Honda at a recent round table conference, apart from revealing its new RETAIN.EXPAND.CREATE business plan, talked about their CBR650F which will become the new flagship for the company apart from the bigger CBUs. The motorcycle has been awaited ever since Honda showcased and confirmed it for our market last year at the Auto Expo, however, they have been delaying it for the last few months. But there are a few new details that they have officially talked about on how do they plan to market their smallest four cylinder motorcycle in India.
In the words of Mr Yadvinder S Guleria, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, HMSI:
“For our flagship model CBR 650F, Honda is innovating by bringing a new premium distribution format in 20 top priority cities.” This means that the company is planning to launch this motorcycle in 20 Indian cities, and sell them in dedicated sections of existing dealerships.
There will be a separate trained sales team which will be well versed in handling customers who are buying a four cylinder mill. The CBR650F will be a local assembly (CKD) and will carry about five percent local content, with the rest of it being imported. They intend to start its production within two months and a launch in July or August is, hence, expected. Honda has not given any hints of its pricing yet!
Related: Honda to Launch ‘Revolutionary’ Model in India This Financial Year
The UK version of the CBR 650F is powered by a 649 cc liquid cooled fuel injected in-line four pot mill producing 87 PS of maximum power at 11,000 rpm and 63 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm. It has a 17.3 litre fuel tank and tips the scale at 211 kilos. The ground clearance is 130 mm while the seat height is 810 mm. So, will you wait…?
