Auto Expo 2018 is around the corner and Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) is currently enjoying the number two spot in India when it comes to two-wheeler sales. The year 2017 has been a joy ride for the company as it launched some interesting bikes and scooters and showed a lot of variety. Last year, the manufacturer launched products starting from as low as Honda Cliq scooter to the extravagant new generation Honda Goldwing. For this reason, the hopes from the company are on a high in the current year as well. Auto Expo 2018 is taking place next month and hence, Honda is expected to showcase multiple concepts to attract the visitors. One of the most exciting products by the manufacturer will be the new Honda Rebel 300 that will challenge Royal Enfield 350 range of cruisers. Also, the company will also likely bring the replacement for the discontinued CBR250R and CBR150R at the biennial event and it will likely be the Honda CBR300R. Here’s a quick list of what two-wheelers Honda can showcase at the Auto Expo 2018.
2018 Honda Goldwing
Honda has already launched the next generation Goldwing in India in December last year at a price of Rs 26.85 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). This makes the new Goldwing Rs 2 lakh cheaper than the outgoing model. The deliveries for the new Goldwing will begin this month only. While the motorcycle has already been launched in India, Honda will take the opportunity of showcasing it at Auto Expo 2018 to make its presence felt in front of the large gathering. Another reason is that Goldwing, being the flagship product for Honda will surely attract some good number of visitors at the company’s booth at the Auto Expo 2018.
Honda Rebel 300
Honda two-wheelers India has filed a patent for the Rebel 300 in India a few days back, hinting towards its nearing showcase at Auto Expo 2018. The Honda Rebel 300 will primarily challenge the likes of Royal Enfield 350 range of motorcycles that are currently a hit in the Indian two-wheeler market. The company might showcase the Rebel 300 at the Auto Expo 2018 to generate the hype. In a price sensitive economy like ours, bringing a Completely Built Unit (CBU) product would be a no-brainer and hence, the company might consider the localisation of this 286cc motorcycle in India in order to keep the costs in check. Having said that, the Honda Rebel 300 is expected to be priced in India close to Rs 2 lakh (ex-showroom).
Honda PCX150
There have been long-running rumours that the Japanese manufacturer will launch the sporty PCX150 scooter in India but that does not seem to be happening as of now. The company will likely showcase the said scooter at the Auto Expo 2018 to keep the hype intact. However, the timeline for the arrival of the production-spec model cannot be assumed at the moment. As the name suggests, the Honda PCX150 gets its power from a 150cc engine that should churn out power close to 13 hp and torque nearing 14 Nm. The Honda PCX150 will rival against the likes of Aprilia SR 150 and is expected to be launched in India at a price of Rs 80,000 (ex-showroom). Expect the Honda PCX150 to be showcased as a concept model at Auto Expo 2018.
Honda CBR300R
Honda has already discontinued the CBR150R and CBR250R from the Indian two-wheeler market with the onset of BS-IV emission norms. There have been reports on the internet suggesting that the company will replace CBR250R with a new CBR300R. Especially at a time when the 300cc full faired sport bike segment is on a boom, Honda would like to take the opportunity to share a space in the said territory. For this reason, the Honda CBR300R might be showcased by the company at Auto Expo 2018. The new Honda CBR300R if launched, will challenge the likes of TVS Apache RR 310, KTM RC 390, Benelli 302R and Kawasaki Ninja 300.
