Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI), the second largest motorcycle company in India, inaugurated its third motorcycle production plant at Narsapura Area, District Kolar (Karnataka) last week.
"In the current fiscal year 2014, Honda's global motorcycle sales growth is expected to increase more than the previous years and headed to new heights by its operations in India," said Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, managing officer, Honda Motor Co.
“There is no doubt that India is one of the most important markets for Honda's overall business," Matsumoto added.
Spread across 96 acres, Honda's new plant, situated at Narsapura Industrial Area, employs 4,500 associates.
Starting operations from this June, Honda's new plant shall have 1,200,000 units production capacity in Phase I. Honda also announced additional increase of 600,000 units capacity in Phase 2 of this plant taking its annual capacity to 1,800,000 units by end of this fiscal year.
With its three plants, Honda will significantly increase its cumulative annual production capacity by 64% in just one fiscal year.
This new factory has been designed under Honda's concept of "Joy to the Next Generation" and it proactively reduces energy consumption during production.
As a "Green Factory" concept, Honda is successful in meeting over 30% of its annual water demand by internal rain harvesting system. This is also Honda's most environmentally responsible plant which has Zero Liquid discharge.
In addition to water saving system, Honda has employed more advanced machining automation, high speed transfer line, robotic welding and painting of frame parts to making this manufacturing facility a benchmark in the motorcycle industry, the company said.
"We shall start the mass production of Dream Yuga in this plant from June, which is targeted to cater 100-110 cc motorcycle segment contributing almost half of the total 1.4 crore motorcycles sold in India," said Yadvinder Singh Guleria, vice president, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. "Moreover, our million selling Activa scooter will be produced on the 2nd line.
We are also proud to share that Honda occupies No. 1 position in Bengaluru which has the highest market demand for motorcycles among all cities in India."
