The global motorcycle market can be roughly divided into five main camps: Japan, the United States, Europe, China, and India.
Japan boasts the "Big Four" - Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha - each excelling in specific areas.
In the United States, brands like Harley-Davidson, Indian, and Victory are highly regarded motorcycle manufacturers.
In Europe, brands like Ducati and Piaggio from Italy, BMW from Germany, and KTM from Austria are quite representative.
As one of the largest motorcycle manufacturing and sales countries globally, China has many well-known brands such as Haojue (Suzuki), Loncin, Zongshen, Qianjiang, and Chunfeng.
When it comes to motorcycles in India, many people first think of unique motorcycle performances such as stunt riding, acrobatics, and balancing acts.
These performances not only showcase skills but also reflect the significant role motorcycles play in the lives of people in the country, serving as a relatively inexpensive mode of transportation.
According to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), motorcycle sales in India reached 17,075,160 units in 2023, marking a 9% year-on-year increase.
Companies like Bajaj Auto, TVS Motor, and Royal Enfield (acquired by Indian automotive company Eicher) all achieved impressive sales performances.
Hero is one of India's largest motorcycle manufacturers, with sales reaching 5.6 million units last year, a 5.4% year-on-year increase. This places Hero as the second-largest globally, surpassing brands like Yamaha, Suzuki, and Yamaha.
The South Asian region (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc.) remains its primary market, with a 6.2% increase in sales. Meanwhile, sales in Africa saw a slight rise of 0.2%, while Latin America experienced a decline (-10.1%).
Last year, motorcycle sales in the Latin American market increased by 4.6% year-on-year, reaching 5.6 million units, marking 12 consecutive years of growth.
Hero MotoCorp is headquartered in New Delhi, India, originally starting as a bicycle manufacturer.
In 1983, the company formed a joint venture with Honda, establishing Hero Honda and launching its first motorcycle, the CD 100.
With Honda's technological support, Hero MotoCorp became one of the world's largest manufacturers of motorcycles and scooters.
In 2010, the Hero Group underwent restructuring, splitting into four independent companies, one of which was Hero Honda.
Subsequently, Hero MotoCorp began independent research and development of powertrains and related technologies, accelerating its expansion into global markets.
It's worth noting that Hero MotoCorp has introduced a series of innovative products in recent years.
For example, it launched the first smart electric motorcycle, Hero Vida V1, equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen two years ago; this February, it introduced a modular electric three-wheeler, Surge S32, with a detachable design allowing it to be used as a standalone electric two-wheeler.
Moreover, in the premium market segment, Hero continues its collaboration with Harley-Davidson to produce mid-size motorcycles, such as the Hero Mavrick 440 launched earlier this year, featuring the same 440cc single-cylinder oil-cooled engine as the Harley X440.
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