Resurfacing a September 2022 move: Honda topped Hero in two-wheeler retail registrations
Data resurfacing from September 2022 showed Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India recorded more than 285,000 two-wheeler registrations that month, ahead of Hero MotoCorp's 251,000-plus. At the time, Hero was preparing its VIDA EV launch and had approved up to $60 million for an equity investment in Zero Motorcycles.
What happened
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India surpassed Hero MotoCorp in September 2022 vehicle registrations, with over 285,000 units. Hero is preparing to launch VIDA
Key facts
- Honda registered more than 285,000 two-wheelers in September 2022
- Hero MotoCorp registered more than 251,000 two-wheelers in September 2022
- Hero dispatched 519,980 motorcycles and scooters in September 2022
- Hero board approved up to $60 million equity investment in Zero Motorcycles
- VIDA launch scheduled for October 7, 2022
Why this matters
Hero’s planned VIDA launch and up-to-$60 million Zero Motorcycles investment indicate a stronger electrification push, potentially creating partnership, technology, and competitive-response implications.
What to watch
- Monthly VAHAN retail registrations by brand, segment and state, especially scooter versus commuter-motorcycle trends.
- Honda's inventory days, dealer additions, festive offers and new-model launches.
- VIDA launch dates, booking conversion, delivery volumes, dealer footprint, charging/battery strategy and product pricing.
- Hero's incentive spend, wholesale-to-retail gap and dealer inventory levels.
- Zero Motorcycles transaction completion, technology-sharing terms and any India product or manufacturing roadmap.
- EV two-wheeler subsidy changes, battery-safety regulation, financing rates and competitive pricing from Ola, Ather, TVS and Bajaj.
- Honda is likely to prioritize dealer stock availability, scooter-led campaigns, finance offers and festive-season retail conversion to consolidate the September lead.
- Hero is likely to accelerate VIDA launch execution, dealer selection, battery/charging partnerships and digital demand generation while using ICE promotions to protect core commuter volumes.
- Both brands are likely to increase retail-led incentives and dealer-level activation, creating pricing pressure for competitors such as TVS, Bajaj and electric-first players.
- Hero's Zero Motorcycles investment may be used to signal premium technology access, though localized products and supply-chain economics will determine commercial impact.