Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) is sharpening its focus on premium scooters and mid-capacity motorcycles. The strategy marks a significant evolution for Honda, whose India business has long been anchored by high-volume commuter products such as the Activa scooter and Shine motorcycle.

1. More premium products incoming
2. Localisation will be key to affordability

The company says this has been done to retain younger buyers whose purchasing decisions are increasingly driven by design, technology and global products rather than just affordability. “Today’s customers, especially Gen Z and Gen Alpha, expect easy access to information through their smartphones and the internet,” HMSI president and CEO Tsutsumu Otani told Autocar Professional in an interview.

“Customers today don’t just compare models available in India; they also explore products offered in Asia, Europe and the United States,” he added.

Otani also said that Honda’s objective is no longer confined to winning first-time buyers but also to ensuring customers continue to remain within the brand as their aspirations evolve.

“The most important thing is not just market share. The key question is how we can increase loyal Honda customers,” he said. “Selling a vehicle is a one-time transaction. If customers do not choose Honda again when they purchase their next vehicle, that is not a good outcome for us.”

Industry analysts say the shift comes as India’s two-wheeler market becomes increasingly segmented, with premium motorcycles, feature-rich scooters and electric two-wheelers emerging as the fastest-growing parts of the industry.

Honda plans to draw more extensively from its global portfolio while increasing localisation to make premium products commercially viable for India.

“For our premium and step-up models, HMSI intends to leverage Honda’s global portfolio. We are also preparing new models based on Honda’s global portfolio,” Otani said.

He added that localisation would remain central before introducing any global model in India, both to improve affordability and strengthen domestic manufacturing.

While Otani declined to identify future products, Autocar Professional understands Honda is developing several new programmes covering 125cc and 150cc motorcycles, scooters, electric scooters, and 350cc and 500cc motorcycles. Although individual products and launch schedules remain undisclosed, the pipeline is consistent with the company’s strategy of building a broader premium portfolio while retaining customers within the Honda brand.

Honda is also giving India a larger role in product development as it seeks to shorten development cycles and improve localisation.

“‘Made in India’ means the supply chain exists in India. So, we have already changed our R&D process as well,” Otani said.

Asked whether Honda was now ready to design and develop products specifically for India, he replied, “Yes.”

The company’s strategy extends beyond internal-combustion products. Honda currently has a limited presence in India’s electric two-wheeler market but plans to expand its EV portfolio as adoption accelerates.

Otani said the company remained cautious about the pace of electrification because charging infrastructure and customer usage patterns were still evolving.

“Our first priority is to closely monitor the EV market in India and understand how it is developing,” he said.

At the same time, Honda sees growing opportunities in premium scooters as buyers seek larger engines, more features and stronger styling without sacrificing everyday practicality.

Otani said the challenge would be to localise advanced components and powertrains sufficiently to offer premium products at prices acceptable to Indian consumers.

The broader strategy reflects Honda’s attempt to reposition itself for a market where younger buyers increasingly expect global products adapted for local conditions rather than stripped-down versions developed solely for affordability.

For Honda, the next phase of growth may depend less on expanding its share of commuter motorcycles and scooters and more on building a complete portfolio that keeps customers within the brand as they move into premium motorcycles, larger scooters and electric mobility.

With input from Kiran Murali