FAST BIKES
Hero MotoCorp becomes the first Indian manufacturer to achieve this incredible milestone
LIVING UP TO ITS CREDO OF ‘THE world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters,’ Hero MotoCorp has kicked off 2021 with a massive achievement: the brand surpassing the milestone of 100 million (10 crore) units in cumulative production! Besides, this is also the 20th consecutive year that Hero MotoCorp has retained the title of the world’s largest manufacturer of two-wheelers, by dint of sheer numbers alone!
Hero MotoCorp’s achievement makes it among the fastest to the 100 million production mark since the brand kicked off production under the Hero Honda name in 1984. To put it into perspective, Hero’s erstwhile partner reached its 100 million milestone only in 1997, close to 49 years since its creation!
The 100 millionth bike, an Xtreme 160R finished in a special red-and-white ‘100 Million Limited Edition’ paint scheme, rolled off of the line at the brand’s manufacturing facility in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Hero MotoCorp’s sales have seen a steady uptick since 2008. Back then the numbers were at a (comparatively) paltry 25 million. This figure doubled in 2013 (50 million), then tripled in 2017 (75 million), and finally we’re now at 100 million. Moreover, considering we’ve just entered 2021, it just might transpire that the brand may hit the 200 million mark within this very decade itself!
To mark the occasion, Dr Pawan Munjal, the brand’s CEO and chairman, unveiled six special celebration edition models at the brand’s manufacturing facility at Gurugram, Delhi NCR. The six celebration edition models include four motorcycles – Splendor+, Xtreme 160R, Passion Pro, Glamour – and two scooters – Destini 125 and Maestro Edge 110. All six special edition models will go on sale later this month.
However, Hero MotoCorp is not one to simply rest upon its laurels or continue its business as usual. Before the pandemic struck, Hero had hosted a massive event at its Jaipur R&D centre where it had announced an investment of `10,000 crore over the next five to seven years with a focus on future of mobility including electric two wheelers.
Taking this very initiative forward, Dr Munjal addressed a global audience (including customers, dealers, distributors, investors, suppliers, employees, customers and the media), outlining Hero MotoCorp’s plans and vision for the brand’s new vision, dubbed ‘Be the Future of Mobility.’
As per the plan, Hero MotoCorp has announced it will introduce over 10 products – including variants, refreshes and upgrades – every year. And, the launches may also include a few premium offerings, such as the (fingers crossed) rumoured higher-capacity version of the XPulse!
AFTER THE GHASTLY YEAR WE’VE just had, Ducati has decided to be a ray of sunshine and launch 12 new motorcycles in 2021. Last year’s launch plans were derailed courtesy you-know-what, but the Italian company plans to get everything back on track with the launches and the resumption of community activities like the DRE Dream Tour, Off Road days, track days and personal racetrack training sessions. The celebrations have already been kicked off with the recently launched trio of the BS6 Scrambler Icon, Icon Dark and 110 Dark Pro. Along the course of the year, Ducati will bless us with the – hold your breath – new Diavel and XDiavel, new Multistrada V4, the much-awaited Streetfighter V4, Panigale V4, the all-new Monster, SuperSport 950, Hypermotard RVE and a bunch from the Scrambler range.
2021 seems to be looking up already!