Hero Moto’s Gujarat plant faces delay on land issues

Being the market leader, Hero will look to be faster than Honda in ramping capacity to the 10-million mark, by reaching the target by FY17 itself. Out of the total capacity, about 1 million units have been earmarked for the new international markets in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia. In all, Hero is investing Rs 2,575 crore over the next two to three years in the two new plants, an R&D centre

in Jaipur and a global parts distribution centre, also in Rajasthan.

"The delay in new plants may be seen as a blessing for Hero, especially with sluggish demand in the market. It is true that they have to guard market share against Honda's rapidly increasing presence, but overcapacity would also present new problems," a sector analyst said.

According to Siam, total two-wheeler sales in April-December period of the current fiscal rose 4% to 10.37 million units, compared with the year-ago period. While bikes sales, which account for 80% of two-wheeler volumes, were flat, the growth was largely on the back of an 18% growth in the scooter segment. Hero's sales in April-December FY13 were down 2% to 4.42 million, compared with a 15% growth in volumes to 6.06 million it saw in FY12.

"After three high-growth years, we are seeing a correction in the two-wheeler industry for the last one and a half years. This (sluggish sales) may continue till the first quarter of FY14, but growth will come back as I feel two-wheelers are a necessity," said Anil Dua, Hero's senior vice-president for marketing and sales.

ALSO READ

Modi attends BJP's top body meeting, discusses 2014 election strategy

BJP makes Modi confidant Amit Shah in charge of Uttar Pradesh

Sydney court sends man to 45 years in jail for rape and murder of Vadodara girl in 2011

Voters’ registration in villages to go online