Hero MotoCorp, India's largest two-wheeler maker has announced its plans to expand its operations to the United Kingdom and Europe with the Vida brand in the second half of 2025.
- Vida Z, 250cc Hero bikes to lead Hero’s global foray
- Hero is steadily ramping up its international presence
- Exports account for 3.9 percent of Hero’s total business
Hero gears up to enter global markets: full details
“We will very soon launch operations in the UK and across Europe, led by our electric vehicle brand Vida. This expansion will also feature an impressive range of motorcycles designed specially with European riders in mind,” said Pawan Munjal, executive chairman of Hero MotoCorp, while unveiling the new Vida Z.
The Vida Z will be the first product that Hero MotoCorp will sell in the UK and Europe. “Vida Z is a product for the global audience, resonating from Barcelona to Bogota with its rich features and styling,” said Hero MotoCorp's chief business officer for Emerging Mobility, Swadesh Srivastava. The Vida Z will be followed by Hero’s premium models like the Xtreme 250R, Karizma XMR 250 and the Xpulse 210.
The automaker currently has a technology centre in Germany (TCG). It has also appointed distributors in Italy – Pelpi International S.r.l. – and has entered into commercial agreements with partners in Spain (Noria Motos SLU), France (GD France) and UK (MotoGB UK).
Hero MotoCorp sells only the Vida V1 in its portfolio, which starts at an ex-showroom price of around Rs 1 lakh. The V1 is now available across 100 cities and 150 dealers across the country.
The company had earlier said it plans to have four electric models in India by the end of this financial year as it looks to grab a larger pie of the electric two-wheeler market.
Our sister publication, Autocar Professional, has also reported that the automaker is eyeing a portfolio of electric motorcycles: six models under the Vida range and four models under its alliance with Zero Motors, starting from 2025-26. The first model is likely to be a premium model.
Hero MotoCorp sees significant potential in global business and electric mobility despite fluctuations in the global economy and sees it as a key revenue driver for the future.
Unlike many of its traditional competitors, Hero MotoCorp's share of exports in its total revenue is still in low single digits – it has good headroom to improve its business. The company has a presence in 48 countries and exports accounted for 3.9 percent of its Rs 37,456 crore revenue in the financial year 2024.
Hero MotoCorp's market share in exports from India increased to 5.8 percent from 4.7 percent during 2023-24. The automaker exported 2 lakh units during the year, up from 1.7 lakh units in 2022-23, and launched 12 new and refreshed products in the international market last year.
In the previous financial year, Hero MotoCorp set up a new subsidiary in Brazil with plans to invest in the manufacturing and distribution of two-wheelers, including parts and accessories.
Entry into the Philippines marked a significant milestone in its Southeast Asia export strategy as the country with an industry volume of 2.25 million units presents a significant opportunity. The company is also exploring additional prospects in other key Southeast Asian markets.
The automaker opened a new assembly facility with its distributor partner CG Group, in Nepal, while in Bangladesh, the company is focused on penetrating the premium segment and expanding its core segment.
Also See: Hero Xpulse 210 revealed at EICMA 2024
With inputs from KIRAN MURALI
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
