According to multiple outlets in India, Honda is getting ready to sell made-in-India motorcycles to the rest of the world.
Both moto-mags and standard news outlets alike are reporting on Honda’s plan to shift its significant Indian business into a higher gear (for instance, here’s a write-up in the Financial Express). After almost a decade of focusing on India’s domestic market, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt Ltd is starting an export arm.
It’s a big move, because Honda’s already a big player in India. Like all the other companies in that market, their meat-and-potatoes products are sensible runabouts which aren’t terrible desirable in other markets. However, their recent CB350 series shows the Indian factory is capable of building motorcycles that appeal to customers not just in other Asian countries, but in markets like the UK, Europe, and North America.
After all, why not? Royal Enfield’s sold made-in-India retros for years, and it’s seen a massive resurgence in the past decade. Anything Royal Enfield can do, Honda can do.
And, it’s not like it’s breaking some unwritten rule to sell Honda-badged bikes that were built outside Japan. Honda’s been doing this for decades, with deals in countries like Taiwan, Brazil, or Thailand. Some of Honda’s most popular models were made in other countries, and the company has still retained its reputation for reliability.
Honda started its own Indian production about a decade ago; its long partnership with Hero started to wind down around 2010. Hero Honda was founded in 1984, and was the world’s biggest motorcycle manufacturer at its peak. Hero is still a major player in India of course, but Honda’s building its own business fast, and if it starts exporting motorcycles all over the rest of the world, it’s a massive growth opportunity for Big Red.
Having said that, don’t expect to see the H’Ness CB350 series in Canada just yet. Honda’s Canadian arm seems very reluctant to take much risk bringing new products in—we still don’t have confirmation the CT125 Trail is coming in, the XR650L is long-cancelled, and so on.
Just bring the Honda CB350 RS Already!!!
It’s the only bike my wife doesn’t fight me on getting, for my first motorcycle. And the insurance in Toronto won’t be so astronomical.
Please!!
Leo in Toronto Canada
Message to Honda Canada – If it comes down to the CB 350 or CT 125 for import to Canada, bring in the Trail 125 first. It could sell across the country in cities, towns, rural areas and countryside everywhere. Small bikes like this are utilitarian and fun. My guess is Honda can’t make enough of them to keep up with demand.
Make it a 750 version and I can pretend it is a CB750K
That CB350 is really pretty, I love the fact that Honda is paying tribute to it’s seventies desing! I’m new to Canada and I’m surprised to see how limited Honda’s catalogue is here compared to the competition! Is it the relatively short season? The market share? Both? I’m a sucker for small displacement bikes, I already own a Rebel500 and I wouldn’t mind buying a new CB350.
CT125 Please … The COVID cash is burning a hole in my pocket as I type. Please please please me!