Thumbs up to ‘Make in India’: Honda to launch India-made CBR650F bike

In a boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign, Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India (HMSI) is planning to launch CBR650F bike by July 2015. The bike, which has been manufactured in India, will be the two-wheeler manufacturer’s debut in the premium motorcycle segment.

"We are planning to introduce CBR650F sometime in July. It will be completely assembled in our plant. It is part of the ‘Make in India’ concept promoted by the government...," said Keita Muramatsu, president and CEO, HMSI.

The bike would cost about Rs 8 lakh. Muramatsu also added that HMSI will come up with seven brand new models this year.

Currently, HMSI manufactures CBR150cc, CBR250cc, CB Unicorn, CB Trigger, CB Shine, Dream Yuga, Dream Neo, Activa and Deo.

Talking about the sales target for 2015, Muramatsu asserted that the company aims to sell about 45 lakh units this year as against 37 lakh units sold last year.

HMSI operates three plants in Haryana, Rajasthan and Karnataka, and it has a capacity of 4.60 million units. Its fourth plant, which is coming up in Gujarat, is likely to begin production in 2016.