Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) on launched the new version of its gearless scooter Activa. Honda Activa scooter is based on the Aviator format and continues the Activa legacy. While introducing new features Honda claims to have ensured that the new Activa retains the comfort and riding pleasure of original Activa. Those who like nothing but the top-of-the-line goodies will have to wait some more, as Honda will be launching the ‘Deluxe’ variant in the near future.
The Honda designers have worked on the styling of the new scooter and hope that it captures the imagination of the Indian buyers. The scooter now features new shape headlamps with Halogen bulbs, accompanied by clear indicator. The aluminium grab-rails from the Aviator has now graduated to the new Activa. Now there’s more room in the underseat storage area so that you can carry a lot more with you. Unlike the Dio, the new Aviator has a metal body to ensure durability and it has a key shutter.
The new gearless scooter will be powered with an 110cc Honda engine, replacing the older 102cc.
“Though under test conditions we have got a mileage of 64 km a litre, it will give 55 km a litre to customers. We hope to sell 5.50 lakh new Activa in 2009-10,” said HMSI Head (Sales and Marketing) N. K. Rattan at the launch ceremony here.
HMSI President and CEO Shinji Aoyama said, “We will stop producing Eterno and completely come out of the geared scooter segment to focus more on the fast-growing gearless market.”
Stating that HMSI was looking at a total of 18 per cent growth in its two-wheeler sales in 2009-10, Mr. Aoyama said Eterno was selling only about 40,000 units a year, so it was not logical to continue with it. “However, we will come out with a new model to fill this vacuum,” he added. HMSI is expecting an impressive 17 per cent growth in the current financial year with total sales of 10.6 lakh units.
“The Indian two-wheeler market witnessed a growth of five per cent in the current fiscal, whereas we grew by about 17 per cent. We expect to keep this momentum going. For 2009-10, we have set a sales target of 12.5 lakh units, of which 7.4 lakh will be scooters and 5.1 lakh will be motorcycles,” Mr. Aoyama said.
The New Honda Activa will be available in six colours: Candy Lucid Red, Wild Purple Metallic, Space Silver Metallic, Geny Grey Metallic and Black. We particularly liked the Pearl Sunbeam White. The new Honda activa is priced at Rs. 39,800 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Source:Bike India, Hindu
