Latest news with #QC1
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Honda E-VO breaks cover as the brand's first-ever electric motorcycle
The Honda E-VO is a cafe racer-styled maiden electric motorcycle specifically for China, but looks promising. The Honda E-VO is a stylish electric motorcycle that makes a modest 20.5 bhp and comes in two variants Check Offers Honda has taken the wraps off its first-ever electric motorcycle. The new Honda E-VO remains specific to China at the moment, and is being built in collaboration with the brand's local partner, Guangzhou. Honda's maiden e-motorcycle is a café racer-styled offering bringing a retro touch to the otherwise modern package. The new Honda E-VO will be sold under the Wuyang-Honda brand in China for now. The new Honda E-VO brings a nice take on e-motorcycles with its inspired design. The model features a round headlamp with a bubble-type fairing that blends into the rest of the panels. The sides are covered giving the bike a full-faired styling, albeit has a boxy appearance. The E-VO also uses a single-piece seat, while hardware like the clip-on handlebars and bar-end mirrors complete the look. The e-bike rides on 16-inch front and 14-inch rear alloy wheels, which is a rather unique setup. The Honda E-VO gets removable battery packs Honda E-VO Specifications Powering the E-VO is a PMS electric motor tuned for 15.3 kW (20.5 bhp) and will be available on both variants. The bike is underpinned by a forged aluminium chassis with the battery covered under the side panels. The Honda E-VO will get two battery options - 4.1 kWh and 6.3 kWh - promising a range of 120 km and 170 km (WMTC), respectively. The model weighs about 143 kg on the 4.1 kWh version with dual batteries, and can be fully charged in one hour and 30 minutes. The 6.2 kWh variant will get a triple-battery setup and weighs a heavier 156 kg. It also takes longer to charge at two hours and 30 minutes. With respect to features, the Honda E-VO will be available with a front dash cam as standard, along with a rear dash cam on higher variant). The bike packs a TFT instrument console that packs navigation, music control, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and more. The E-VO will feature three riding modes. The Honda E-VO is now on sale in China and is priced at 37,000 Yuan (approx. ₹ 4.39 lakh). That said, chances of the E-VO making its way to the Indian market seem slim for now. The company recently ventured in the electric mobility space with the QC1 and Activa e and that appears to be the brand's focus in the near-term. Check out Upcoming EV Bikes in India. First Published Date: 31 May 2025, 08:56 AM IST
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Why HMSI is in wait-and-watch mode on EVs before scaling up
Gujarat: As India's electric two-wheeler market heats up, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) is opting for a wait-and-watch strategy, as it sees 2025 as a pivotal year to gauge whether the market will grow or stagnate. This cautious approach is despite its recently announced plans to set up a dedicated EV manufacturing plant within the premises of its existing third facility in Karnataka by 2028. A late entrant to the EV market, the Japanese automaker launched its first two models– the Activa e with swappable battery and QC1 with fixed battery– this year. Although the entry has been slow, the company's leadership team remains committed to a steady pace with the ultimate goal of winning the race. Speaking to reporters in Japanese with English interpretation, Tsutsumu Otani, Managing Director, President & CEO of HMSI, acknowledged that startups pioneered the EV market in India, while legacy companies like TVS Motor and Bajaj Auto are now driving volume growth. However, he noted that despite increasing sales for these OEMs, the overall market has not grown to a significant level. This is because the EV customers are primarily drawn by incentives and the cost advantage over gasoline vehicles. However, if they stop perceiving these benefits, the market may begin to shift, Otani added. For the year ended March 2025, EV penetration in India's domestic two-wheeler market stood at 6 per cent, with sales rising to 11.49 lakh units from 9.48 lakh units the previous year. Bengaluru-based Ola Electric led the segment, while TVS and Bajaj fiercely competed for the second and third positions, surpassing Ather Energy and Hero MotoCorp. Battery replacement cost Otani also drew parallels between the lifecycle of ICE and battery-powered vehicles. While ICE motorcycles typically last 10 to 15 years, EV batteries start to degrade after about five years. At that point, customers must either replace the battery or the entire vehicle, much like upgrading a smartphone. If consumers are willing to accept the cost of battery replacement, the EV market could continue to grow, Otani explained. Though, he reiterated, it is still difficult to predict how the overall market will evolve. He said HMSI is beginning its EV journey at a crucial time and is keen to monitor how incentive trends develop. As the EV market in India enters its fourth year, early adopters will start experiencing battery degradation, marking a key moment when customer perceptions of long-term EV ownership will begin to form. It is worth noting that the automaker's cautious approach also led to its phased expansion strategy for EVs. Currently, the Activa e is available only in Bengaluru and is yet to gain significant traction. The next planned launches, guided by the availability of battery swapping stations, are targeted for Delhi and Mumbai. The EV models are being sold through existing Red Wing dealerships. Honda, which sells scooters with swappable battery technology in Japan and Indonesia, has partnered with OMC Power to support battery swapping infrastructure in Indian cities. Globally, Honda plans to develop both swappable and fixed battery models, launching at least one new model each year starting in 2026. However, the company has not disclosed how many of these will be introduced in the Indian market. Striving for domestic market leadership In India, the company's EV journey contrasts with its long-standing goal to lead the domestic two-wheeler market. Having held the No. 2 position for years, the automaker aims to surpass Hero MotoCorp this fiscal year. To support this ambition, the two-wheeler maker has announced an investment of ₹920 crore to build a fourth production line at its Vithalapur plant in Ahmedabad district, Gujarat. Scheduled to be operational by 2027, the new line will produce 125cc motorcycles and add an annual capacity of 6.5 lakh units, increasing the plant's total capacity to 26.1 lakh units. 'We are aiming for No.1 market share in India by creating a production environment that meets the needs of the world's largest market of 20 million units,' the company said in its official statement. The increased capacity will also support the company's goal of making India its export hub. HMSI, which began production in India in 2001, currently operates four manufacturing plants across the country, including facilities in Manesar (Haryana), Tapukara (Rajasthan), Narasipura (Karnataka), and Vithalapur (Gujarat).
NDTV
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Exclusive: Honda Two-Wheeler To Launch EV Every Year; Aims For No 1 Market Share In India
Ahmedabad (Anirban Mitra): Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) is committed to claiming the top position in the domestic market and is investing heavily in facility expansion. The company has globally achieved the 50 crore vehicle production milestone, rolling the landmark unit out of the Vithalapur facility in Gujarat. Minoru Kato, executive officer, of Honda Motor Company, said, "We are aiming for the largest market share in India by creating a production environment that meets the needs of evolving customers. We are investing Rs 920 crore in the expansion of Vithalapur Plant. This will increase HSMI's annual production to 70 lakh units by 2027." The company has four plants across India with a current installed capacity of 61 lakh per annum. Manesar facility in Haryana has an annual production capacity of 3.8 lakh units, while Tapukara in Rajasthan can produce 13 lakh units. The dedicated EV plant in Narsapura in Karnataka can manufacture 25 lakh units per year. Revealing the company's performance, the top official said HMSI sold 53.26 million (excluding EVs) in FY25, recording 28.3 per cent market share. On the back of strong performance of Activa, Shine and other mass market products, HMSI could narrow its gap from Hero MotoCorp. Karo sounded bullish on India's instrumental role in Honda's aim to touch 6 crore-sales figure annually in the global two-wheeler market by 2030. Electric Vehicles: HMSI launched Activa e: and QC1 in India earlier in 2025. The QC1 comes with a fixed battery while the Activa e: comes with two swappable batteries which can't be charged externally at residence or workplace. Honda Power has installed e: Swap stations in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi NCR as part of phase 1 where customers can replace the drained-out batteries with fresh ones. Also Read: Honda CB1000 Hornet SP, CB750 Hornet Launched, Check Details The top Honda official was confident the model would be accepted by the consumer in the long run, as the battery deterioration would not be a concern. Kato said, "The battery health in electric vehicles degenerates over the years of usage. We believe customers will accept the swapping model as Honda is responsible for charging and warranty of the batteries." Honda two-wheeler's Kato said the company plans to launch at least one electric model globally every year and India's Narsapura plant can become an EV export hub. HMSI will construct a dedicated EV plant within premises of its third plant in Karnataka which will be fully operational by 2028. Honda unveiled two electric motorcycle concepts, 'EV Fun' and 'EV Urban', at the EICMA last year. The commercialisation and sales of these sporty offerings will commence in Europe in the second half of 2025. Honda is late to join the EV party in India, but Tsutsumu Otani as president, CEO and MD, HMSI showed clear intent to rise to the apex EV motorcycle market. "The electric two-wheeler market in India is gradually growing. Around 12 lakh electric two-wheelers were sold in India in FY25. We aim for the number 1 position in the EV two-wheeler segment in coming years." On the EV front, Honda is working on multiple models by standardising and combining modules, which will contribute to cost reduction. India will act as an export hub for Honda, and Otani said the modularised models will be produced at the Narsapura facility from 2028.
India Today
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
Honda to celebrate 50 million global sales milestone with new two-wheeler reveal
Honda is all set to celebrate a global milestone tomorrow, and it is taking the opportunity to reveal a brand new two-wheeler. The two-wheeler in question will be a global model and will also be launched in India. This is what makes this reveal all the more sensational.'It started with one ride. Years of grit. Miles of trust. Driven by millions worldwide and counting. Spanning across continents and time. Stay tuned,' the teaser read. The announcement comes on the heels of a record-breaking fiscal year 2025, where Honda sold 20.57 million motorcycles, securing approximately 40% of the global market and achieving an all-time sales record across 37 countries and global motorcycle demand projected to grow from 50 million to 60 million units by 2030, driven by rising populations and incomes in the Global South, particularly India, Honda is poised to capture this surge through innovative products and an optimised supply chain. The company is accelerating its electrification efforts to maintain its environmental leadership, while also enhancing the fuel efficiency of its internal combustion engine (ICE) models and expanding flex-fuel options. In February 2025, Honda launched the Active e: and QC1 electric models in India, followed by the CUV e: and ICON e: in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines, with the CUV e: slated for Europe and Japan later this support its electric ambitions, Honda plans to open a dedicated electric motorcycle production plant in India by 2028, leveraging modular designs to deliver affordable models and aiming to claim the top spot in the global electric motorcycle company's long-term vision targets a 50% global market share and a return on sales (ROS) exceeding 15% by fiscal year 2031 (ending March 31, 2031), driven by a robust lineup of both ICE and electric to Auto Today Magazine
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Business Standard
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Honda slows EV push globally, eyes India manufacturing unit by 2028
While realigning and reducing its global electric vehicle (EV) targets and investments, Honda Motor is all set to move aggressively into the Indian market, with plans to establish a dedicated electric two-wheeler manufacturing unit by 2028 as part of its goal to capture the number one slot in EVs. "Honda will modularise models developed exclusively as electric models and begin production at a highly efficient, dedicated electric motorcycle production plant, which will become operational in India in 2028. This will enable further strengthening of the electric motorcycle business structure," said the company's global chief executive officer, Toshihiro Mibe, on Tuesday. "Through these initiatives, Honda will offer more affordable electric motorcycle models to more customers, and further down the road, Honda will strive to capture the No. 1 market share in the electric motorcycle market, as well," Mibe added. Mibe said the automaker has lowered its planned investment in electrification and software through the 2030 business year to 7 trillion yen ($48.4 billion) from 10 trillion yen previously, owing to slowing demand. It will also focus on capturing growing demand for hybrids with new models. The Japanese auto major said on Tuesday that it will introduce 13 new hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) across the globe by 2030. For the fiscal year ended 31 March 2025, Honda's motorcycle unit sales reached 20.57 million units, which account for approximately 40 per cent of the global motorcycle market, setting an all-time record for fiscal year sales in 37 countries and territories. The company said global demand is projected to grow from 50 million to 60 million units by 2030, particularly in the Global South, including India, and Honda plans to capture this demand with tailored products and an optimised supply system. As for electric motorcycle models, in February this year, Honda began sales of the Activa e and QC1, which were announced in India last year. The investment cut is based on its decision to postpone the project to establish a comprehensive EV value chain in Canada and to change the timing to construct dedicated EV production plants. "Based on the current market slowdown, we expect EV sales in 2030 to fall below the 30% that we previously targeted," Mibe said, adding that battery-powered cars might make up only around 20 per cent of the company's sales by then. Honda expects to sell 2.2 million to 2.3 million hybrid vehicles by 2030. This comes after the announcement in early May that the company had put on hold for about two years a $10.7 billion plan to build an EV production base in Ontario, Canada, due to slowing demand for electric cars. The company has set a target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, while aiming for 100 per cent EV sales by 2040.
