Latest news with #Shine100
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Shine 100 DX and CB125 Hornet fuel Honda's renewed focus on mass motorcycle market
In a year that marks its 25th anniversary in India, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) is steering decisively into the two segments that define the country's mass motorcycling landscape — 100cc and 125cc. With the introduction of the Shine 100 DX and the CB125 Hornet , Honda isn't just bringing new products; it is sharpening its strategy to win the volume game through a blend of regional relevance, customer segmentation, and product distinction. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has introduced the Shine 100 DX and CB125 Hornet to strengthen its presence in the high-volume 100cc and 125cc motorcycle segments. With these launches, the company aims to tap deeper into commuter and youth segments, reinforcing its ICE portfolio in India. This isn't new territory for HMSI, but the approach is more calibrated than ever before — drawing from deep consumer insight, changing aspirations, and a growing understanding that brand loyalty in India's commuter space is built on dependability first, and design later. Two segments, two different customers The 100cc segment in India is vast, accounting for nearly 29 per cent of the total two-wheeler market. Honda's Shine 100, launched two years ago, helped the brand capture nearly 15 per cent of the lower-end commuter market. But Honda knew this wasn't the whole opportunity. 'The 100cc segment is bifurcated," said Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing, HMSI. 'One is extremely price-sensitive and utility-focused. For this, we already have Shine 100. But 70 per cent of the segment is made up of riders looking beyond basic mobility — they want reliability, durability and a sense of pride." This is where the Shine 100 Deluxe fits in. With a digital meter, wider fuel tank, five-step adjustable suspension, tubeless tyres, and premium graphics, the Deluxe brings a new level of aspiration to the entry-level commuter. It's built for daily grind but crafted to look like it belongs to a higher bracket. 'In a segment that contributes to 20 per cent of the overall industry, we see huge potential," added Mathur. 'And the timing aligns perfectly with festive season demand." Also watch: Honda CB 125 Hornet Walkaround In HD + Exhaust Note 🎧🎧 Honda CB125 Hornet: A style play for Gen Z At the other end of the commuter spectrum is the 125cc category, where Honda already commands a 51 per cent market share as of Q1 FY25. The SP125 and Shine 125 have long been staples in this space, but consumer expectations have evolved. 'Young buyers no longer want just a motorcycle — they want an expression of identity," Mathur said. 'That's where the CB125 Hornet comes in. It is not only sporty but packed with tech and style features Gen Z cares about." Golden USD forks, a 4.2-inch TFT digital cluster with Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and distance-to-empty readouts, split seats, LED lighting — all rolled into a package that hits the sweet spot between performance and practicality. With a 0–60 kmph time of 5.4 seconds, it also brings real performance cred to the segment. Mathur dismissed any fears of cannibalisation within Honda's portfolio, saying, 'These products will bring new customers. There's enough headroom in both 100cc and 125cc to grow without eating into existing volumes." No rush, just relevance Interestingly, HMSI's recent launches come at a time when India's two-wheeler industry is slowly but steadily recovering to its pre-COVID levels. Yet Honda has maintained a measured tone in its pursuit of leadership. Tsutsumu Otani, President, CEO and Managing Director, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), stated during the launch event that Honda contributed nearly 50 per cent of the industry's growth last fiscal year and that the brand's focus is on 'delivering value, not chasing numbers." Even so, with HMSI's current market share at 27 per cent, the ambition to close the gap with its former partner Hero MotoCorp is evident. For Tsutsumu Otani, its more about delivering value than chasing numbers (Mohd Nasir for HT Auto) 'Leadership will be a byproduct of relevance," Mathur emphasised. 'If we stay in sync with what the Indian customer needs — be it in design, utility or aspiration — the numbers will follow." Electrification and a multi-fuel future Even as it reinforces its ICE playbook, Honda is in no tearing hurry on the electrification front. When senior members of its global two-wheeler leadership team visited India recently, the message was refreshingly candid. Minoru Kato, the head of the Motorcycle business at Honda Motor Company, did not mince words in describing the local EV two-wheeler market as 'stagnant" — a space propped up more by subsidies and fuel price anxiety than genuine consumer conviction. Also Read : Honda to relook at its electric two-wheeler strategy as it finds Indian market stagnant Honda debuted its electric two-wheelers — the Activa e with a swappable battery and the Honda QC1 with a fixed battery — earlier this year. The rollout has been phased, starting with Bengaluru and expanding to Delhi and Mumbai. 'We're still in the process of evaluating which battery approach works best for the Indian market," Otani said. However, HMSI's road to carbon neutrality, which it plans to achieve by 2050, is not limited to EVs alone. The company is actively pursuing a multi-pathway strategy toward carbon neutrality. This highlights a focus on Flex-fuel technologies, which Honda has already positively executed in Brazil, with more than 7 million flex-fuel two-wheeled vehicles sold so far. Yogesh Mathur stated that the company's vision is to give customers sustainable options without compromising performance or affordability (Mohd Nasir for HT Auto) The company has launched its first ethanol-compatible motorcycle in India - the Honda CB300F Flex Fuel - and is now working with governments to clarify policies and incentives around bioethanol-based mobility solutions. Mathur echoed this broader outlook, stating, 'We are not betting on a single technology. Whether it's EVs, ICE or flex-fuel, our vision is to give customers sustainable options without compromising performance or affordability." The long game In many ways, Honda's 2025 playbook reflects the balancing act many legacy automakers are attempting: doubling down on ICE where it still thrives, while preparing the ground — cautiously but firmly — for an electric and sustainable future. As Otani succinctly put it during the event, 'This is not just about new products. It is about reinforcing Honda's role in India's mobility story — across segments, technologies, and generations." For now, the Shine 100 Deluxe and CB125 Hornet may seem like modest moves. But in the vast chessboard of India's two-wheeler market, they are strategic placements, meant to consolidate territory and shape perception — one commuter, one aspirational rider at a time. Check out Upcoming Bikes In India. First Published Date:
Hindustan Times
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Honda Shine 100 DX unveiled, bookings open from August 1
Honda Shine 100 DX is offered in four colours. Check Offers The Honda Shine 100 DX has been unveiled in India. This marks the second product for the Japanese two-wheeler maker in the 100cc market. With the new product, Honda aims to strengthen further its hold in the 100cc segment, which contributes to about 29 per cent of the total motorcycle market. The bookings for the new motorcycle will commence from August 1. The Shine 100 DX targets the lower end of the 100cc motorcycle market, which contributes to about 70 per cent of the total 100cc motorcycle segment. The company claims that the new Shine 100 DX has been quintessentially crafted for Indian roads, especially the rural parts of the country. Honda Shine 100 DX: Design The new Shine 100 DX gets a refreshed design over the Shine 100. At the front, it gets a newly designed headlamp with chrome garnishing to add a touch of premium appeal. The profile is further defined by a sculpted, wide fuel tank bearing the iconic Honda branding. The Shine 100 DX also features graphics on the body panels. It gets a long seat aimed at maximum comfort for both rider and pillion. Furthermore, it gets an all-black engine and grab rail to further add a contrast. The Honda Shine 100 DX will be offered in four colour options – Pearl Igneous Black, Imperial Red Metallic, Athletic Blue Metallic and Geny Grey Metallic. Honda Shine 100 DX: Features In terms of features, the Honda Shine 100 DX gets a new LCD digital instrument cluster that shows a real-time display of mileage, distance to empty (range), and service due indicator. Alongside this, it also gets a side stand engine cut-off feature to add to its safety quotient. On the hardware front, the Shine 100 DX features telescopic front forks and 5-step adjustable rear shock absorbers. Braking duties are handled by drum brakes at both the ends, complemented by Honda's Combined Brake System (CBS) for enhanced safety. The new Shine 100 DX rides on 17-inch tubeless tyres and gets a 168 mm ground clearance. Also Read : Honda CB 125 Hornet unveiled, bookings begin from August 1 Honda Shine 100 DX: Specs The new Honda Shine 100 DX gets powered by the same 98.98cc single-cylinder, fuel-injected, OBD2B-compliant engine that powers the Shine 100. The engine in the Shine 100 DX produces 7.2 bhp of power at 7500 RPM and 8.04 Nm of peak torque at 5000 RPM. The engine comes mated to a 4-speed gearbox and gets Honda's eSP (Enhanced Smart Power) technology. Check out Upcoming Bikes In India. First Published Date: 23 Jul 2025, 11:39 am IST
Hindustan Times
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Honda Shine 100 to get an all-electric iteration, patents reveal
Honda is working on an all-electric motorcycle that is based on the Shine, and its patent application reveals removable battery packs like the Honda Activa e:. (Image: Electrek) Check Offers Honda seems to be working on an affordable electric bike, which is based on the Honda Shine 100 commuter motorcycle. The Japanese two-wheeler giant has filed a patent application for the electric motorcycle, which has revealed the upcoming EV's design and technology plans. As it appears, the OEM is planning to bring an ultra-inexpensive electric motorcycle to the market that would help the brand tap a segment which has so far been dominated by models with higher price tags. The Indian electric two-wheeler market has been dominated by electric scooters so far. Be it the startups like Ola Electric, Ather Energy, or the legacy players such as TVS Motor Company, Hero MotoCorp, via its Vida, have launched their respective electric scooters in the market. Lately, the companies have been focusing on bringing electric motorcycles into the segment as well, but the legacy players are yet to tap that segment. The patent image published by Electrek reveals quite a few key details about the upcoming electric motorcycle's design and technologies. If Honda launches the Shine-based electric bike, it would become the first such brand in this space. Honda Shine electric motorcycle: What the patent reveals? The patent application filed by Hona reveals that it is working on an electric motorcycle that is built around the low-cost chassis of the Shine 100. Building a new EV without investing in a completely new design and chassis, but opting for the successful Shine 100 that sold more than 300,000 units in India in 2023 alone, allows Honda to save on time and money, two of the most precious resources in the industry. A brand new chassis development would take a lot of time and money, but using an already existing frame and modifying it slightly to be an EV is a relatively cheaper affair. The two-wheeler manufacturer has replaced the petrol engine with an electric motor, as the patent reveals. However, the main frame of the motorcycle remains largely unchanged. The electric motor is positioned at the same place where the Shine 100's engine used to be, attached using the existing mounts. Honda Shine electric motorcycle gets two small removable battery packs, placed on either side of the mid-section of the tubular chassis. (Image: Electrek) One of the notable design elements revealed by the patent images is swappable battery packs, just like the Honda Activa e:. It gets two small removable battery packs, placed on either side of the mid-section of the tubular chassis, tilted forward in a manner that resembles the engine layout of the Shine 100. There is a small space between the two battery packs that looks like a passageway for airflow to cool down the batteries. Also, the ECU is located right behind them. The patent application also reveals that each of these batteries weighs 10.2 kg. Honda Shine electric motorcycle: Expected launch Honda has already entered the Indian electric two-wheeler market with its electric scooter. Now, the Shine electric motorcycle could be the next big step for the OEM. While Honda has not revealed anything officially, it could launch sometime next year, considering the fact that the electric motorcycle will not need to be built from scratch, and a slight modification of the existing Shine 100 platform could do the job for the brand. Also, Honda already has a battery swapping network in place and growing to support the Activa e: electric scooter. Expect the same battery swapping network to aid in the growth of the Shine electric motorcycle once launched. Check out Upcoming EV Bikes in India. First Published Date: 20 Jul 2025, 13:20 pm IST
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang issues urgent AI warning: "You're going to lose your job to someone who...'
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang issues urgent AI warning Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept of science fiction or a futuristic buzzword confined to labs and research centers. It is already deeply embedded in the fabric of the modern workplace, rapidly reshaping how businesses operate, how employees perform their duties, and how entire industries evolve. In a powerful and sobering statement at the Milken Institute Global Conference on May 6, Jensen Huang , co-founder and CEO of Nvidia, one of the world's leading semiconductor companies valued at over $3.3 trillion, issued a compelling warning to workers worldwide: 'You're not going to lose your job to an AI, but you're going to lose your job to someone who uses AI.' Huang's message underlines a critical paradigm shift — the disruption caused by AI won't simply be about outright job loss through automation but about a growing divide between those who harness AI as a tool and those who do not. This revelation compels us to rethink the future of work, the skills needed to thrive, and how society must adapt to this technological revolution. How AI is redefining jobs, not replacing them Contrary to common fears that AI will lead to massive, immediate job displacement, Huang's perspective reveals a more nuanced reality. The technology itself will not necessarily replace workers outright but will transform the very nature of jobs and workplace productivity. AI can automate repetitive, routine tasks but does not fully substitute the creativity, judgment, and complex decision-making humans provide—at least not yet. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ride Home Your Shine100 with lucrative offers Honda Learn More Undo Chris Hyams, CEO of job platform Indeed, supports this viewpoint, noting that while full automation is rare today, nearly two-thirds of job roles include tasks AI can assist with or perform. This means that AI is increasingly integrated into everyday workflows, augmenting human capabilities rather than eliminating jobs entirely. The new competitive edge belongs to those who can collaborate effectively with AI — those who can train, command, and augment AI tools to enhance their productivity and innovation. Huang highlights a startling gap: out of the global population of approximately 8 billion people, only about 30 million are proficient in programming and leveraging AI technologies at an advanced level. This discrepancy indicates a growing knowledge divide, with a small elite group wielding powerful AI instruments, while the vast majority risk falling behind. Jensen Huang's take on AI amid growing fears of job cuts While Huang offers an optimistic view of AI as a transformative tool, other experts warn of more dire consequences. Dario Amodei, CEO of AI safety startup Anthropic, paints a bleaker picture. In an interview with Axios, Amodei suggested that up to half of all entry-level white-collar jobs could disappear within five years due to AI-driven automation and hiring freezes. His scenario envisages a paradoxical future: dramatic technological progress combined with widespread unemployment, where the economy grows, but millions struggle to find work. This chilling forecast underscores the risk that AI may not only automate tasks but also alter corporate hiring practices. Companies might stop creating new positions altogether, relying instead on AI-powered efficiency. Early adopters like Shopify, Duolingo, and Fiverr have already mandated AI integration into employee workflows. Shopify's CEO Tobi Lutke explicitly instructed teams to exhaust AI tools before submitting hiring requests, signaling a profound shift in organizational dynamics. Jensen Huang: AI is generating new career paths Despite concerns, Huang remains hopeful about AI's potential to generate new opportunities. At the Hill and Valley Forum, he emphasized how AI is revolutionizing software development itself. Traditional human-coded software running on CPUs is being replaced by machine-learning-generated software running on powerful GPUs, a transition that spawns new industries, tools, and layers of commerce. This transformation is not merely disruptive; it's generative. The AI revolution is creating new jobs at higher levels of abstraction and specialization, involving tasks such as AI training, data labeling, model fine-tuning, and system integration. As one layer of technology evolves, it opens doors for novel roles and trades previously unimaginable. Jensen Huang on why AI skills are no longer optional A central theme in Huang's message—and echoed by billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban—is the urgent need for AI literacy. In today's landscape, understanding how to use AI is no longer a luxury; it's a critical survival skill. Huang reveals that he personally uses AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to draft content and solve problems, highlighting how AI is increasingly intertwined with communication, creativity, and daily problem-solving. The technology lowers the barrier to entry, enabling even non-programmers to instruct AI through natural language or visual inputs, effectively democratizing access. Mark Cuban's investment in free AI bootcamps for underserved high school students exemplifies this philosophy. Cuban urges learners to embrace AI early, absorbing its principles and applications to remain competitive in the evolving job market. Real-world AI adoption: Case studies Shopify : Employees must leverage AI tools for workflow automation, with a formal policy to maximize AI utilization before any hiring occurs. Duolingo : Integrates AI-driven tools to improve language-learning products and employee productivity. Fiverr : Encourages AI as part of freelancers' toolkit to boost creativity and efficiency. These examples demonstrate that AI adoption is not a theoretical future but a present-day reality transforming corporate culture and operations. Growth without jobs? The dark side of the AI boom The potential paradox highlighted by Amodei—robust economic growth alongside stagnant or declining job creation—raises critical questions about income inequality, social safety nets, and workforce retraining. Policymakers must grapple with these challenges as AI reshapes labor markets. The knowledge gap Huang describes demands significant investment in education and reskilling programs. Governments, corporations, and educational institutions will need to collaborate to equip the workforce with AI literacy and digital skills, ensuring broad-based economic inclusion. As AI becomes integral to workplaces, concerns about bias, transparency, and control grow. Companies and regulators must ensure AI systems are deployed responsibly, safeguarding workers' rights and maintaining trust. Also read | What is Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's net worth AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
