Hero MotoCorp

Image – Biker Babu Bike hunterHero Splendor and HF Deluxe remained top-selling models in both domestic and exports
The second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has been extremely disastrous not just healthwise but also financially since businesses across the country came to a standstill once again very much similar to last year around the same time. The auto industry of the country too had to bear the brunt last month when sales plummeted drastically.
Domestic- Splendor, HF Deluxe Lead sales figures
Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler company, witnessed a decline in MoM sales by 37.04 percent in April 2021. The manufacturer was able to sell a total of 3,42,704 units of two-wheelers which is 2,01,836 units less than what was sold the previous month in March.
The list was spearheaded by the brand’s most popular product- Splendor which recorded a sales volume of 1,93,598 units last month as opposed to 2,80,090 units retailed in March this year. This resulted in a decline in MoM sales by 30.88 percent.
It was followed by another entry-level motorcycle HF Deluxe which registered a sales volume of 71,294 units in April. A decline in figure by 73,511 units translated to a negative MoM growth of 50.66 percent.
Hero Domestic Sales Breakup April 2021
Others too register MoM decline
Glamour took third place with 23,627 units in April 2021 as compared to 32,371 units sold the previous month, thus registering an MoM decline of 27.01 percent. Hero’s most popular scooter Pleasure registered sales of 18,298 units last month which was 10,218 units less than the previous month. It recorded degrowth of 35.83 percent. It was followed by Passion at the fifth spot with 17,748 units sold in April. In March, the figures for the 110cc motorcycle stood at 30,464, therefore, recording an MoM decline of 41.74 percent.
Destini (9,121 units), Maestro Edge (4,680 units), Xtreme 160R (2,293 units) and Xpulse 200 (2,045 units) formed the rest of the range for Hero’s domestic portfolio. All two-wheelers recorded negative MoM growths of 35.05 percent, 41.54 percent, 40.29 percent and 17.71 percent.
Exports
Things weren’t too pleasing for overseas markets as exports were hit badly due to disruption in production. A total of 29,671 two-wheelers were shipped to foreign markets in April this year by Hero MotoCorp.
Hero Exports Breakup April 2021
In comparison to March 2021, these numbers were less by 2,946 units which resulted in a MoM decline of 9.03 percent. HF Deluxe spearheaded the exports for April with 8,716 units dispatched to overseas markets. With 375 units less than March 2021, it translated to degrowth of 4.12 percent.
HF Deluxe was followed by Splendor which registered exports of 5,194 units in April against 7,106 units dispatched in March. This resulted in a negative MoM growth of 26.91 percent. All models, barring Xpulse 200 and Glamour, recorded a decline in exports. Hero shipped 3,026 units and 3,012 units of both motorcycles, therefore, registering positive MoM growths of 27.41 percent and 219.75 percent. More

Gogoro Electric ScooterBesides Gogoro, Hero MotoCorp is also looking to develop its own range of electric two-wheelers starting with an electrified version of Maestro Edge
As mentioned in our previous report, Hero MotoCorp has been planning to launch its own dedicated lineup of EVs and recently announced a major partnership with Taiwanese EV brand Gogoro. Apparently, the Indian bikemaker will seek the expertise of Gogoro in battery swapping technology and could also launch a couple of its rebadged models in India.
In the latest development, it has come to light that Gogoro has filed patents for its Viva electric scooter in India. These trademarks are in the form of both its design as well as its name. This e-scooter could be launched and marketed in India under Hero MotoCorp’s dealerships under the Indian company’s dedicated brand of electric two-wheelers.
Gogoro Electric Scooter
The trademark application dates back a few months, hence it can be concluded that plans of launching an EV have been on Hero’s mind for a long time now. Due to a family pact with Hero Electric, Hero MotoCorp would have to launch its electric two-wheelers under a separate brand name so as not to create confusion. The new brand name will be revealed ahead of its first electric two-wheeler launch.
Powertrain Specs
Coming back to Gogoro Viva, it looks like a cute little scooter that weighs a meagre 80 kilos including the battery pack and motor. It is offered in two variants- basic and keyless and is powered by a motor that produces 3kW (4 bhp) of power and 115 Nm of peak torque.
Gogoro Electric Scooter
When driven at a consistent speed of 30kmph it can deliver a range of 85km on a single charge. The India-spec model is expected to be offered with the same specifications while its launch is slated to take place sometime in 2022.
Features on offers
Notable features on offer include a quirky design, Synchronized Braking System (SBS), smart sensors, all-LED lighting, iQ System Smart Keycard, USB charging port, fixed step bar and a digital instrument console with an LCD negative display with backlight. The top-spec trim gets additional smartphone connectivity and a keyless go feature. It gets a 21.6-litre under-seat storage capacity.
Other Mechanical details
Hardware configurations of the electric scooter comprise telescopic forks at front and dual rear shocks at rear. The scooter rides on 10-inch alloy wheels which are shod by 90/90-section rubber at front and 100/90-section tyre at the rear.
Stopping duties are carried out by 180mm disc brakes at both front and rear ends. In terms of dimensions, Viva measures 1,680mm in length, 630mm in width and 1,050mm in height while it offers a wheelbase of 1,164mm. The saddle is pegged at a very accessible height of 740mm. More

Hero Maestro Electric Scooter. Credit – 91 WheelsHero MotoCorp will rival the likes of Bajaj, TVS, Ather, Okinawa and other electric two-wheeler manufacturers in India
While Hero MotoCorp is undoubtedly the largest two-wheeler manufacturer in the world, it is yet to actively venture into electric mobility like its immediate rivals Bajaj Auto and TVS MotoCorp (no Hero Electric is a separate entity altogether). Even though company chairman Pawan Munjal has invested heavily in Ather Energy, a brand like Hero with so many resources is bound to have an electric lineup of its own.
The two-wheeler manufacturer has now announced that it will launch its first electric product by the end of the fiscal year of FY2021-22, which means between January and March next year. The development was confirmed by company CFO, Niranjan Gupta, in an interaction with a leading business news website.
Partnership With Gogoro
The brand is currently working on developing both fixed-battery and swappable battery EVs. The latter type is being developed in association with Hero MotoCorp’s Taiwanese partner Gogoro. The electric scooters and motorcycles will make use of Gogoro’s technology and will be sold and marketed by Hero. In fact, in addition to its own models, Hero MotoCorp could also launch rebadged Gogoro scooters although nothing is confirmed as of now.
Due to a family pact with Hero Electric, Hero MotoCorp would have to launch its electric two-wheelers under a separate brand name so as not to create confusion. This new brand name will be announced close to the launch of its first electric two-wheeler. Maybe we could get a sneak peek into the upcoming brands at the AutoExpo scheduled for February 2022 (if it were to happen).
Gogoro Electric Scooter
Electric Maestro Edge
Hero’s first electric two-wheeler is expected to be based on Maestro Edge which has also been spotted testing on a couple of occasions a few months back. The e-scooter is currently being developed at the company’s R&D centre in Jaipur (CIT). A prototype of the e-scooter made its first public appearance at the Hero World event last year.
On first glance, the electric scooter looks very similar to its IC engine-powered counterpart. However, on a closer look, one can notice subtle cosmetic variations. For instance, the biggest difference is the absence of an exhaust setup complemented by contrasting gold-coloured alloy wheels and front forks. Other styling elements included a smoked LED headlamp and blacked-out visor and rearview mirrors.
The bikemaker is still tight-lipped about the e-scooter’s specifications regarding its powertrain although it is expected to utilise a belt-driven motor. As far as features go, it is expected to be offered with three ride modes including drive, park and reverse which could be controlled from the left-hand side switchgear.
The fully digital instrument cluster from the petrol-powered scooter is expected to be carried forward in this electric iteration. Other features likely to be on offer include keyless start/stop and internet connectivity.
SOURCE More

Honda ActivaHonda 2Wheelers reports total (domestic wholesales and exports) sales in April 2021 at 2,83,045 units
The market is a strange place now. In a most astounding fashion, Bajaj has surpassed Honda Two Wheelers total sales in April 2021. This is on account of notable growth in exports for Bajaj.
Total sales stood at just below 3.5 lakh units. Honda Two Wheelers sold a total of 2,83,045 units. MoM decline stood at 31.14 percent, down from 4,11,037 units. Volume decline stood at 1,27,992 units. Best sellers include Activa, CB Shine, Dio, Grazia, Unicorn, Dream, Hornet, etc. CB350 too recorded decent sales.
Honda Sales April 2021
Of this, domestic sales stood at 2,40,100 units. MoM decline stood at 39.22 percent, down from 3,95,037 units. Volume decline stood at 1,54,937 units. Exports for the month are reported at 42,945 units. MoM growth was reported at 3 figures, up from 16k units. Volume gain stood at 26,945 units.
Temp production halt
Disruption in production, processes, supply chain, and distribution networks is a matter that manufacturers are having to deal with on a daily basis. Through April 2021, Covid-19 infection numbers being reported have continued to touch new highs.
This in turn has prompted states to announce curated lockdowns yet again. This is not too different from what auto manufacturers experienced in April 2021 when manufacturing and sales had come to an absolute halt.
And given the current need to proritise on safety, and save lives, a number of manufacturers have announced a production halt for a varying number of days. Starting on Labour Day, Honda Two-Wheelers has temporarily halted production until May 15, 2021. The shutdown will be used effectively to advance annual maintenance schedules.
Decisions in regard to resuming production will be made in accordance with the what the Covid-19 situation looks like in a fortnight. For now, those who can work from home are doing so, and only essential staff is being called in to work at the company’s plants, and offices.
HMSI scope
On the global front, Honda is working on electric motorcycles and scooters. Given the potential India supposedly has, one could expect a Honda electric scooter to be a first product from the brand here.
Honda Two Wheelers India plays an important part in Honda’s global strategy. For one, Honda has a large marketshare in India. And in the last two decades, it has expanded its global footprint from here through exports. Last year with the introduction of CB350, HMSI has chalked out a new path to make inroads.
For one, this is a sizeable segment in India with rather few competitors where brands are concerned. It’s more like Royal Enfield pitting its bikes against each other. And Honda has finally put it’s foot through the door. It’s 350cc range isn’t just being sold here, but is also being exported. More

Image – Indian IdentityHero MotoCorp sees subdued sales in April 2021 owing to temp closure of plant ops, and closure of dealerships across regions

As Covid-19 infections continue to reach new highs in India, the auto industry is blighted by its spread. Depending on strategies to arrest growth, in recent week many a state government has issued lockdown orders.
This apart, manufacturers are dealing with shortage of parts and interrupted supply chains. While the market hasn’t completely shutdown as was the case in April 2020, current challenges are many.
In this atmosphere of uncertainty, Hero MotoCorp has reported domestic wholesales at 3,42,614 units. The auto manufacturer has also extended plant closures by 6 days to arrest the spread of Covid-19. Operations will be resumed on May 10, 2021. Including exports, total sales in April 2021 is reported at 3,72,285 units. MoM decline stood at 35.47 percent, down from 5,76,957 units. Volume decline is reported at just over 2 lakh units.
Sales in April 2021
Of total sales, motorcycles sales in the domestic market continues to lead from the front. Wholesales was reported at 3,39,329 units accounting for 91.15 percent of domestic sales. MoM decline stood at 35.32 percent, down from 5,24,608 units. Volume loss stood at 1,85,279 units.
Hero MotoCorp Sales April 2021
Scooter sales is reported at 32,956 units accounting for the remainder of domestic sales. MoM decline stood at 37.05 percent, down from 52,349 units. Volume loss stood at 19,393 units. Exports are reported at 29,671 units, accounting for 7.97 percent of total sales. MoM decline is reported at 9 percent, down from 32,617 units at volume loss at just under 3k units.
Hero says sales in April ’21 was subdued owing to temporary closure of plant ops, and the fact that retail outlets remain have again been shut across many regions. These are state issued orders planned to stop the spread of the current devastation of the pandemic. As manufacturing and dealer dispatches remained shut in April 2020, there is no comparable YoY data for manufacturers for April 2021.
Hero extends closure at plants
Hero is committed to safety and has stopped work at its manufacturing facilities in IndiaIndia, its Global Parts Center (GPC) in Neemrana, and the R&D facility – the Centre of Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur till May 9, 2021. Plant ops will resume on May 10th.
All corporate offices are on Work from Home (WFH) mode, and personnel that are required to visit office are doing so on a limited and rotational basis. The situation is being monitored continuously, and Hero MotoCorp aims to compensate for production loss during the remainder of the quarter. More

Hero SplendorHero MotoCorp domestic wholesales and exports growth reported for March 2021
March 2021 saw Hero MotoCorp report total wholesales at over 5 lakh units. The feat is no ordinary one, and the manufacturer was able to hit the target multiple times through FY21. More than half of its domestic sales cam from Hero Splendor.
Sales is reported at 2.8 lakh units, up from 1,43,736 units YoY. Volume gain stood at 1,36,354 units. HF Deluxe contributed to a little over 26 percent in sales. Sales is reported at 1,44,505 units, up from 1,14,969 units. Volume gain stood at a little below 30k units at growth of 25.69 percent.
Hero MotoCorp has a strong grip on the mass market commuter motorcycle market, and this is demonstrated through the sheer volume of its leading two-wheeler lineup. The manufacturer also sells a small number of scooters. While the bulk of its monthly sales is contributed by the success of Splendor and HF Deluxe, the remainder of its motorcycles and scooters make up for the remainder of its sales.
Glamour, Passion and Pleasure sales
Hero Glamour, Passion, and Pleasure sales accounted for about 91k units. Glamour sales was up at 32,371 units, up from 12,713 units. Volume gain stood at almost 20k units to account for about 6 percent of domestic sales.
Hero Domestic Sales – March 2021
Passion sales grew to just over 30k units from just under 18k units. Volume gain is reported at 12,527 units. It’s share in total sales was also pegged at just under 6 percent. Pleasure scooter sales grew to 28,516 units, up from 13,898 units at volume gain of 14,618 units.
Destini 125 sales crossed the 14k units mark from a little under 10k units. YoY sales growth stood at 47.47 percent at volume gain of 4.5k units. Maestro sales reached 8k units, up from 3.5k units. Volume gain stood at 4,467 units.
Xtreme 160R sales stood at 3,840 units. And XPulse 200 sales at 2,485 units. In total, domestic wholesales grew to 5,44,340 units at 12.37 percent YoY growth. Volume gain stood at about 60k units, up from 4,84,433 units.
Hero Exports – March 2021
Hero MotoCorp March 2021 exports
While Hero MotoCorp enjoys great market prominence in India, exports are seemingly low as compared to its closest competitors. This sees Bajaj and TVS enjoy far more volumes in exports though domestic sales remains lower than Hero MotoCorp. HF Deluxe rules the export log at just over 9k units.
The manufacturer’s biggest volume product Splendor sees exports at 7,106 units. Achiever exports are reported at 4,573 units, and that of Xtreme 150 at 3,319 units. Hunk exports fell to 2,375 units. Pulse 200 exports grew to 2,375 units. The remainder of the export wagon saw numbers below 1,000 units each. Exports for the month grew to 32,617, up from 21,034 units at volume gain of 11,583 units. More

Gogoro Electric ScooterHero MotoCorp and Gogoro announce strategic partnership to develop vehicles and use an established battery swapping network
Hero MotoCorp and Gogoro Inc. are embarking on a strategic partnership. Focus lays on accelerating the shift to sustainable electric mobility in India. Gogoro is reputed for urban battery swapping and smart mobility innovation.
The development is headed towards a battery swapping joint venture. This will introduce Gogoro’s battery swapping platform to India. The collaboration will work on electric vehicle development to bring Hero-branded, powered by Gogoro Network vehicles to the fore.
Gogoro Electric Scooter swappable battery
Gogoro Network already caters to 3,75,000 riders and 2,000 battery swapping stations. This accounts for 2,65,000 daily battery swaps. To date, the company has undertaken upward of 174 million battery swaps. Gogoro is a Taiwan based company, a nation with a $100bn semiconductor industry. The country churns out the majority of advanced microchips too.
Gogoro Network battery swapping
The Gogoro Network battery swapping open platform succeeds on the back of connectivity, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The end result is a smart swappable battery refuelling platform that is scalable, and is continually being developed to cater to wider needs.
Gogoro Electric Scooter swappable battery
Gogoro’s vehicle maker partners go on to access the company’s smart innovations and IP. This includes intelligent drivetrains and controllers, components and smart systems. The end product is a plethora of electric vehicles that are compatible with Gogoro Network battery swapping.
Gogoro Electric Scooter
To be fair, Hero MotoCorp has seen unprecedented success in the domestic two wheeler market. And this means the company is sitting at the cusp of great development when the next gen of new age vehicles become a mainstream affair. The future is electric. And when electric adaption becomes large scale, Hero MotoCorp will want to lead from the front. Its grip on the market is widespread, and in time, its network will simply shift to being an electric one.
Ather Energy, Gogoro – What Next?
Hero MotoCorp is also associated with Ather Energy, a fairly new electric startup. One can expect multiple such smart partnerships and collaborations as Hero lays the groundwork for its big electric transformation.
Gogoro Electric Scooter
As demand is generated, mega e-commerce companies are committed to using electric vehicles as part of their fleets. Ola electric is already vying for top spot in the area working at breakneck speed to ready its plant in India. Hero would very much like to be available with a range of products considering demand in the commercial space is already growing.
Pawan Munjal, Chairman and CEO, Hero MotoCorp, said, “Our strategic partnership with Gogoro is in line with our Vision – ‘Be the Future of Mobility’ which we are bringing alive through our Mission to ‘Create, Collaborate & Inspire’. Today marks another major milestone in our journey, as we bring Hero’s leadership in two-wheelers, our Global scale and innovation powerhouse, with the leadership of Gogoro in Swapping business model, as they have demonstrated over the years in Taiwan and rest of the world.” More