Hero MotoCorp, the largest two-wheeler manufacturer in the country, on Thursday launched its first motorcycle, designed and developed in-house, ‘Splendor iSmart 110’.
“The launch of the all-new Splendor iSmart 110 marks the achievement of yet another significant milestone in our solo journey. It is the first completely in-house designed and developed motorcycle at our Centre for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur,” Hero MotoCorp Chairman, Managing Director and CEO Pawan Munjal told DH.
Built on a completely new chassis and frame, the new Splendor iSmart 110 runs on a new Bharat IV-compliant 4-stroke engine with i3S technology that offers 9% more power with a higher fuel economy.
The launch comes on the heels of a successful launch of the first range of indigenously developed scooters last year.
Munjal is hopeful of the growing two-wheeler demand in the country, backed by good monsoon and the announcement of the 7th Pay Commission recommendation. “We are expecting to retain our leadership position in the motorcycle segment and the company will come up with more products in both the scooter and motorcycle segments,” he said.
Launched at a price of Rs 53,800 (ex-showroom Bengaluru), the Splendor iSmart 110 enters the market within six months of being showcased at the Auto Expo 2016.
The bike clocks 0-60 kmph in 7.45 seconds, and offers fuel efficiency of 68 kmpl. Besides a longer seat, the Splendor iSmart 110 has an analog digital speedometer, which also has the functional utility of showing service due indicator.
Munjal also made it clear that the company will phase out its four licensed products with Honda before 2017. “We started our solo journey in 2010, after 26 years of running a successful JV, Hero Honda. Our in-house product development team has the capability to phase it out even earlier,” he said.
When asked about the export market, he said the company plans to export the Splendor iSmart 110 to 10 global markets. Munjal said that the company has set ambitious target of entering 50 new markets by 2020 with 20 manufacturing facilities across the globe, and an overall annual turnover of Rs 60,000 crore.