New Delhi: Honda Motorcycle and Scooters India (HMSI) the 100-per cent two-wheeler subsidiary of Japan's Honda Motor Company, has launched the new 125cc CBF Stunner priced at about Rs48,000. The bike is expected to shore up HMSI's marketshare from the current 11 per cent. After the Shine branded bike, this is HMSIs second entry to the 125 CC segment.

The Stunner is clearly targeted at the youth and comes with an 11 bhp engine and five-speed transmission. It comes in three variants and has been priced between Rs47,070 and Rs51,655 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Honda plans to sell 80,000 units of this bike this fiscal and would even launch two to three new models this year. The Stunner will compete with Bajaj's XCD, the cheapest bike in the 125 CC segment, Hero Honda's Super Splendour, TVS's Flame and Yamaha's Gladiator. Unlike Bajaj, however, HMSI doesn't plan to give up on the 100 CC segment altogether and would launch a bike in this category next year.

The 125 CC segment in the bikes market is the fastest growing category and contributes almost 25 per cent of the total motorcycle market.

HMSI president and CEO S. Aoyama told the press that: ''The new bike promises to provide its customers an ultimate experience of a true Honda bike. The new bike is a reflection of Honda's worldwide sports bikes. In India, we will continue to bring exciting products and be a full line company by 2010 starting with 100cc motorcycles and fun bikes.''

The bike would be available across the country from the third week of July.

The company plans to sell 10 lakh units - seven-lakh scooters and three lakh bikes - in the current fiscal and the launch of the new bike will help them achieve the target.

Aoyama said the company planned to sell 80,000 units of CBF Stunner in the current financial year. The company has a production capacity of about 12 lakh units, which can be stretched up to 13.5 lakh units.

Company officials said HMSI would launch an 800cc category superbike in 2009 priced above Rs10 lakh. The company would import these high performance bikes as completely built units.

The two wheeler market saw a negative growth of 7 per cent last year. Analysts say that with interest rates moving up, its not going to get better. But this hasn't stopped manufacturers from launching more products.

HSMI officials said the company would not compete with group company Hero Honda on volumes but by gaining recognition of its brand and customer satisfaction.
Honda sells motorcycles and scooters in India through Hero Honda, the joint venture company between Hero group and Honda Motor Co, Japan and through HMSI, the wholly owned of the Japanese company in India. Both the companies source technology from Honda Motor Co and operate with a joint working committee that looks into the product differentiation between the two companies.

Last year HMSI sold 6.18 lakh scooters and 2.53 lakh motorcycles. This year it plans to sell one million units and is targeting at attaining a 15 per cent share by 2010 from the present 11 per cent of the overall two wheeler market.

Currently, the company sells Unicorn and Shine motorcycle models in India and four scooter models that include the Eterno, Activa, Dio and the Aviator.

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