There is no doubt that Honda Two Wheelers is currently having a purple patch in India. Its models are doing very well and the Activa, well, has now officially become the highest selling two-wheeler in India by having beaten the Hero Splendor for the last 6 months. This is the first time in 17 long years that this has happened. Such was the might and hold of Hero and erstwhile Hero Honda on the Indian two-wheeler industry.
| 2016 | January | February | March | April | May | June | Total |
| Honda Activa | 2,10,123 | 2,10,028 | 2,19,926 | 2,33,935 | 2,37,217 | 2,26,686 | 13,38,015 |
| Hero Splendor | 1,99,345 | 1,89,314 | 2,09,209 | 2,24,238 | 2,07,010 | 2,04,609 | 12,33,725 |
But the Activa came up and how. In the last 6 months, it sold 13, 38, 015 units to come up to the top of the two-wheeler sales chart. You would be surprised to know that the Activa contributes to almost 15 per cent of the overall domestic two-wheeler sales, which, surprisingly, is larger than the combined total sales of 125cc motorcycles in India. For the first half of 2016, the Honda Activa has a lead of little more than 1 lakh units over the Hero Splendor.
(Hero Splendor Pro 2016)YS Guleria, senior vice president - Sales & Marketing, HMSI said, "Activa today represents the metamorphosis of the society. The superior convenience, unisex appeal coupled with product features (increased mileage, style and technology) has converted millions from pillions to riders. Honda's Activa has come to symbolize a remarkable blend of Reliability, Comfort & Convenience, Style and uncompromised performance. We thank our valued customers who have made Activa the most preferred choice of families for commuting in India. That's what we call Activating the Nation."
There still remain five and a half months of 2016 where the Hero Splendor can claw its way back into Activa's territory. The launch of the Hero Splendor iSmart 110 is the perfect catalyst to send Hero to winning ways. You can read our review of the Hero Splendor here.
