Honda to launch locally made CBR650F bike by July

Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) plans to introduce CBR650F by July this year to mark its entry into the premium motorcycle segment, according to a top company official.

'We are planning to introduce CBR650F sometime in July. It will be completely assembled in our plant. It is part of the Make in India concept promoted by the government...,'HMSI, President and CEO, Keita Muramatsu told reporters here.

According to him, the plan to make an entry into the 650cc premium motorcycle segment was part of the proposal to introduce 15 new models this year.

He said the company would introduce seven brand new models equipped with new engine and chassis.

Asked on the localisation levels of the CBR650cc motorcycle, he said initially it would be around five per cent as it will be brought in India as a completely knocked down
unit and would be increased in a phased manner.

The price of the motorcycle, he said would be around ₹ eight lakh.

Currently, HMSI retails CBR150cc and CBR250cc apart from CB Unicorn, CB Trigger, CB Shine, Dream Yuga, Dream Neo and popular scooterettes Activa and Deo.

Muramatsu and senior company officials were to introduce 160cc CB Unicorn priced at ₹ 75,535 (Ex-showroom Chennai).

On the total sales target for this year, he said the company expects to sell around 45 lakh units compared to 37 lakh units sold during same period of last year.

HMSI currently has three plants in Haryana, Rajasthan, Karnataka with a total capacity of 4.60 million units. The company's fourth plant set up in Gujarat, at an investment of around ₹1,100 crore was expected to begin production early next year.

'It will be ready early next year. It will manufacture scooters. The capacity of the plant will be 1.20 million units,' he said.