HMSI launches commuter bike CB Twister

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Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) is not satisfied with being the number 3 player in the two-wheeler space. It is now gearing up to whizz past the next milestone. CNBC-TV18's Swati Khandelwal Jain reports.

HMSI has finally entered the commuter segment with the launch of its 110 cc motorcycle - the CB Twister. This segment contributes to over half of the total two wheeler market at 40 lakh units. HMSI hopes to increase its market share from the current 13% and plans to sell at least 2.2 lakh units of this bike in a year.

Honda Motorcycle And Scooter India is zipping ahead of competition. It has sped into the number 3 position in the Indian two-wheeler space by posting sales of over 1.18 lakh units in Jan 2010 - ousting TVS Motors, which sold around 1 lakh units in the same month.

The company is now betting on its 110 cc bike, Twister, and hopes the bike will boost sales even further.

"CB Twister is the first commuter bike from us. This segment, the 100cc class, has been stagnant for almost many years and we want to expand this segment with this product," says Naresh K Rattan, VP - Marketing & Sales, HMSI.

Since entering India, the company has invested over Rs 1,300 crore - and plans to invest another Rs 200 crore this fiscal on new models and capacity expansion.

It has already scaled up production capacity at its Manesar plant to 15 lakh units, and is exploring options to increase capacity further. It is also scouting for a location for a second plant.