Honda Surpasses Hero as India’s Largest Two-Wheeler Maker

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has overtaken its longtime rival Hero MotoCorp to become the country’s top-selling two-wheeler manufacturer. This significant shift comes just ahead of the crucial festive season, a period known for a surge in vehicle sales.

According to data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), HMSI sold a substantial 62,537 more units than Hero in September 2024. This dominance gave Honda a market share of approximately 27.73%, while Hero’s share slipped to 22.54%.

It’s worth noting that both companies experienced a decline in overall sales compared to the previous year. HMSI’s retail sales decreased by 4.53%, while Hero MotoCorp saw a more significant drop of 22.95%.

While HMSI leads in terms of retail sales (registrations), Hero MotoCorp remains ahead in wholesale sales (dispatches from factories to showrooms). This indicates that Hero might still have a larger inventory of unsold vehicles.

Overall, the Indian two-wheeler market remains competitive, with other major players like TVS Motor Company, Bajaj Auto, and Suzuki Motorcycle India also holding significant market shares.