Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), a subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., has been a dominant force in the Indian two-wheeler market. While the company has enjoyed immense success with its scooters and budget commuter motorcycles like the Activa and Dio, its presence in the premium 160cc segment has been relatively limited. One such model, the Honda X-Blade, has recently been delisted from the company’s official website, hinting at its potential discontinuation.
The X-Blade’s Struggles
The Honda X-Blade, a premium 160cc motorcycle, was launched in India with the aim of competing against established rivals like the Bajaj Pulsar NS160, Yamaha FZ, and Suzuki Gixxer. Despite its sharp styling and modern features, the X-Blade failed to gain significant traction in the market. Its sales performance remained underwhelming, leading to speculation about its future.
Possible Discontinuation
The delisting of the X-Blade from Honda’s official website is a strong indicator of its discontinuation. While there’s a possibility that it could be a temporary measure, the likelihood of a permanent discontinuation is higher given its lackluster sales. If the X-Blade is indeed discontinued, it’s expected that Honda dealerships will offer substantial discounts on the remaining units in stock.
Key Features of the Honda X-Blade
Despite its discontinuation, the Honda X-Blade was a noteworthy motorcycle with several attractive features:
- Powerful Engine: Equipped with a 162.71cc single-cylinder air-cooled petrol engine, the X-Blade delivered a decent power output of 13.67 bhp and 14.7 Nm of torque.
- Modern Design: The motorcycle boasted a sharp and edgy design language, featuring a Robo-faced LED headlight, Razor edged tail light, and a fully digital instrument cluster.
- Premium Features: The X-Blade offered features like RSU telescopic front forks, rear mono-shock suspension, disc brakes with single-channel ABS, a 130-section rear tire, and an engine stop-start switch.
Future Plans
With the X-Blade potentially out of the picture, it remains to be seen whether Honda will introduce a replacement model or completely withdraw from the premium 160cc segment. Given the company’s strong presence in other segments, it is likely that they will explore options to strengthen their position in the competitive 160cc market.
As the Indian two-wheeler market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Honda responds to the changing consumer preferences and market dynamics.
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