Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) is gearing up to expand its entry-level motorcycle portfolio with a second 100cc model, even as it rules out launching electric motorcycles in the near future. The strategy is part of a broader plan to close the narrowing gap with market leader Hero MotoCorp.
- Honda Shine 100 to gain a more feature-rich variant to take on Hero Splendor
- EV rollout expanding to 100+ cities
- Flex-fuel tech and EV plants are part of long-term plan
Honda targets 100cc segment with new model to rival Splendor
Existing Shine 100 to be joined by more feature-rich sibling.
HMSI currently offers just one 100cc motorcycle – the Shine 100 – but it is now evaluating an additional product in the segment aimed at customers seeking more features and style. This move comes as Hero continues to dominate the 100-110cc segment with its Splendor range, commanding a massive 78 percent market share.
Despite a declining trend in this space, 100-110cc bikes still accounted for over 46 percent of total motorcycle sales in FY25, with HMSI currently holding a 6 percent share. The Shine 100 has laid the foundation in this space, but HMSI sees room to grow – especially in rural areas.
The upcoming model is expected to slot above the Shine 100 and target aspirational buyers who might otherwise opt for the Splendor range, which typically sits above the Shine 100’s price bracket.
Earlier this year, we had exclusively reported that HMSI is working on a retro-styled commuter motorcycle, likely to be the MC100 Classic or the Shine 100 Classic, with a launch expected this year.
In April-June 2025, Honda trailed Hero by just 73,664 units. While Hero’s market share saw a significant drop from 37.04 percent (FY21) to 28.61 percent (FY25), Honda’s rose from 25.58 percent to 27.17 percent. Though strong in the 125cc and scooter segments, Honda is now eyeing the feature-rich 100cc space to take the lead.
E-scooter expansion underway, but no electric bikes yet
Honda’s EV lineup currently includes the Activa E and QC1 electric scooters.
Even as most legacy two-wheeler brands– including Hero, TVS, and Royal Enfield– are actively working on electric motorcycles, Honda has made it clear it won’t enter that space just yet. The company believes the EV market is currently dominated by scooters, and that’s where it is placing its bets for now.
Honda’s EV portfolio currently includes two electric scooters– the Activa E: and the QC1. Launched earlier this year, Honda’s EV operations have expanded to 21 cities, with plans to scale up to over 100 cities within the next year. The company is targeting a 50 percent share of the addressable e-scooter market.
The swappable battery model is seen as key to tackling concerns around battery life and resale value. By removing battery ownership from the user, Honda believes it can preserve the long-term value of EVs similar to ICE models.
Long-term roadmap: Flex-fuel tech and EV plant
plans to scale Indian production to 7.7 million units
Honda is working on E85 flex-fuel tech, already seen on the CB300F, and sees it as better suited to Indian conditions than E100 fuel. A dedicated EV plant in Karnataka will be ready by 2028, with plans to scale Indian production to 7.7 million units by FY30.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
