Honda unveils new technical center

With growth in its mind, Honda shifted its technical center from Gurgaon to Manesar. The Gurgaon technical center was built when Honda and Hero-Honda had a joint venture. The new technical center has been designed based on what Honda calls “Vision 2020”. The main motto of this “vision 2020” according to Honda is to provide consumers with more speed, higher affordability and low co2 emissions. Also a part of this vision is to develop India in such a manner that it becomes the hub for its global two wheeler operations.

The new technical center has assigned four vital points for its R & D operations, which are simplicity, concentration, speed and communication. With the new technical center Honda wants to utilize the local sourcing which is readily available and improve them so that they can be utilized for domestic as well as their international markets, which would help them in lowering input cost with higher quality. Honda also wants to cut down the time normally recquired to develop a bike significantly so that they can introduce new bikes in the market at a much faster rate. By keeping various departments like R & D, purchase, quality etc under one roof, Honda plans to improve efficiency by keeping close communication and co-ordination among them.

The new technical center will play a vital role in deciding Honda’s future in the two wheeler market. As of now they are in a cut throat competition with Bajaj to become the second largest two-wheeler manufacturer in the country and with this new facility Honda hopes to get the necessary boost to go past Bajaj. With a growth rate 0f 49% Honda has been the fastest growing two-wheeler manufacturer in the country for the past 18-months.

The major credit for Honda’s tremendous growth should be given to the Dream Yuga. The Dream Yuga has clocked sales of above 1, 00,000 units in just 4-months, which is quite commendable. In its pursuit to topple Bajaj from its number two position Honda is also planning to make India its export hub for Bangladesh. Currently Bajaj is the leading exporter of two-wheelers in India and with Honda’s export plans it sure would dent Bajaj’s market share.