Hero Splendor BS6 launch in the coming few weeks. It will answer the biggest question of this BS6 transition – which engine will it come with?
As we have discussed, Hero MotoCorp would probably be caught in the biggest decision of its independent existence. The upcoming Bharat Stage VI emission norms which kick in from 1st April 2020, limits production of less efficient automobiles for the domestic market. Now, Hero dilemma is with its largest selling motorcycle Splendor.
Splendor is still equipped with the 1980’s Honda sourced 97cc engine. Hero has tried various variants around it, including its self-developed 110cc motor but nothing has worked. Sales have just failed to move. This would present Hero with the question of – whether to use a new-age self-developed engine or update the old Honda’s 97cc motor to BS6.
The problem with the first option is that – the new engine will come at the very high possibility of putting at risk Splendor’s largest seller tag. The second option, if possible, will be very resource intensive and may require exhaustive modifications to the engine, which may mean additional costs, over and above the regular costs expected for such a transition.
So far, Hero has launched its Splendor iSmart BS6 with a new, slightly bigger (than the older 110cc) engine. In a new update, the company reveals that it plans to launch almost 10 two-wheelers with the new compliance by February 2020. This list will include models like Splendor, HF Deluxe, Glamour as well as the Maestro Edge – all high selling products for the company.
Hero Caught Testing a New Bike
This means that we will get to know about Splendor’s motor in the coming few weeks. As we have maintained, this BS6 hold a lot of challenges and could turn the tables up and down for many makers. It remains to be seen, how Hero fights it out…
Source – Money Control
