Hero Honda History
1. Formation of Hero Honda (1984)
Hero Honda was established in 1984 as a joint venture between:
- The Munjal family leads Hero Cycles Ltd. (India).
- Honda Motor Company (Japan) is one of the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers.
The goal was simple yet powerful: to offer reliable, fuel-efficient motorcycles to the growing Indian middle class. This partnership brought together Hero’s manufacturing and distribution strength and Honda’s cutting-edge motorcycle technology.
2. The Game Changer: CD100 (1985)
In 1985, Hero Honda launched its first motorcycle, the CD100. It featured:
- A 97cc, 4-stroke engine.
- Excellent fuel efficiency (over 80 km/l).
- Smooth performance and long-term reliability.
The tagline “Fill it, Shut it, Forget it” became iconic, emphasizing low maintenance and high mileage. The CD100 became a runaway success, reshaping the Indian two-wheeler industry.
3. Growth & Dominance (1990s – 2000s)
Hero Honda quickly became a household name, especially in rural and urban India. Over the years, they launched several hugely successful models:
- Splendor (1994) – The most popular commuter bike ever in India.
- Passion (2001) – A stylish, youth-focused version of the Splendor.
- CBZ (1999) – One of India’s first performance bikes.
- Karizma (2003) – A bold step into the premium bike segment.
Hero Honda became the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer by volume by delivering fuel efficiency, affordability, and after-sales support.
4. Achievements & Milestones
- 2001: Achieved global leadership in two-wheeler sales.
- 2005: Crossed 10 million motorcycles sold.
- 2008: Sold over 3 million units in a single year.
- 2009: Introduced new bikes with a sportier and modern design.
Hero Honda’s strong dealer network and deep market penetration made it a trusted brand across generations.
5. The Split with Honda (2010)
Despite immense success, the partnership faced growing strategic differences:
- Hero wanted more independence in product development and exports.
- Honda planned to expand its operations in India.
In 2010, Hero Group purchased Honda’s 26% stake for around $850 million, ending the joint venture after 26 successful years.
6. Hero MotoCorp is Born (2011–Present)
In 2011, the company was rebranded as Hero MotoCorp Ltd. Hero continued using Honda’s technology under a licensing agreement until 2014.
Post-split, Hero MotoCorp:
- Established its R&D centres in India and Germany.
- Expanded globally to over 40 countries.
- Formed new technology partnerships (e.g., Erik Buell Racing, AVL).
- Continued leading the Indian market with models like HF Deluxe, Splendor, Glamour, and Xtreme.
7. Legacy of Hero Honda
Hero Honda remains a legendary name in Indian motorcycling history. It revolutionized the industry by:
- Making motorcycles affordable and efficient.
- Creating iconic, long-lasting models.
- Building customer trust across urban and rural India.