Here is the Real Reason – Why is Honda NOT Launching New CBR250R or CBR300R in India & You Will be Surprised

So, let us understand launching a new model costs the company a lot of money. Its magnitude depends on how deep they want to go. It is an investment in a hope that sales would propel with new-gen/facelift/refreshed model.

Generally a new model of any motorcycle is not offered voluntarily – it depends upon a myriad of reasons; competition, sales and how important that model is for the company etc. On this pretext, let us talk about the CBR250R.

Honda launched the CBR250R in India way back in March 2011, so it has been five years and the motorcycle has remained essentially the same! CBR250R is an international model and in many markets abroad it has received significant updates as well as power increments and other mechanical changes with time. A few days back, in an exclusive, we told you that Honda doesn’t have any plans to bring the updated CBR250R or the CBR300R in India this year as well. (here is the link to the story)

CBR250R 5 Years Evolution No change

So, if they have the product (internationally) and it would, more or less only require approving the new model to be shipped to India, why is Honda not really launching it here? We tell you the major reason and you may end up getting surprised…

CBR250R Sales

CBR250R has sold 3322 units in this financial year 2015-16 (ie from April 2015 to January 2016 – 10 months). It is an average of 332 units every month.

Now, when you compare this with its corresponding sales of last year you would understand the story. Last financial year, during the same period, Honda managed to sell only 1363 units at an average of 136 units every month. This, basically means, that in the current fiscal, Honda has managed to sell almost 2.5 times more CBRs than what it did last year and as we said, it is the same old motorcycle.

2014-honda-cbr300r-red
CBR300R

Just to give you a perspective, here are two more surprising evidences…

  • CBR’s current sales are almost the same as what Hero achieved with Karizma twins – which essentially means, CBR250R is almost outselling (not one but) two half-priced motorcycles combined despite its age!
  • Here is a big one – per month average of CBR250R is more than the average of one motorcycle between RC390 or Duke 390! In simple words, if there would have been a single KTM 390, CBR250R would have outsold it!

When we look at its competition, we see that there is nothing apart from Mojo that competes with it directly. And Mojo’s impact on its (CBR’s) sales will only be known in the times to come.

CBR250R vs KTM 390 Mojo Karizma - Sale

So, now you tell me, if you are Honda’s CEO – will you really take all the pains and invest money and time in preparing and bringing either the new 29 PS dual headlamp CBR250R or the bigger CBR300R into India if customers are buying your five year old product more than what they were last year and more than the very established competition?

Also Read: Top Speed Comparison of All Existing 200 cc Motorcycles

Complete sales data is sourced from SIAM and analysed to give you the bigger picture. If you like it do share it with your friends…