Honda Bikes

Honda X-Blade Discontinued?When compared to 150cc to 160cc Apache, Pulsar, FZ, Gixxer and MT offerings, Honda X-Blade didn’t achieve the sales prospect to stay afloat
With the likes of Activa and Dio, Honda has been India’s 2nd best-selling 2W brand. However, Honda’s volumes are primarily from their scooters and budget commuters. Where 160cc premium motorcycles are concerned, Honda offered X-Blade, which has been now delisted from the official website. Let’s take a look.
Honda X-Blade Discontinued?
In India, the premium 150cc to 160cc motorcycle market is quite competitive. It has contenders like Pulsar NS160 and N160 from Bajaj, Apache RTR 160 2V and Apache RTR 160 4V, FZ, FZ-X and MT-15 from Yamaha, Gixxer 150 and Gixxer SF 150 from Suzuki, Xtreme 160R 2V and Xtreme 160R 4V from Hero and the likes.
Honda X-Blade offered sharp styling and edgy design language, which should have been an instant hit with young audience. However, X-Blade couldn’t make a significant impact on the Indian market as Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India would have hoped.
After recording unimpressive sales for a long time, Honda India seems to have discontinued it. The motorcycle is delisted from Honda’s official website for Indian market. This could either be a sign of discontinuation or a temporary thing.
Honda X-Blade Discontinued
The possibility of it being discontinued is higher, considering its sales performance over the months. If this is not a temporary thing and the delisting on the website is a permanent discontinuation, there will be hefty discounts on existing X-Blade units in the dealer’s stock.
Honda 2W dealerships will continue to sell X-Blade motorcycles until stocks last. There were four exciting colours on sale – Matte Marvel Blue Metallic, Matte Steel Black Metallic, Strontium Silver Metallic and Sports Red. Within Honda’s lineup, there are other 160cc offerings like Unicorn 160 and SP160, both of which are not positioned at a premium level as X-Blade.
What did it offer?
Honda X-Blade came with a 162.71cc single-cylinder air cooled petrol engine with 13.67 bhp of peak power and 14.7 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Honda X-Blade offered a Robo-faced LED headlight setup, Razor edged tail light setup, and a fully digital instrument cluster featuring gear positioning indicator.
RSU telescopic front forks, rear mono-shock unit, front and rear disc (petal disc) brake option with single-channel ABS, 130-section rear tyre wrapped on 17-inch alloy wheel, engine stop/start switch, hazard light and a dual-nozzle exhaust canister. With X-Blade out of the picture, it is yet to be confirmed whether Honda will announce a replacement or completely forfeit the premium 160cc segment. More

New Honda ActivaHonda sales August 2024 – Home Advantage: Honda’s Solid Grip on Indian Market
HMSI reports increase in total sales for August 2024. Total sales reached 5,38,852 units, marking 13 percent year-on-year growth from 4,77,590 units in August 2023. Month-on-month growth from July 2024 to August 2024 stood at 11.54 percent. These figures demonstrate a steady performance in both domestic and export markets, reflecting HMSI’s effective strategies and market positioning.
Domestic sales for HMSI in August 2024 amounted to 4,91,678 units, up from 4,51,200 units in August 2023. This increase represents a 9 percent year-on-year growth. On a month-on-month basis, there was an 11.97 percent increase from July 2024. The domestic market continues to be a stronghold for HMSI, contributing just over 90 percent of total sales in August 2024. This performance indicates strong demand for Honda motorcycles and scooters across India. Undoubtedly led by the success of an ever triumphant Activa.
Honda Sales August 2024 – HMSI domestic sales, exports
Honda’s Export Play: 79 percent Leap Forward in August 2024
Export sales have shown significant growth in August 2024, with 47,174 units sold compared to 26,390 units in August 2023. This growth represents a substantial 79 percent year-on-year increase, indicating a rising demand for HMSI’s products in international markets. Month-on-month growth was observed at 7.26 percent from July 2024. The export market share for HMSI stood at about 9 percent in August 2024, reflecting a strategic expansion beyond the domestic market.
From April to August 2024, HMSI reported domestic sales of 23,45,028 units, compared to 17,14,256 units during the same period in 2023. This reflects 36.80 percent growth in year-to-date domestic sales. For exports, HMSI sold 2,29,716 units from April to August 2024, up from 1,29,877 units in the previous year, indicating 76.87 percent increase. Overall, year-to-date total sales have grown by 39.62 percent, reaching 25,74,744 units in 2024 compared to 18,44,133 units in 2023.
Honda Sales august 2024 – HMSI Domestic sales, Exports, YoY, MoM, YTD
Honda’s Indian Stronghold: The Two-Wheeler Titan
Several factors have contributed to the substantial growth in HMSI’s export sales. Expanding into new international markets, coupled with diverse product availability and competitive pricing, has boosted demand. Moreover, HMSI’s focus on product quality and meeting global standards strengthens its presence in the export market, reflecting positively in the sales figures.
The domestic market remains a critical segment for HMSI, with a market share that dominates. This dominance is driven by consistent demand for two-wheelers in India, supported by HMSI’s extensive dealer network and diverse product range. Additionally, consumer preference for reliable and fuel-efficient vehicles bolsters sales, across market types.
Honda’s New Frontier: Export Expansion in 2024
HMSI’s export market strategy focuses on tapping into emerging markets with a growing appetite for two-wheelers. By tailoring products to meet regional preferences and regulatory requirements, HMSI has been able to penetrate new markets effectively. This approach has resulted in a notable increase in export sales, contributing significantly to overall growth.
HMSI’s sales strategies have been instrumental in achieving the reported growth. A combination of effective marketing, strategic product development, and product innovation has helped HMSI maintain its competitive edge. These efforts have not only enhanced brand visibility but also increased customer trust and loyalty, driving higher sales volumes.
Sales: Seasonal Trends or Strategic Wins?
The month-on-month sales growth of 11.54 percent from July to August 2024 reflects positive market sentiment this quarter. Seasonal factors, campaigns, and festive season enthusiasm have likely contributed to this uptick in sales. This trend suggests a favourable outlook for the remainder of the year, with potential for continued growth in both domestic and export markets.
The year-on-year growth of 13 percent in total sales for August 2024 indicates a steady upward trajectory for HMSI. Both domestic and export segments have shown considerable gains, highlighting the success of HMSI’s market strategies. Continued focus on expanding market reach and enhancing product offerings is expected to sustain this growth momentum.
Honda vs. Hero: A Tight Race in Domestic Sales
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India’s performance in August 2024 reflects a balanced growth approach across domestic and export markets. The company’s ability to adapt to market dynamics and consumer preferences has been key to its success, positioning it well for future growth.
On the domestic front, Honda’s closest competitor is its erstwhile partner, Hero MotoCorp. And their domestic sales of 4,92,263 units was just enough to outsell HMSI by 585 units. For now, Honda leads the domestic YTD FY25 sales, having sold slightly more than Hero’s numbers at 23,23,960 units. More

New Honda ActivaHonda 2W sales improved by 41.25% YoY with the Activa and Shine 125 commanding a 76% of total sales
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), received overwhelming response from buyers in the past month and has even overtaken Hero MotoCorp in two wheeler sales in July 2024. Honda 2W sales in July 2024 accounted for 4.39 lakh units while Hero sold a total of 3.47 lakh units in domestic markets. This was for the first time that Honda’s domestic sales surpassed that of Hero MotoCorp.
Honda 2W Sales YoY Comparison – July 2024
Honda 2W sales stood at 4,39,118 units in July 2024, up by a substantial 41.25% over sales of 3,10,872 units sold in July 2023. It had a volume growth of 1,28,246 units. Strong gains were seen across the company portfolio with only the Unicorn and Hness 350 in the negative.
Honda Sales Breakup July 2024 – YoY Comparison
Commanding a No. 1 position was once again the Honda Activa with 1,95,604 units sold in the past month, a 44.54% YoY growth over 1,35,327 units sold in July 2023. Currently commanding a 44.54% market share, the Honda Activa was also the 2nd best-selling two wheeler in India after the Hero Splendor. Honda Shine also saw a 66.88% YoY improvement in sales to 1,40,590 units, up from 84,246 units in July 2023 and also made its way to No.3 on the top 10 best-selling two wheeler charts.
Honda Dio (Dio + Dio 125) was also a hot favourite with a 16.04% YoY improvement in sales to 33,472 units last month over 28,845 units sold in July 2023. The Dio currently commands a 7.62% share in the company portfolio. Unicorn sales dipped 33.47% YoY to 26,690 units. There had been 40,119 units of this commuter motorcycle sold in July 2023 relating to a 13,429 unit decline in volumes. It was the Shine 100 that displayed improved sales by 21.17% YoY to 22,812 units while relatively new entrants into the company portfolio also added significant numbers. These included the Dream (6,550 units), SP160 (5,414 units), and Livo (3,670 units).
Honda Sales Breakup July 2024 – MoM Comparison
Honda Hness 350 sales dipped 62.55% to 1,314 units while the sales list also included the Hornet (1,278 units). The company’s CB range also reported good sales with CB350 (1,011 units), CB200X (544 units), CB300 (145 units) along with the CB750 (18 units). Trailing the list was the GL1800 of which 6 units were sold last month.
Honda 2W Sales MoM Comparison – July 2024
Taking into account month-on-month (MoM) sales, Honda reported a 9.01% decline. There had been 4,82,597 units sold in June 2024 which fell to 4,39,118 units in the past month. Most models have seen sales dip significantly with the exception of the Shine 125, Dio scooter and CB200X that saw some positivity.
Activa sales dipped 16.19% over 2,33,376 units sold in June 2024 while Shine 125 and Dio experienced a marginal 0.72% and 2.73% growth. Decreased sales were reported by the Unicorn with a 0.23% decline over 26,751 units sold in June 2024. Shine 100 also slipped by 1.19% from 23,087 units and Dream sales were down 9.46% from 7,234 units sold in June 2024. Double-digit percentage decline in sales was also reported for the SP160 which dipped 23.93% while Livo sales were down 47.85% and Hness 350 and Hornet 2.0 suffered a 27.28% and 38.56% YoY decline respectively.
In the CB range, while sales of Honda CB350 fell by 12.92% MoM from 1,161 units sold in June 2024, sales of CB200X improved by 16.74% but CB300 again suffered a 49.48% MoM decline. The XL750 had 18 units sold in July 2024 from 22 units sold in June 2024 relating to an 18.18% MoM de-growth. Honda GL1800 added 6 numbers to total sales. More

Honda CGX 150 (Baby CB350) DebutsAfter launch in China, the Honda CGX 150 will also be considered for multiple international marketsAhead of its expected official unveiling next month in September, some images of the Honda CGX 150 have been presented online. The retro bike will be manufactured at Wuyang-Honda in China. A total of three variants of Honda CGX 150 will be available for sale.Honda CGX 150 – Engine, specsUpcoming Honda CGX 150 is based on the smaller sibling, the classic Wuyang Honda CG 125. Although Honda CGX 150 uses a higher capacity 149cc engine, the engine architecture is the same as the smaller 125cc engine.Honda CGX 150 (Baby CB350) DebutsThe air-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder unit generates 12 hp. The bike is expected to be offered with a 5-speed gearbox. Top-speed could be around 98 km/H. It is possible that Honda may also introduce a 125cc model of the CGX at a later date.Honda CGX 150 utilizes 17-inch wire spoke wheels at both ends, shod with dual-purpose knobby tyres. The front and rear tyres measure 90/90-17 and 110/80-17, respectively. Both ends have disc brakes and front ABS is offered as standard.Honda CGX 150 (Baby CB350) DebutsSuspension setup comprises telescopic forks at front and dual-rear shock absorbers. The bike has a slightly upswept exhaust, which indicates its mild off-roading capabilities. Weighing just 128 kg, Honda CGX 150 can deliver agile performance across varied ride environments. The lightweight profile also makes the bike suitable for beginners.Honda CGX 150 (Baby CB350) DebutsHonda CGX 150 – Styling and featuresSimilarities with the CB350 are quite apparent. Honda CGX 150 has a circular headlamp, circular rear-view mirrors, fork gaiters, curvy fuel tank and minimal body panelling.The cafe racer variant has an exotic design with bar-end dual-tone mirrors, frame in red shade and a rider only seat with a hump at the rear. The fuel tank utilizes a vibrant mix of Honda’s signature blue, white and red colours. The seat is dual-tone and the rear suspension springs are painted red.Honda CGX 150 (Baby CB350) DebutsOther two models get a proper seat and standard grab rails. One of these is a grey-black model, whereas the other utilizes an all-black theme. The latter can be seen with some official accessories such as a visor and side bags.Honda CGX 150 – Launch date, pricingIt is expected that Honda CGX 150 will make its debut in China in September 2024. Launch is scheduled in the spring of 2025 in China. Honda CGX 150 could be offered at a starting price of approximately 10,000 yuan (Rs 1.17 lakh). After the 150cc model, Honda could introduce a smaller 125cc bike based on the same format. Export potential will be evaluated across various international markets.Honda CGX 150 (Baby CB350) DebutsManufacturing will commence at the Wuyang-Honda facility. A joint venture between Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and Guangzhou Motors Group Company, Wuyang-Honda has been functional since 1992. At the Wuyang-Honda facility in China, around 20 million two-wheelers have been produced till date.Will Honda CGX 150 launch in India?As the CB350 has emerged as a popular choice, a smaller 150cc retro bike seems to have potential. But it is unlikely to be launched here anytime soon. More

New Honda CB 350 – Prithiraj ChowdhuryHonda 2W sales were led by the Activa and CB Shine with significantly high YoY improvement and a combined share of 77.28%Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), has reported a significant improvement in domestic sales which has grown by 59.40% on a year-on-year (YoY) basis. Sales which had stood at 3,02,756 units in June 2023 improved dramatically by 1,76,841 units to 4,82,597 units in June 2024. These improved sales have now allowed the company to close the gap, significantly closer to No. 1 two wheeler maker, Hero MotoCorp, by just around 8,000 units.Honda 2W Domestic Sales June 2024 – Led by Activa ScooterHonda Activa, which has commanded the sales list in previous months, was once again at the helm of the sales list in June 2024 with 2,33,376 units sold. This related to a 78.38% YoY growth over 1,30,830 units sold in June 2023. Honda Activa currently commands a 48.36% share on the domestic sales list and was also the best-selling scooter last month, ahead of TVS Jupiter by a huge margin.Honda 2W Sales June 2024 – YoY ComparisonHonda CB Shine at No. 2 garnered 1,39,587 units in terms of domestic sales. This was a 40.64% YoY growth from 99,254 units sold in June 2023. The Honda Shine was also at No. 2 on the list of top 10 motorcycle sales last month after the Hero Splendor. Sales of the Honda Dio scooter have seen a triple digit improvement by 254.60% YoY to 32,584 units. This was a 23,395 unit volume growth over 9,189 units sold in June 2023.At No. 4 was the Honda Unicorn which has seen just a marginal YoY growth in sales to 26,751 units over 26,692 units sold in the same month last year to command a 5.54% share on this list. There was a slump in sales of the Shine 100 commuter bike by 29.32% to 23,087 units last month. Honda Shine rivals the Hero HF Deluxe and Bajaj Platina in its segment. Lower down the sales order, Honda Dream sales stood at 7,234 units while the SP160 added 7,117 units to total domestic sales along with Livo, of which 7,038 units were sold last month.Honda 2W Sales June 2024 – MoM ComparisonHonda Hornet 2.0 also saw sales of 2,080 units in domestic markets. Honda Hornet and CB200X are now sold via the company’s BigWing dealerships along with other high end bikes such as the CB350, H’ness CB350 and CB350RS. Sales of the H’ness 350 slumped by as much as 56.19% YoY to 1,807 units, down from 4,125 units sold in June 2023 relating to a 2,318 unit volume decline. The sales list also included the company’s CB range that has reported good sales with the CB350 (1,161 units), CB200X (466 units), CB300 (287 units) and XL750 (22 units).Honda 2W Sales June 2024 – MoM ComparisonIn terms of MoM sales, they were up from 4,50,589 units in May 2024. This represents a growth of 32,008 units or a 7.10% increase month-over-month. Honda Activa led the charge with 2,33,376 units sold in June, a 7.87% increase from May’s 2,16,352 units, capturing a 48.02% share of the total sales. CB Shine followed with 1,39,587 units sold, marking a 9.99% rise from May’s 1,26,907 units, contributing 28.16% to the overall sales.Honda Dio saw a 12.20% growth, selling 32,584 units in June compared to 29,041 units in May, accounting for 6.45% of the sales. Unicorn also performed well, with 26,751 units sold, up 8.13% from May’s 24,740 units, representing 5.49% of the market share. Shine 100 experienced a modest increase of 4.24%, with sales rising to 23,087 units from 22,147 in May, making up 4.92% of the total sales.Dream model saw a slight increase of 2.95%, with 7,234 units sold compared to 7,027 in May, while SP160 experienced a significant decline of 28.39%, dropping to 7,117 units from 9,939 units in May, representing 2.21% of the sales. Livo also faced a decline of 9.72%, with sales falling to 7,038 units from 7,796 in May, making up 1.73% of the sales. Hornet 2.0 sales dropped by 16.97%, from 2,505 units in May to 2,080 units in June, capturing 0.56% of the market.Hness 350 saw an 8.18% decrease, with sales falling to 1,807 units from 1,968 in May, while CB350 experienced an 11.37% decline, with 1,161 units sold compared to 1,310 in May. CB200X sales dropped by 8.98%, with 466 units sold compared to 512 in May. CB 300 saw a slight decline of 3.04%, with sales decreasing to 287 units from 296 in May. XL750 faced a significant drop of 46.34%, with only 22 units sold compared to 41 in May. Lastly, GL 1800 saw no sales in June, down from 8 units in May, marking a 100% decline. More

Honda ActivaHonda 2W Sales June 2024 Double digit growth – Strong sales in both domestic, export marketsHMSI has shown off a strong growth trajectory in June 2024 with double digit growth both across domestic sales and exports. Honda 2W Sales June 2024 (domestic + exports) grew by 60.08% YoY to 5,18,799 units last month which was a massive improvement over 3,24,093 units sold in June 2023. Volume increase was at 1,94,706 units.Honda 2W Sales June 2024Domestic sales have seen a 59.40% YoY improvement to 4,82,597 units in June 2024 from 3,02,756 units sold in June 2023. While volume gain stood at 1,79,841 units, these sales accounted for 93.02% of the company’s total sales. Gains were even more exceptional in terms of exports which improved by 69.67% YoY with 36,202 units being shipped globally. This was a volume growth of 14,865 units as against 21,337 units exported in June 2023.Honda 2W Sales June 2024Where MoM analytics are concerned, Hero MotoCorp experienced lower exports. Total growth was up by 5.35% from 4,92,447 units sold in May 2024 marking a 26,352 unit volume increase. Domestic sales remained positive with a 7.10% MoM improvement from 4,50,589 units sold in May 2024 while exports suffered a 13.51% decline as compared to 41,858 units shipped in May 2024 relating to a 5,656 dip in volumes.During June 2024, Honda opened its first sales and service outlet in Shillong, Meghalaya. Marking its 25th dealership in North East India and 174th dealership in the eastern region. The company also conducted several road safety awareness programs across several cities while in celebration for World Environment Day. A total of 1 lakh trees were planted.Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) – Strong growth trajectoryHonda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) moved mountains on the back of its strong growth trajectory in June 2024. The proof is in the pudding. An indication of strong consumer confidence and demand for their products. Significant increase in both domestic sales and exports suggests effective market positioning and product appeal across diverse customer segments.This growth highlights HMSI’s operational efficiency, and their ability to adapt to evolving market dynamics and consumer preferences. Initiatives such as expanding their dealership network reinforces their proactive approach to staying competitive in the dynamic Indian automotive market.Electric Honda Activa – e2Ws awaitedHonda is also set to introduce the electric version of India’s best-selling scooter Activa sometime later this year or in early 2025. Once launched, the Activa electric scooter will have to contend with the TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak and Hero Rizta in its segment.HMSI also plans to expand its production capacity and introduce new assembly lines for the production of Activa Electric. Considering the popularity of the Activa ICE variant, it is expected to make ripples upon launch. More

Honda Cross Cub 50Not just the Super Cub 50, but the entire bunch of 50cc Honda bikes on sale in Japan will be discontinuedAs climate change events continue to increase, nations across the globe are taking measures to reduce their carbon footprint. One recent example is Japan, where tougher emission norms are set to be implemented in 2025. Due to this, iconic best selling two-wheelers such as Honda Super Cub 50 will no longer be available in Japan.Costly complianceWhile there is the option of using a catalytic converter, it will be a complex and costly process for a 50cc two-wheeler. One of the reasons Honda Super Cub 50 is preferred is its affordable pricing. It is available in the price range of 200,000–300,000 yen (approximately Rs 1.05 lakh to Rs 1.57 lakh).Honda Super Cub 50Considering the cost of additional parts required to achieve compliance with the stricter emission norms in Japan, there will be a significant rise in prices. As per estimates, making the Super Cub 50 emission compliant will push its prices. Bringing it at around the same level as that of Honda’s 125cc bikes.Along with the Super Cub 50, Honda will have to discontinue all the 50cc bikes it sells in Japan. Honda’s under-50cc portfolio includes Super Cub 50 Pro, Cross Cub 50, Giorno 50, Tact, Dunk, EM1 e:, Benly and CRF50F. Discontinuing these small capacity bikes comes at a time when demand for small mopeds has been continuously decreasing in recent years. A significant percentage of users are shifting to e-bicycles.Honda Super Cub range over the yearsAs per a report published by Nikkei Asia, small moped sales were at 92,824 units in 2023. This is just a small fraction of the approximately 2.78 million units that were manufactured in 1982. This was the period when small moped sales were at their peak. In Japan, Honda currently has around 80% market share in the moped segment.Super Cub brand to be retainedWhile discontinuing the 50cc bikes, Honda will retain the Super Cub brand for the higher capacity models. It includes the Super Cub 110, Super Cub 110 Pro and Super Cub C125. While 125cc bikes should be able to achieve compliance with the stricter emission norms in Japan, there is not enough clarity about the future of Honda’s 110cc bikes.Even though the popular 50cc Super Cub will be discontinued next year, it is good to know that the iconic brand itself is not being erased completely. Various media outlets and polls have voted the original Super Cub as the world’s greatest motorcycle. Since the time it was introduced, more than 110 million units have been sold. That makes the Super Cub the top selling two-wheeler on the planet.In India, bestsellers like Splendor Plus and Honda Activa will take several years to break that record. It may never even happen, as the Indian two-wheeler market is also witnessing a strong shift towards EVs. Brands like Ola S1, TVS iQube and Bajaj Chetak have already entered the top 10 list of best selling scooters in the country. More