- Hero MotoCorp to phase out the Impulse, Ignitor and Maestro
- We believe its the technology in them and not the models
- Hero’s new tech tie-ups
Hero has completed its first anniversary of its new identity, Hero MotoCorp and also entered the international market with the launch of twelve products in the Sri Lankan market. Hero has continued to be the number player and sales have only seen an upward trend post split with Honda.
In October the company launched India’s first transroader the Impulse and also launched three new products the Ignitor, Maestro and Passion X-Pro at the 2012 Auto expo. The Maestro and Ignitor was launched in March and June respectively.
At the recently held event According to Economic Times, the MD of Hero MotoCorp, Mr. Pawan Munjal , said the company wants an independent robust R&D set-up, for which it has stitched up a new technology agreement with a European design and technology provider — its third such partner since its split from Honda last year. He said going forward, Hero MotoCorp wants to develop products with its new partners so that it can replace those developed with Honda.
They may be newly-launched products, but Hero MotoCorp has said it will phase out Impulse and Ignitor motorcycles and Maestro scooter after some time as they have been launched with technology assistance from erstwhile partner Honda Motor Co of Japan.
We feel that the products will not be discontinued, but Hero may upgrade them with new technology which will be developed in house. For this Hero, is setting up an integrated R&D centre near Jaipur with an investment of Rs 400 crore.
In February, the company announced a partnership with US superbike company Erik Buell Racing (EBR), and in March signed a research deal.
With completion heating up, and the aggressive approach by the Japanese two makers, Hero MotoCorp will have to constantly keep upgrading its product line-up and also launch new models to keep the customer inflow constant.
Read: Hero to launch all new bike in 2014, to be developed on its own
Info Source: ET
Hi,
I have already been using Hero Honda (now Hero Motocorp) Karizma since past 2 years & i’m very happy with its performance. & now i intend to buy a new bike in the 125 cc segment with decent average & good styling. I shortlisted Bajaj Discover 125 ST & HeroMotoCorp Ignitor (with drum brakes). After having the test drive, i found that the response of the Ignitor was better & it has a crispyness in its features & styling & is very appealing. The discover wasn’t so bad though but i found the riding position not very favourable for me as i am used to karizma. I’m happy with the performance of Ignitor even though i will have to shell out a couple odd thousand Rs more than others.
As i recently read that the Ignitor is being phased out, My Question is that SHOULD I BUY THE HERO IGNITOR AT THIS CRITICAL POINT OF TIME? WILL THE SERVICE & SPARES WOULD BE COMPROMISED IN THE NEAR FUTURE ? WHAT IS HEROMOTOCORP GOING TO DO FOR CUSTOMERS WHO EITHER HAVE BOUGHT THIS BIKE OR ARE PLANNING TO BUY THE SAME SO AS TO BUILD THE CUSTOMER BASE & ALSO NOT COMPROMISING ON THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ? WHAT UR TAKE ? PLZ HELP AS I AM PLANNING TO BUY A BIKE THIS WEEK. ALSO WHAT OTHER OPTIONS COULD U SUGGEST IF THE ANSWERS TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS ARE MOSTLY YES.
Dear Ankur,
the models will not be phased out soon. It could happen in 2014 or 2016 when the technical tie up with Honda ends.
You can wait for the TVS Pheonix or even look at the Yamaha SS125, Suzuki Slingshot and the Honda Stunner.