Technical Center & New Technology to Spearhead Honda’s Global Innovation from India!

Present at the conference were Mr. Keita Muramatsu – President & CEO, HMSI who announced Honda’s strategy in 2013 of making fast strides towards Brand leadership; Mr. Atsushi Amataka, President – Honda Research & Development India Pvt. Ltd. (HRID) who elaborated on the global significance of New Technical Center; and Mr. Yadvinder S. Guleria – Vice President, Sales & Marketing, HMSI who briefed on the revolutionary Honda Eco Technology introduced in three automatic scooters (Activa and Aviator and Dio) which promises convenience of scooters with mileage of motorcycles.

The New Technical Center – A world first from Honda!  
Traditionally, Honda R&D is operating as separate entity across all 2Wheeler, 4Wheeler & power product divisions globally. Undertaking a major paradigm shift, the New Technical Center is a first step by Honda towards a new form of global operations.

As a global leader in mobility, Honda has reinforced its commitment for India as a priority market for the world. In a first ever across all operations globally, new Technical Center combines integrated system of DEBQ (Design, Engineering, BOP/Purchasing and Quality) under one roof to create a globally optimal operating system that advances local development of higher quality product at low cost.

Spread over 10,000 square meters in HMSI Manesar facility, the New Technical Center engages 200 engineers from Honda Research & Development India (HRID) and HMSI associates.

In another first for the Indian 2Wheeler industry, Honda’s New Technical Center houses the advanced Wind Tunnel facility which simulates real world air flow situation to monitor aerodynamics and its effect on models to develop truly fuel efficient two-wheelers. The facility’s engineering and styling design also incorporates benchmark equipments like chassis dynamo, bench dynamo, layout machines, SEM microscope etc.

Honda’s Automatic scooters Now ‘Most Fuel Efficient’ in India           
In keeping with its strategic approach of ‘Mileage Up’ for maximizing customer satisfaction, Honda today launched the all new Honda Eco technology *1 across Activa, Aviator & Dio, making them the Most Fuel Efficient Automatic Scooters in India!

The new Honda Eco Technology boosts fuel efficiency of Honda’s automatic scooters by further 11%, resulting in a Dream Mileage of 60kmpl (Mileage based on internal Honda test ride mode that is close to actual city riding conditions). This revolutionary mileage benchmark is yet another milestone from Honda reinforcing its leadership in the Indian automatic scooter market.

Forming the crux of the revolutionary Honda Eco Technology is the trio of improved combustion, significantly reduced friction and optimized transmission in the 110cc engine:

• Reduced friction by offset crank, significant weight reduction of reciprocating parts, low tension piston ring and improved bearing oil seal
• Improved combustion  with highly ignitable nickel spark plug and optimized inlet port
• By optimizing Pulley converter ratio & driving force, the power has been maintained & mileage has been increased.

Excerpts from the Company:

Speaking on the way ahead Mr. Keita Muramatsu - President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd - said “April to December 2012 was a year of rapid strides when Honda bucked the market sentiments to grow at phenomenal 37%. 2013 is a year when we Excite Customers with speed. As India becomes the Global Innovation hub for Honda, Customers can look forward to new products by Honda every quarter and also faster delivery of some of our higher demand models with the start of operations of 3rd facility at Karnataka soon! ”

Mr. Yadvinder S. Guleria, Vice President – Sales & Marketing, HMSI said, “From activating the automatic scooter segment with entry of Activa in 2001 to fortifying its market leadership for over a decade and giving Joy to 7 million plus families, Honda has yet again changed the rules of automatic scooter segment in India. The revolutionary Honda Eco Technology in Honda’s automatic scooters deliver a new benchmarked mileage of 60kmpl enhancing customer benefit.”

Speaking on the technical center Mr. Atsushi Amataka, President – Honda Research & Development India Pvt. Ltd. (HRID) said, “As the World’s No. 1 two-wheeler maker, Honda carries with it a legacy of cutting edge R&D resulting in customer oriented products. India is today the center of attention globally with the new Technical Center. We are committed to deliver the products of highest quality with affordable price at fast speed by enhancing our efficiency of having  R&D, designing, engineering, purchasing and quality under one roof for the first time.”

New Product information

New Activa:     
India’s most loved automatic scooter Activa now joins the club of commuter motorcycles with a Dream Mileage of 60kmpl* and time tested performance. Powered with a 109cc Honda engine with revolutionary Honda Eco Technology (HET), the New Activa promises 6KW (8 BHP) power output and improved torque of 8.74Nm @ 5500rpm in low to mid range which is suitable for commuting.

Priced at Rs. 47,188 (Ex-Showroom, Delhi), New Activa is available in one new color - Wild Purple Metallic and 4 existing colors: Black, Geny Grey Metallic, Pearl Sunbeam White and Candy Lucid Red.

Continuing to provide the best of features, new Activa retains its best of class features like Combi-brakes (which reduce braking distance by 24% compared to conventional braking), durability in Indian road conditions (Full Metal body, tubeless tyres), anti-theft Key lock shutter (for more safety and reliability), timeless looks (appealing front stance, elegant tail, charming headlights with Halogen lamp, clear winkers and elegant aluminum grab-rail, prudent instrument panel), extra Comfort (sitting position, wider foot space, wider-longer seat) and added convenience (increased under-seat storage capacity of 18 litres, viscous air filter, maintenance free battery, optional storage box, Convenient Lift-up Independent Cover or CLIC mechanism).

New Aviator
Honda has refreshed India’s first automatic scooter for style conscious males–New Aviator so that customers desiring exclusivity may continue to “Live in Style”.

The New Aviator is priced attractively at Rs. 48,212 for Standard variant and Rs. 53,531 for Deluxe variant (Ex-showroom, Delhi). Aviator comes in a new premium shade of Royal Gold Metallic in addition to the 3 existing shades of Pearl Igneous Black, Rebel Red Metallic and Pearl Sunbeam White.

Honda’s technologically advanced 109 cc 4-stroke air cooled engine generates 6KW (8 BHP) of smooth power with Dream Mileage of 60kmpl*. A combination of metal and high impact resistant ABS parts in the body ensures safety with world class Quality. Popular for its international styling, New Aviator comes with 12-inch lightweight alloy wheels, muscular metallic look with chrome finish, unique 3D emblem for premium feel, large multi-reflector front and tail lamps, sweeping side indicators and body colored grab rail. Taking comfort and convenience to unmatched levels are the high quality telescopic front suspension, 190 mm front disc brakes, 130mm drum rear brakes, wide seat, large under-seat storage, tubeless tyres, maintenance free battery and viscous air filter.

New Dio
India’s first Unisex Moto-scooter for youth – ‘Dio’ now comes with a new advance 110cc engine with Honda Eco Technology for Dream mileage of 60kmpl* and generates 6 KW (8 BHP) power.

Priced attractively at Rs 44,701(Ex-showroom, Delhi), new Dio comes in a new color - Pearl Trance Yellow in addition to existing 3 shades - Sports Red, Mat Axis Grey Metallic, Pearl Sunbeam White.

Retaining the youthful moto-scooter look of Dio is its sleek and aerodynamic wedge design, double layered side panel; unique premium 3D Emblem, sporty shaped integrated rear, elegant tail lamp, and stylish instrument panel. The new Dio also boasts of tubeless tyres, comfortable riding posture, more leg room and easy ground touching. Promising continued hassle-free rides & convenience are Combi-brakes, Maintenance-Free battery, Viscous Air Filter and spacious under-seat storage box.

(* Mileage based on internal Honda test ride mode that is close to actual city riding conditions)