Gearless scooters will continue to dominate India in 2016

Honda Motorcycles and Scooter India (HMSI) Private Limited is betting on gearless scooters to continue selling well next year.

"Automatic scooters market continues to grow despite the two wheeler industry growing by only 1.4 percent. The automatic scooter is growing at 14 percent and Honda is growing at 19 percent," said Y.S. Guleria, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, HMSI, at the launch of their 14th bike.

Honda had promised to launch 15 products in 2015. Till now, the company has showcased 15 and launched 14 products. The latest one, 125cc CB Shine SP, was launched on Thursday at Rs. 59,900 for the self drum alloy, Rs. 62,400 for the self disc alloy and Rs. 64,400 for the Combi Brake system (all prices are ex-showroom Delhi). The company is expected to launch its 15th product, the 160cc CB Hornet, next month.

"While India is the world's fastest growing economy, it is also home to one of world's youngest population. These youngsters recognise their special place in society. The new CB Shine SP helps them reflect the same special status and puts them a gear ahead of their peers," HMSI president and CEO Keita Muramatsu said in a statement.

The new Honda CB Shine SP will be powered by the same engine as on the exiting model. The 125cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine with Advanced Honda Eco Technology offers a maximum power output of 10.57bhp along with 10.3Nm of peak torque. Honda claims the bike has a mileage of 65 km/l. The new Shine will be fitted with a five speed gearbox, which would improve the drive ability of the bike.

HMSI plans to start production of scooters at its new factory in Gujarat by February 2016, which shall solely be a scooter-manufacturing unit.