin-pod LED headlights, relaxed ergos for riders, a wide and accommodating seat, a luggage rack with an optional top box, keyless go and commanding road presence may be some of its key highlights. Hero calls Xoom 160 as “Champion of off-beat rides”.If there is a 2W company in India that knows a good deal about off-roading and rough-roading, rallying, trail riding, then it has to be Hero MotoCorp. With years of off-roading expertise, Hero is likely to tune the suspension of Xoom 160 perfectly.Hero Xoom 160 designEven though Hero has just teased this scooter, we can see some components and the overall fit and finish of this scooter, which might very well be the best from Hero MotoCorp till date. One doesn’t have to be a genius to realise that Hero is aiming for Yamaha Aerox 155. Probably even Honda’s ADV 160 in global markets.In India, Yamaha Aerox 155 enjoyed quite a niche for quite some time. Hero has arrived to crash the party. Currently, Yamaha Aerox 155 commands quite a premium at Rs. 1.47 lakh (ex-sh). Hero Xoom 160 might cost around Rs. 1.25 lakh (ex-sh).Hero Xoom 160 features More

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    Hero Xude Scooter Will Debut Tomorrow At 2023 EICMA Show

    Hero Xude Scooter Unveil TomorrowThe new Hero Xude scooter has been officially teased by the brand and is set to debut at 2023 EICMA Show alongside Hero’s ADV maxi scooterIndia’s largest 2W manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp, is expanding its already large portfolio to carve out a premium lineup. These will be sold at Hero’s new Premia dealerships. Where scooters are concerned, Hero will sell Vida range at Premia showrooms. Upcoming Xude and Hero’s new ADV maxi scooter will grace Premia dealership soon.Hero Xude Scooter – Xoom’s upmarket brother?After patenting the design in India, Hero Xude has been officially teased by Hero for the first time. At their official Instagram handle, Hero MotoCorp has revealed that it will unveil its newest “Ultimate Urban Commuter” tomorrow, at 2023 EICMA show alongside Hero’s upcoming ADV-style maxi scooter.The name Xude is in line with the newfound X-factor that Hero is shooting for. When we take into account patented design, it bears a lot of semblance to Xoom 110 scooter on sale in India. Sure, they’re not completely identical. That said, upcoming Xude is a lot more premium than Xoom 110.We say this because Hero’s recent teaser reveals a much sharper design attributes, in keeping with Xoom’s overall silhouette. At the front, there is a new apron along with new LED turn indicators, wider and sleeker LED headlights, and slightly distinct LED DRL signature. Panels beside front apron are sportier too.Hero Xude Scooter 110cc Engine LikelySide body panels have sharper character lines and creases that give it a more upmarket look. We hope it packs a better and more informative instrument cluster with Bluetooth, turn-by-turn navigation, music controls and more, to go along with “Ultimate Urban Commuter” tag. Maybe the same TFT unit as Karizma’s?Is it 125cc or the same 110cc as Xoom?The patent design shows presence of larger wheels than that of Xoom’s. For context, Xoom gets 12-inch wheels. So, 14-inch wheels are likely with Hero Xude scooter. Not just size, design of Xude’s wheels is far more upmarket too. This is still a step-through scooter and comes with a flat floorboard for practicality.As per powertrains, Hero Xude scooter is rumoured to get the larger 125cc engine from Destini and Maestro range. That said, we would suggest taking this with a pinch of salt. Because the engine casing and exhaust canister on upcoming Hero Xude scooter are looking identical to Hero’s 110 cc Xoom.New Hero Xude scooter design patent leaksThis 110.9 cc single-cylinder engine will develop around 8 bhp of peak power and 8.7 Nm of peak torque, mated to a CVT. No fancy equipment like liquid cooling, something that Hero’s upcoming ADV maxi scooter will get. In contrast, Hero’s 125cc engine has 9 bhp and 10.4 Nm.We would reckon Hero is targeting global markets with Xude scooter, where a premium 110cc scooter is currently in demand. We hope there is a 125cc version of this scooter in the future for India, because the looks are far more promising to rival the likes of TVS Ntorq 125. More

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    Two Wheeler Sales Oct 2023 – Hero, Honda, TVS, Bajaj, Suzuki, RE

    Bajaj PulsarTwo wheeler sales achieved a 21 percent growth in domestic markets while exports improved 2.55 percent YoYSales of major players in India’s two-wheeler segment, that include Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto, TVS Motor, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), Suzuki and Royal Enfield ended on a positive note in October 2023. An entry into the peak of the festive season saw the two wheeler segment report outstanding sales in October 2023. Sales of each of these leading 6 two wheeler makers in India improved by leaps and bounds on both a YoY basis in domestic markets. There was also a marginal YoY growth in total exports though MoM exports ended in the red.Two Wheeler Sales Oct 2023 – Hero MotoCorp tops listWith the 6 leading two wheeler makers reporting total domestic sales at 18,11,216 units in October 2023, it was a 20.99 percent YoY growth when compared to 14,97,021 units sold in October 2022. This was a volume growth of 3,14,195 units. MoM sales on the other hand improved by 8.28 percent from 16,72,653 units sold in September 2023 relating to a 1,38,563 unit volume growth.Two Wheeler Sales Oct 2023Once again it was Hero MotoCorp that topped the sales list with 5,59,766 unit sales last month. This was a 26.41 percent YoY growth over 4,42,825 units sold in October 2022 to command a 30.91 percent share on this list. MoM sales also grew significantly by 7.69 percent when compared to 5,19,789 units sold in September 2023. Hero MotoCorp had initiated sales of the new Harley Davidson X440 during the Navratri festival and delivered 1000 units across 100 dealerships in India.At No. 2 was Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) with sales of 4,62,747 units in the past month, up 8.63 percent when compared to 4,25,969 units sold in October 2022 to currently command a 25.55 percent share on this list. MoM sales however, dipped by 5.91 percent from 4,91,802 units sold in September 2023.Two Wheeler Sales Oct 2023Outstanding sales performance was seen in the case of TVS Motor with a 25.01 percent YoY and 14.80 percent MoM growth to 3,44,957 units. There were 2,75,934 units sold in October 2022 and 3,00,493 units sold in September 2023 to command a 19.05 percent share. It was the TVS iQube electric scooter that saw an impressive increase in demand along with the XL100 moped.Domestic sales of Bajaj Auto Limited also improved considerably by 35.10 percent YoY to 2,78,486 units in October 2023, up from 2,06,131 units sold in October 2022. This was a 72,355 unit volume growth with a 15.38 percent share. MoM sales performance was even better with a 37.52 percent improvement over 2,02,510 units sold in September 2023. It was the Bajaj Pulsar range that contributed most to company sales crossing the 1.61 lakh unit mark last month. Lower down the list, Suzuki (84,302 units) and Royal Enfield (80,958 units) both reported YoY and MoM growth in domestic sales.Bajaj Auto Commands 58% of Export ListIn international markets, exports stood at 2,70,294 units, up 2.55 percent YoY over 2,63,579 units sold in October 2022. MoM exports however, fell by 4.16 percent as against 2,82,027 units shipped in September 2023. Bajaj Auto reported a YoY decline in exports by 4.50 percent to 1,29,658 units, whereas the company had shipped 1,35,772 units in October 2022. Bajaj Auto currently commands a 47.97 percent share on the export list. MoM performance was somewhat better with a 3.56 percent growth over 1,25,202 units shipped in September 2023.Two Wheeler Sales Oct 2023TVS exports improved 10.13 percent YoY but fell 12.50 percent MoM to 75,653 units to command a 27.99 percent share on this list. The company exported 68,696 units and 86,462 units in October 2022 and September 2023 respectively. Honda exports also grew YoY by 28.67 percent but dipped 14.37 percent MoM to 30,137 units. Exports of Suzuki declined YoY by 11.08 percent to 16,205 units but grew by 14.62 percent MoM. Hero exports saw a 28.98 percent YoY growth to 15,164 units but fell 9.25 percent MoM while RE exports dipped significantly by 39.07 percent YoY and 19.50 percent MoM to 3,477 units.These domestic sales and exports saw two wheeler total sales at 20,81,510 units in October 2023 up 18.23 percent YoY and 6.49 percent MoM. There had been a total of 17,60,600 units sold in October 2022 and 19,54,680 units sold in September 2023. Hero MotoCorp headed the list with 5,74,930 units sold last month with a 26.47 percent YoY and 7.16 percent MoM growth. Honda total sales dipped 6.47 percent MoM to 4,92,884 units from 5,26,998 units sold in September 2023. TVS (4,20,610 units), Bajaj Auto (4,08,144 units), Suzuki (1,00,507 units) and RE (84,435 units) each posted a YoY and MoM growth in total sales. More

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    Royal Enfield Domestic Sales up 6% in Oct 2023 – Exports fall 39%

    New Royal Enfield Meteor 350Royal Enfield sold 84,435 motorcycles in October 2023 while exports declined to 3,477 units during the same monthRoyal Enfield sales in October 2023 increased both on a YoY and MoM basis and across its bikes in the sub-350cc and above-350cc categories. Sales ended positively in domestic markets though exports dipped both YoY and MoM.Royal Enfield YoY Sales Growth in October 2023Royal Enfield total sales (domestic + exports) stood at 84,435 units in October 2023. This was a 2.68 percent YoY growth over 82,235 units sold in October 2022 relating to a volume growth of 2,200 units. There was a growth in domestic sales by 5.79 percent to 80,958 units, up from 76,528 units sold in October 2022 with a 95.88 percent share while exports fell by 39.07 percent to 3,477 units from 5,707 units shipped in October 2022.Royal Enfield Sales Oct 2023Greater demand was seen in the case of RE bikes in the sub 350cc segment, sales of which grew by 1.67 percent YoY to 76,075 units in October 2023 up from 74,828 units sold in October 2022. Bikes in the above 350cc segment also posted a 12.87 percent YoY growth to 8,360 units, up from 7,407 units sold in October 2022.On a month-on-month (MoM) basis, RE sales grew by 7.45 percent over 78,580 units sold in September 2023. Here again, there was growth across domestic sales to the tune of 9.02 percent from 74,261 units sold in September 2023, while exports fell 19.50 percent from 4,319 units shipped in September 2023. Sales of the under 350cc bikes improved by 8.15 percent MoM while it was a 1.52 percent growth in case of bikes in the above 350cc segment.Royal Enfield Year-to-Date Sales FY24 Vs FY23In terms of fiscal year-to-date sales for the current financial year (FY24 YTD), Royal Enfield showed strong growth compared to the same period in previous year (FY23). In the FY2024 period, RE sales grew to 5,41,421 units, up 13.46 percent over 4,77,204 units sold in the same period of FY23. This was a volume growth of 64,217 units.Sales of sub-350cc bikes which include the likes of Classic 350, Hunter 350, Meteor 350 and the new 2023 Bullet 350, stood at 4,82,271 units, up 16.66 percent over 4,13,410 units sold in FY23. Bikes in the more powerful segment that include the Himalayan 411, Scram 411, Super Meteor 650, Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650, witnessed a decline of 7.28 percent to 59,150 units in FY24 from 63,794 units sold in FY23.Domestic sales stood at 4,97,845 units in the FY24 period with a 19.32 percent growth over 4,17,237 units sold in FY23. The company’s performance in export markets ended in the red as numbers fell 27.33 percent to 43,576 units in FY24 from 59,967 units sold in FY23.The company has just revealed details of its new Himalayan 450 ahead of its official launch this month. Existing Himalayan 411 will be discontinued. The new Himalayan 450 will rival the recently launched Triumph Scrambler 400X, upcoming KTM 390 Adventure, 390 Enduro and Hero Xpulse 440. More

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    Hero ADV Maxi Scooter To Be Unveiled At 2023 EICMA Alongside Vida V1

    Hero ADV Maxi Scooter to be unveiled at 2023 EICMA alongside Vida V1 ProThere is a small probability of Hero ADV maxi scooter getting Xtreme 160R 4V’s 163.2cc oil-cooled engine, detuned to make 15 bhp and 14 NmIndia’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp, seems to be eyeing India’s premium scooter market. Hero is taking decent strides in that regard by working on two new premium scooters that have been patented and one spotted testing. However, there’s more to the story as Hero is teasing three scooters to be unveiled at 2023 EICMA show.Hero Unveiling Three Scooters At 2023 EICMAThe prospect of a new ADV maxi scooter from Hero MotoCorp is enticing. The other two scooters flanking this new vehicle in Hero’s latest teaser are Vida V1 with a single seat and twin seat layouts. This is a clear indication that Hero is taking Vida V1 Pro global, eyeing multiple markets.As of now, Hero Vida V1 Pro electric scooter is offered with a twin removable battery setup boasting a multitude of features and creature comforts. In total Vida V1 Pro packs a 3.94 kWh battery (combined) promising 110 km of real-world range and a top speed of 80 km/h.Customisable DIY seating, a 7-inch TFT display, LED projector headlights, and DC fast charging are some of its highlight features. Creature comforts include keyless start and go, cruise control, 2-way intelligent throttle, multiple ride modes with a custom setting and others.Hero Vida V1 Electric ScooterHero ADV maxi scooter – The star of the showApart from the two Vida V1 Pro scooters in the teaser above, Hero is also showcasing an ADV style maxi scooter. The company has already patented this design in India. Looking at it from the front alongside Vida scooters, it looks massive and makes its presence known.There is a tall windscreen too, that adds to visual drama of this machine and offers some level of wind protection. Going by recent windscreens by Hero, this one is likely to be adjustable too, by a small margin. We can see a dual headlight setup that wouldn’t look out of place on a big bike.Design patents reveal a tiny beak-like element too, amplifying its ADV roots more. Wheels look like they are 14 inches in size, contributing to the overall stance. Front suspension is in the form of RSU telescopic forks and seems to be long-travel ones. Rear gets a twin shock absorber setup. The swingarm-mounted engine looks unlike any other Hero scooter.Hero maxi scooter patantedYamaha Aerox 155 RivalThis leads to speculations suggesting Hero ADV maxi scooter may get Xtreme 160R 4V’s single-cylinder unit displacing 163.2cc and boasts a 4V head and active oil cooling. Performance figures of around 15 bhp and 14 Nm are sufficient, a slight detune from Xtreme 160R 4V’s setup. This way, Hero can take on Yamaha Aerox 155, enjoying quite a niche.When launched, it will be Hero’s first non-step-through scooter in modern times. There will be a center spine that could house scooter’s fuel tank, liberating quite a lot of space in under-seat storage. If priced around Rs. 1.2 lakh (ex-sh), it will undercut Yamaha Aerox 155 by up to Rs. 27,000 and will be sold at Hero’s new Premia dealerships. More

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    Honda 2W October 2023 Sales – Breaking Down the Numbers

    New Honda ActivaHonda 2W October 2023 Sales Report – Diving into the NumbersIn October 2023, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) displayed robust performance in the two-wheeler market. And as expected, reported steady sales for their 2W range.In terms of domestic sales, Honda 2W reported 4,62,747 units sold in October 2023. Comparing this to the previous year, there was a notable increase of 36,778 units. Representing an impressive 8.63 percent year-on-year (YoY) growth. This surge further solidified domestic dominance, which captured a substantial 93.89. percent share of total sales.Honda 2W sales Oct 2023Honda 2W’s Global Reach in October 2023On the international front, Honda 2W’s export numbers improved. They exported 30,137 units in October 2023, marking a substantial increase of 6,715 units compared to October 2022, reflecting 28.67 percent YoY growth. An expanding global reach, which contributed to 6.11 percent share of total HMSI sales.Summing up the domestic and international figures, total sales for Honda 2W in October 2023 stood at 4,92,884 units, a significant year-on-year growth of 9.68 percent. These larger than life numbers underscore their position as an industry leader in scooter sales.Honda 2W vs. September 2023: Sales ShowdownWhen it comes to month-on-month performance, it’s essential to note that Honda 2W reported a slight dip in domestic sales from September 2023. This stood at a difference of -29,055 units, equivalent to a -5.91 percent month-on-month (MoM) decline. Sales fell from 4,91,802 units. On the export front, they encountered a -14.37% MoM decrease, exporting 5,059 units fewer than the previous month, totalling 30,137 units.Honda 2W reported a total sales figure of 4,92,884 units in October 2023, with a -6.47 percent MoM decline. Mainly due to the domestic market’s performance. Total MoM sales fell from 5,26,998 units. Nonetheless, they continue to exhibit a strong market share, maintaining their position as a robust and reliable player in the two-wheeler industry. More