Honda to take on Bajaj in three-wheelers

September 08, 2004 08:24 IST

Even before its first motorcycle hits the streets, Honda Motor Scooter is eyeing the domestic three-wheeler market to add another set of wheels to its product portfolio.

Sources said the company had approached the Automotive Research Association of India for road tests of the vehicle, which has been specially developed for India. Like its debut in the scooter market in 2001, this is another attempt by the Japanese giant to get a foothold in the Indian automobile market, without stepping on the toes of its ally Hero Honda.

According to its arrangement with Hero Honda, Honda Motor Scooter has kept away from the former's traditional stronghold, the 100-125cc segment. Industry observers confirm that Honda Motor Scooter is targeting the passenger carrier segment, which constitutes more than 60 per cent of the total three-wheeler sales in the country.

With its foray into the passenger carrier segment, Honda will take on traditional three-wheeler giant Bajaj Auto, which still has a stranglehold in the

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This is the second time Honda is throwing down the gauntlet for Bajaj Auto. The Japanese auto major's first motorcycle, a 150cc bike christened Unicorn, will lock horns with Bajaj's super seller Pulsar.

Mahindra and Mahindra, Piaggio and Atul Auto remain marginal players in the passenger carrier segment.

Honda's maiden offering in the three-wheeler segment will come fitted with a 150cc engine which in turn will be a refinement of its Eterno engine. The environment-friendly engine will also be made available in a 200cc variant later.

Riding into town

Scooter shootout

With its foray into the passenger carrier segment, Honda will take on three-wheeler giant Bajaj Auto which has a stranglehold on the market

Battle of the bikes

The Japanese auto major's first motorcycle, a 150cc bike, christened Unicorn, will lock horns with Bajaj's hot-selling Pulsar