HERO HONDA CLOSES CALENDAR YEAR 2007 WITH SALES OF OVER 33 LAKH BIKES


New Delhi, Tuesday, April 21, 2009: Recap of year 2007…

• Slew of launches across various segments this calendar year
• Multi-focal strategy leading to better-than-industry performance and gain in market share
• Doubled volume and share in the premium segment
• Consolidated over 50 per cent share in domestic motorcycle market

New Delhi, January 2, 2008: Hero Honda Motors Ltd (HHML), the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, today reported cumulative sales of 33, 09,051 units of two-wheelers for the period January–December 2007. The company’s cumulative sales for the calendar year 2006 was 32, 53,229. This achievement is significant in view of the prevailing slow down of the two wheeler industry.

For the month of December 2007, HHML reported sales of 240,532 units of two-wheelers. The company’s sales for the corresponding period last year were 252,462 units.

The better than industry performance of HHML through 2007 has been possible due to the company’s multi-focal strategy of bringing in new products across segments, supporting them with extensive 360 degrees communication, leveraging properties such as cricket and entertainment for brand building and augmenting its distribution network. As a result, Hero Honda’s share in the domestic motorcycle market has grown to upward of 50 per cent.

Year 2007 saw Hero Honda launch new models across segments. The company more than doubled its volume and share in the premium segment this year, with the new all-muscle and macho Hunk, and the sporty and stylish CBZ X-treme both doing very well.

New 100cc bike Splendor NXG, refreshed Pleasure, new Super Splendor, refreshed Passion Plus, were other additions to Hero Honda’s product portfolio in 2007. The company crossed the twenty million cumulative sales mark this year and launched the special edition Splendor Plus to mark the occasion. In the month of December, continuing with its engagement with youth, Hero Honda brought the legendary rock band Scorpions to India, for performances in Mumbai and Bangalore as part of the band’s “Humanity World Tour 2007-08”. This came close on the hills of the very popular ‘Hero Honda Campus Rock Idols’, a nationwide contest of amateur rock bands that culminated into a grand finale in Delhi in the first week of December.

HERO HONDA CONSOLIDATES MARKET LEADERSHIP WITH IMPRESSIVE GROWTH OF 15% IN MARCH’08
FOR FY 2007-08, HERO HONDA OVERTAKES PREVIOUS FISCAL’S SALES TALLY, EVEN AS DOMESTIC MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY DECLINES BY MORE THAN 10 %

New Delhi, Tuesday, April 21, 2009: Achievements and Highlights for FY 07-08
o Defying the industry trend, Hero Honda achieved sales of 33,37,142 units of two-wheelers, thereby consolidating leadership in domestic motorcycles market with more than 52 per cent market share.
o Hero Honda retained the coveted position of 'World's No 1 two-wheeler company' on unit sales by a single company during calendar year 2007 for the seventh year in a row.
o Crossed half a million retail sales in the festive season in 2007, and achieved landmark cumulative sales of twenty million bikes in course of 2007.

New Delhi, March 31, 2008: Hero Honda Motors Ltd (HHML), the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, further consolidated its undisputed market leadership, reporting impressive sales numbers for the month of March. Once again, defying the industry trend, the company sold 3,20,594 units of two-wheelers in the month, a growth of 15 per cent. Hero Honda had sold 277,915 units of two-wheelers in March 2007.

The company’s total sales for the financial year 2007-08 stand at 33,37,142 two-wheelers, as compared to 33,36,756 units for the previous financial year (2006-07). This is significant in view of the severe slowdown that the domestic two-wheeler industry is going through for the past more than a year.

Mr. Pawan Munjal, Managing Director, Hero Honda Motors Ltd said, “The year 2007-08 has seen a leadership performance from us. Despite the industry slowdown, we have been able to manage positive growth thereby taking our share in the domestic motorcycle market upward of 52 per cent. At the end of the financial year, I would definitely like to thank our millions of customers across the country, who have made it possible. We will continue to focus on our customers and they can surely look forward to many more launches and various initiatives in the coming year.”

HHML’s good run through the industry slump in 2007 has been possible due to the company’s multi-focal strategy of bringing in new models and variants across segments, supporting them with innovative communication across media, leveraging properties such as cricket and entertainment for brand building and augmenting its distribution network.

Hero Honda also recently associated itself with the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a partner and is also the official sponsor of the Delhi Daredevils (Delhi’s IPL Team).

Fiscal 2007-08 saw Hero Honda launch new models across segments. The company more than doubled its volume and share in the premium segment this year, with the new all-muscle and macho Hunk, and the sporty and stylish CBZ X-treme both doing very well. Other new launches such as Splendor NXG, and refreshes of successful models including Pleasure, Super Splendor, and Passion Plus, were added to Hero Honda’s product portfolio in the FY 07-08.

The company also crossed the landmark 20 million cumulative sales during the course of year.

For further information:
Sanjiv Singh / Santanu Gogoi,
9818430943 / 9810424271.

HERO HONDA CONTINUES GROWTH MOMENTUM WITH 9.5 PER CENT INCREASE IN MAY SALES
NEW LAUNCHES SUCH AS THE REFRESHED SPLENDOR NXG & HUNK DRIVING VOLUMES IN RESPECTIVE SEGMENTS

New Delhi, Tuesday, April 21, 2009: New Delhi, June 1, 2008: Carrying on its impressive growth momentum in the new financial year (2008-09), (HHML), the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer for seven consecutive years, today reported a 9.5 per cent growth in its sales in May 2008.

Hero Honda sold 3,12,317 units of two-wheelers in May 2008, as compared to 2,85,109 units in the corresponding month last year. This comes close on the heels of a nine per cent growth the company had reported in the month of April with sales of 2,86,252 units of two-wheelers. Thus Hero Honda has already clocked a total sales of 5,98,569 units of two-wheelers in this financial year.

According to Mr. Anil Dua, Sr. Vice President (Marketing & Sales), Hero Honda Motors Ltd., “Our recent launches such as the refreshed Splendor NXG and the 150cc Hunk have been driving volumes in their respective segments. While Hunk has contributed largely to doubling our volume and share in the premium segment, the refreshed Splendor NXG has been driving the volumes in the deluxe segment. Our new campaign for Splendor NXG is currently on air on all mainline TV channels. We continue our strategy of brand building, and we will continue to utilize our various properties in the field of cricket and youth entertainment towards this end. We have carried forward our commitment to the promotion of cricket by partnering the highly-successful Indian Premier League (IPL), as well as being the official team sponsor of the Delhi Daredevils.”

Hero Honda was bestowed the “Enterprise Excellence Award 2007” by the Indian Institution of Industrial Engineering (IIIE) at an awards function held in Goa in the month of May.

HERO HONDA CONTINUES TO CONSOLIDATE MARKET LEADERSHIP WITH 27 PER CENT GROWTH IN AUGUST SALES


New Delhi, Tuesday, April 21, 2009: Reports robust sales of 305,516 units during the month

• Cumulative sales in April – August ’08 grows by 19 per cent

New Delhi, September 1, 2008: Hero Honda Motors Limited (HHML), the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, further consolidated its leadership in the domestic motorcycle market, with a robust 26.8 per cent growth in sales for the month of August 2008. The company sold 305,516 units of two-wheelers in August 2008, compared to 240,875 units in the corresponding month last year.

With this, Hero Honda’s cumulative sales in this financial year so far (April-August 2008) stands at 14,81,077 units as against 12,44,919 units in the corresponding period last year – reflecting a 19 per cent growth in cumulative sales.

This carries forward the company’s positive growth trajectory since the beginning of this financial year (2008-09), further augmenting its more than 55 per cent share in the domestic motorcycle market.

According to Mr. Anil Dua, Sr. Vice President (Marketing & Sales), Hero Honda Motors Ltd, “Our strategy is yielding results. The strategy hinges on creating winning brands across segments, investing in brand building, exploring untapped markets in rural and upcountry areas while consolidating urban presence and rapidly expanding our network. However, the industry continues to face uncertainty on account of high interest rates and overall credit squeeze. The festival month of October is going to be crucial in determining the overall outlook of the industry for the year.”

Key Hero Honda brands continue to drive strong volumes across segments - CD Deluxe in entry segment, Glamour, the new Splendor NXG, Splendor + and Passion Plus in deluxe segment, and Hunk, CBZ X-treme and Karizma in the premium segment.

Hero Honda’s scooter Pleasure has also been growing strongly, with more than 12,000 units being sold in August this year.

HERO HONDA NET PROFIT ZOOMS 31% TO Rs 275 CRORE IN Q3 (FY 2007-2008)
REPORTS TURNOVER OF Rs. 2795 CRORE RECORDS EBIDTA OF 13.95%

New Delhi, Tuesday, April 21, 2009: Q3 Highlights

Corporate performance: • Consolidated over 50% share in the domestic motorcycle market
• Reported highest ever sales in a month in October 2007 (365,022 units)
• Crossed half a million retail sales in the festive season
• Closed calendar year 2007 with sales of over 33 lakh two-wheelers

Achievements:

• Retained the coveted position of World No 1 two-wheeler company for the seventh consecutive year
• Crossed landmark sales of Two Crore bikes; celebrated the achievement with “Hero Honda BIKE-A-THON”- a nationwide marathon of Hero Honda bikes under the “Hero Honda Country” campaign

New Launches:

• Launched two new models Hunk (150cc) & refreshed Splendor+ along with a Special Edition
• Doubled volume and share in the premium segment - currently own almost 20% share

New Delhi, January 31, 2008: Hero Honda Motors Ltd. (HHML), the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, today reported 31% per cent growth in profit after tax (PAT) at Rs 275 crore for the third quarter (October-December) of this financial year (2007-08). Hero Honda’s profit after tax in the corresponding period last fiscal stood at Rs 209.18 crore.

Total Turnover (sales turnover plus other income, net of excise) grew to Rs 2795.17 crores, a growth of 3.54 per cent over Rs 2699.63 crores recorded in the corresponding period last fiscal. The company has recorded an EBIDTA margin of 13.95% in the quarter. The EBIDTA margin in the previous quarter (July-September’07) was 12.39%.

This strong financial performance comes close on the heels of the company’s good overall sales even in the face of the prevailing slowdown in the two-wheeler industry. Hero Honda’s cumulative total turnover for the first three quarters (April–December 2007) of this financial year stood at Rs. 7673.43 crores.

Hero Honda's strategy for aggressive top line growth through new product launches, brand building initiatives backed by innovative communication has resulted in market share gain across every segment. Indeed, Hero Honda’s share in domestic motorcycles market has been growing upward of 50 per cent, despite the slowdown in the two-wheeler industry.

According to Mr. Brijmohan Lall, Chairman, Hero Honda Motors Ltd., “Our performance during the third quarter of this fiscal has been very encouraging considering the current slowdown in the two-wheeler industry. We have been consistently reporting better-than-industry sales numbers, and it has also been reflected in our bottom line. We wish to thank all our customers and stakeholders for reposing their faith in our company and our products.”

Mr. Pawan Munjal, Managing Director & CEO, Hero Honda Motors Ltd. said, “Given the industry slowdown scenario, we are very enthused by our robust financial numbers for the third quarter. However, this was not unexpected. We had undertaken some strategic initiatives since the beginning of this fiscal, including a conscious effort to rationalize costs across the board, and its results are now visible. Our bottom line has seen a consistent improvement, and we have been able to demonstrate that it is possible to keep gaining market share while maintaining a robust bottom line.

“With input costs softening and our sharp focus on cost efficiencies, we should be able to further improve upon our financial results,” he added.

HERO HONDA PASSES ON EXCISE DUTY CUT BENEFIT TO CUSTOMERS


New Delhi, Tuesday, April 21, 2009: REDUCES PRICES ON ALL MODELS, RANGING FROM RS 1000/- TO RS 2400/-
SALES 265,431 UNITS OF TWO-WHEELERS IN FEBRUARY

New Delhi, March 1, 2008: Passing on the excise duty cut benefit in Budget 2008 to customers, Hero Honda Motors Ltd (HHML), the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles, today reduced prices on all its models, ranging from Rs1000/- to Rs 2400/-.

The company, which sold 265,431 units of two-wheelers in the month of February, reduced the price of Splendor+ by about Rs 1300/- (ex-showroom Delhi) and on Karizma by about Rs 2400/- (ex-showroom Delhi). Similarly, the price of its best-selling 150cc bike Hunk has been reduced by about Rs 1800/- (ex-showroom Delhi).

Mr. Pawan Munjal, MD & CEO, HHML, said “Hero Honda has taken the voice of the customer to the government, and consequently the excise duty on two-wheelers has been reduced to 12 per cent from 16 per cent. This is a welcome move, and we are happy to pass on the entire benefit to customers. The reduction in excise duty cut will enable us to draw more customers to our fold, but the basic factors causing the industry slowdown still remain unattended. Credit financing has been withdrawn in some key markets, while interest rates on consumer loans also remain very high. This credit squeeze continues to be the most critical factor adversely impacting industry growth, and we still don’t see any indication from the banks and the government to address this concern. For the industry to make a turnaround and get back on the path of growth, the government has to address these key issues.”

HERO HONDA POSTS RECORD 6 LAKH-PLUS UNITS IN RETAIL SALES IN OCTOBER 2008


New Delhi, Tuesday, April 21, 2009: New Delhi, November 1, 2008: Close on the heels of an outstanding performance in the second quarter (July – September 2008) with 50 per cent growth in net profit, Hero Honda Motors Ltd (HHML), the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer, today reported its highest-ever retail sales in a month, with more than six lakhs units of two-wheelers being sold in the festive month of October. This highest-ever retail sales in a month represents more than 12 per cent growth over its previous highest – 5.31 lakh units sold in October 2006.

The dispatch numbers for the month of October stood at 352,449 units, as compared to 365,022 two-wheelers sold in October 2007.

According to Mr. Anil Dua, Sr. Vice President (Marketing & Sales), Hero Honda Motors Ltd, "We are delighted with our retail performance in October. We have always maintained that we were expecting robust retail sales in the festive month of October, and the number of more than six lakh units in retail sales is a vindication of that. With the festive season being over now, we do expect to see a slowdown in the industry with the prevailing credit squeeze and interest rates taking their toll on consumer sentiments. Keeping this in mind, we have consciously restricted our dispatch sales in October.

"However, we will stay true to our winning strategy, and keep refreshing our product portfolio and continue to invest in brand building. We introduced four new models in the month of October, and going forward, we will be launching a few more in November as well."

Hero Honda launched four new models in the festive month – the all-new "Passion Pro Power Start", one variant – the Splendor NXG Power Start, and two refreshes - new CBZ X-treme and the Pleasure. During the coming months, the company will further augment its product portfolio with new launches across segments.

Despite all odds, Hero Honda - the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer for seven consecutive years - has been consistently strengthening its share in the domestic motorcycle market and it has been steadily moving upwards of 55 per cent. During the month of October, Hero Honda was honoured with the "NDTV Profit Business Leadership Award" in the two-wheeler category. The NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards acknowledge "the best, the brightest and the most dynamic of Indian organisations that have emerged leaders in their respective verticals and are leading India in her journey toward being an economic superpower."

HERO HONDA’S POSITIVE PERFORMANCE CONTINUES IN NOV’08
REPORTS 13% GROWTH IN CUMULATIVE SALES IN APR-NOV’08

New Delhi, Tuesday, April 21, 2009: New Delhi, December 1, 2008: Hero Honda Motors Ltd continues to buck the prevailing trend in the two-wheeler industry.

Close on the heels of record retail sales of more than 600,000 units in the festive month of October, Hero Honda today reported dispatch sales of 289,426 units of two-wheelers in November. The company had sold 288,027 units in November 2007. This achievement is significant, coming as it does immediately after the bumper festive season, when the sales are usually expected to slacken considerably.

The company’s cumulative sales in the financial year so far (April-November’08) has now risen to 25,08,214 units – a 13 per cent growth over the corresponding period last year (April-November’07) when Hero Honda had sold 22,12,535 units.

According to Mr. Anil Dua, Senior VP (Marketing & Sales), Hero Honda Motors Ltd, “Our performance in November comes against several odds. Scarcity of retail finance in many key markets and the high rates of interest remain a major concern. As the industry leader, our focus has been on driving growth despite these constraints. Therefore, our performance in November is of added significance, as it has surpassed the numbers of November’07 – which was the high-sales Diwali month last year.”

Having already launched five new models in this financial year, including variants and refreshes, Hero Honda is set to announce a few more launches in the coming weeks. The new launches will be across segments to further augment the already strong Hero Honda range.

Hero Honda brands have been driving volumes in their respective segments - CD Deluxe in the entry segment; Glamour, Splendor NXG, Splendor+ and Passion Plus in the Deluxe segment, CBZ X-treme and Hunk in the Premium segment and Pleasure in scooters.

The new CBZ X-treme, which was introduced in October, is being communicated through a new cutting-edge, fast-paced TV Commercial (TVC) currently on air across channels. The new refreshed Pleasure, which is clocking an average of approx 12,000 units per month, is also being supported by a new TVC featuring its brand ambassador Priyanka Chopra.

Hero Honda continues to invest in brand building and strengthening its association with properties such as cricket. Hero Honda was the title sponsor of the recently-concluded Hero Honda Cup One-Day International (ODI) Series between India and England which India won 5-0.

HERO HONDA’S SEPTMEBER ’08 SALES JUMP 22 PER CENT


New Delhi, Tuesday, April 21, 2009: • Reports robust sales of 385,262 units during the month
• Cumulative sales jump by 19.6 per cent
• Company launches first-of-its kind music video to celebrate 25 years of Hero Honda

New Delhi, October 1, 2008: Hero Honda Motors Limited (HHML), the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has reiterated its undisputed market leadership by recording an impressive 22.4 per cent growth in sales for the month of September 2008.

The company sold 385,262 units of two-wheelers in September 2008, compared to 314, 567 units in the corresponding month last year. With this, Hero Honda’s cumulative sales in this financial year so far (April-September 2008) stands at 18,66,349 units as against 15,59,486 units in the corresponding period last year – reflecting a robust 19.6 per cent growth in cumulative sales.

According to Mr. Anil Dua, Sr. Vice President (Marketing & Sales), Hero Honda Motors Ltd, “ It gives us immense pleasure to see our strategy consistently yielding results and the company recording progressive sales numbers in its twenty fifth year. We have been driving the growth in the industry despite the interest rate scenario and overall credit squeeze in the market remaining unchanged. With new launches on the anvil and the forthcoming festive season, we are confident of performing well in the coming month.”

Celebrating its 25th year, Hero Honda Motors Limited (HHML) released an innovative music video in the month of September. Titled “Hero Honda Dhak Dhak Go”, and involving as many as eight brand ambassadors of Hero Honda, the music video has been receiving rave reviews.

Hero Honda won the coveted, “The Most preferred Brand of two-wheelers” award at the recent CNBC Awaaz Consumer Awards 2008.

HERO HONDA’S STRONG SALES PERFORMANCE CONTINUES INTO 2008
Reports sales of 298,050 units in January 2008

New Delhi, Tuesday, April 21, 2009: New Delhi, February 1, 2008: Close on the heels of a robust bottom line growth for the third quarter ended December’07, Hero Honda Motors Ltd (HHML), the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, today reported excellent sales numbers for the month of January, yet again defying the industry trend.

Despite an industry slowdown, the company reported an impressive 298,050 unit sales for the month of January 2008, as against 297,554 in January 2007. With this, Hero Honda’s cumulative sales for the current fiscal now stand at 27,51,376 units.

HHML on Thursday reported 31 per cent growth in profit after tax (PAT) at Rs 275 crore for the third quarter (October-December) of this financial year (2007-08). Hero Honda’s profit after tax in the corresponding period last fiscal stood at Rs 209.18 crore.

According to Mr. Pawan Munjal, Managing Director & CEO, Hero Honda Motors Ltd., “The sales numbers reflect a good start to the calendar year. Given the industry performance all through this fiscal, we are extremely enthused by our robust financial numbers for Q3 as well as our outstanding sales performance this month. Our new launches have been doing very well across segments, e.g. our latest launch, the 150cc Hunk has been a big draw with our customers, and has helped us double our volume and share in the premium segment.”

Hero Honda was recently honored as the “Bike Manufacturer of the Year” at the Overdrive Awards, and also at the NDTV Profit - Car India Bike India Awards. Additionally, its premium bike 150 cc Hunk won the coveted “Viewer’s Choice Award” at the NDTV Profit - Car India Bike India Awards.

Three of Hero Honda’s leading brands also won the TNS Voice of the Customer Awards in their respective segments - TNS Voice of the Customer No1 Executive Motorcycle - Splendor NXG, No 1 standard Motorcycle - CD Deluxe and No 1 Premium Motorcycle CBZ X-treme.

Hero Honda also won two prestigious customer loyalty awards in the month of January - the “Best Customer Loyalty Program Award (Automotive)” at the recent Asia Retail Congress, and “Customer and Brand Loyalty Award” in automobile sector (two-wheelers) at the Loyalty Summit 2008. These recognitions truly exemplify the customers’ enduring trust and faith in the company and its products.

REPORTS 13% GROWTH IN CUMULATIVE SALES IN APR-NOV’08


New Delhi, Tuesday, April 21, 2009: New Delhi, December 1, 2008: Hero Honda Motors Ltd continues to buck the prevailing trend in the two-wheeler industry.

Close on the heels of record retail sales of more than 600,000 units in the festive month of October, Hero Honda today reported dispatch sales of 289,426 units of two-wheelers in November. The company had sold 288,027 units in November 2007. This achievement is significant, coming as it does immediately after the bumper festive season, when the sales are usually expected to slacken considerably.

The company’s cumulative sales in the financial year so far (April-November’08) has now risen to 25,08,214 units – a 13 per cent growth over the corresponding period last year (April-November’07) when Hero Honda had sold 22,12,535 units.

According to Mr. Anil Dua, Senior VP (Marketing & Sales), Hero Honda Motors Ltd, “Our performance in November comes against several odds. Scarcity of retail finance in many key markets and the high rates of interest remain a major concern. As the industry leader, our focus has been on driving growth despite these constraints. Therefore, our performance in November is of added significance, as it has surpassed the numbers of November’07 – which was the high-sales Diwali month last year.”

Having already launched five new models in this financial year, including variants and refreshes, Hero Honda is set to announce a few more launches in the coming weeks. The new launches will be across segments to further augment the already strong Hero Honda range.

Hero Honda brands have been driving volumes in their respective segments - CD Deluxe in the entry segment; Glamour, Splendor NXG, Splendor+ and Passion Plus in the Deluxe segment, CBZ X-treme and Hunk in the Premium segment and Pleasure in scooters.

The new CBZ X-treme, which was introduced in October, is being communicated through a new cutting-edge, fast-paced TV Commercial (TVC) currently on air across channels. The new refreshed Pleasure, which is clocking an average of approx 12,000 units per month, is also being supported by a new TVC featuring its brand ambassador Priyanka Chopra.

Hero Honda continues to invest in brand building and strengthening its association with properties such as cricket. Hero Honda was the title sponsor of the recently-concluded Hero Honda Cup One-Day International (ODI) Series between India and England which India won 5-0.