Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India?s (HMSI) vice-president (sales and marketing) and board member NK Rattan has decided to step down after a 12-year stint with the Japanese two-wheeler company. He has been handling the portfolio of operating head (sales planning and marketing) and operating head of corporate affairs.
The company aims to become the largest two-wheeler company in India by 2020 and is on the verge of replacing TVS Motor Company to become the No. 3 player in the Indian two-wheeler industry after Hero Motor and Bajaj, according to analysts.
When contacted, senior officials of the company said a replacement will soon be made for the post. In a statement, HMSI said that after a memorable association of close to 12 years, the board agreed to relieve Rattan on March 10, 2012.
?Rattan?s extraordinary vision and leadership established HMSI and guided it to its position as the India?s most innovative and fastest growing two-wheeler company. His support and leadership has indeed been highly meritorious throughout his journey at HMSI,? said Keita Muramatsu, president & CEO, HMSI.
Rattan said, ?I have enjoyed every moment of my association with Honda, which has widened my horizons. The success we have enjoyed has been largely possible to the consistent efforts of entire team and continued support by the management. I now look forward to new accomplishment and challenges.?
Rattan, who has been instrumental in making Honda a tough competitor, was also responsible for Honda Motorcycle?s major expansion with a new greenfield project in Rajasthan with a total capacity of 1.2 million units (in two phases) and another greenfield project near Bengaluru for a similar capacity of 1.2 million units.
Since November 2011, the company has increased its market share from 11% at the beginning of this fiscal (in April) to 12% in May and then to 13% in September and further to 14% in October. With the commencement of the Rajasthan plant, increasing demand for Activa and new launches, it could able to attain 15% market share in November with sales figure of 198,782 units, thereby replacing TVS Motor to become No. 3 and continue to maintain the 15% market share till February with a monthly sales figure of around 200,000 units, sources said.