Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India PV LTD (HMSI) has laid the foundation stone for its third two-wheeler production plant situated at Narsapura Industrial Area, Kolar district, Karnataka, approximately 50km outside Bangalore. The new factory is scheduled to go on steam in the first half of 2013, with a target of an annual production capacity of 12,00,000 units.
Honda is investing Rs 1,350 crore in the new facility, and aims to streamline its distribution process more efficiently once this new plant is functional. This is Honda’s first South Indian venture, coming after its two existing plants in Manesar and Tapukara, both located around Delhi. The company management has stressed on the fact that a huge chunk of the Narsapura plant’s production will aim to meet a pent up demand for the Activa, in addition to producing new models that are to be added to their line-up in future.
Honda wants to subsequently boost production capacity at this plant to 18 lakh units per annum, and create about 3000 jobs in the region.