Report - Honda to bring more locally assembled sportsbikes if CBR650F does well

More models are expected in the sub-10 lakh segment.

Speaking to PTI, Mr. Keita Muramatsu, President and CEO of Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), has revealed that the company would consider assembling more sportsbikes in India in the future based on the performance of the Honda CBR560F which will be launched in the country in the first half of 2015.

Though HMSI has confirmed earlier that the CBR650F will be the first high-performance bike from the brand to be locally assembled, the automaker is yet to announce on whether it will take CKD or SKD (Semi Knocked Down) route. Either way, the local assembly would enable Honda to price the four-cylinder fully faired sportsbike in the sub-10 lakh segment which is showing potential.

Mr. Muramatsu said, though India is a commuter-centric market, Honda is looking to increase its presence in the affordable high-performance motorcycle segment. The learning from the CBR650F and the market demand will be key factors in deciding whether more sportsbikes will be locally assembled or not.

Also read: Honda signs agreement with Gujarat government for new two wheeler plant

The country's second largest two wheeler maker whose current lineup of high-end bikes (VT 1300CX, VFR 1200F, CBR1000RR and CB1000R) are all imported as CBUs estimates the strength of the Indian big bike segment to be at 3,000 units per year. HMSI believes that assembling the models locally would increase its market share in the segment.

[Source: Economic Times]