[RahulNagaraj]

According to a media report, Honda is willing to give riders a chance to test out its latest scooter, the EM1 e:.

The two-wheeler brand has been on a hiring spree between August 5 and 18, recruiting 500 riders and giving them its EM1 e: electric scooter. Interested riders can apply, and those selected will be given the EM1 e: electric scooter, a Honda Mobile Power Pack e:, an electric charger and a top box for the duration of the test period - which is 60 days. The riders will be responsible for the scooter's storage (home or work), electricity/toll bills or any flat tyre repairs during the 2-month test period.



In addition to this, the testers must also agree to a few rules, such as what to do in case the scooter is involved in an accident, a stipulation in writing that you're not responsible for what happens to the e-scooter in case of a natural disaster during the 60 days and that testers will return the scooter to Honda at the end of the campaign. However, Honda will provide the option for testers to buy the scooter directly from them after the loan period.

In return, Honda will encourage participants to post about their EM1 e: electric scooters on social media.

The campaign though, is currently limited to interested riders based in Tokyo, Japan, only.

Source: RideApart

Link to Team-BHP news

[Mrs&Mr_Shenu]

Eagerly Waiting for such an option in India .

Good initiative will be to provide such vehicle to Team BHP Members so that review is unbiased, unfiltered and detailed to Core...

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Mrs&Mr_Shenu

Eagerly Waiting for such an option in India .

Unbelievable in today's boring marketing world, but in the 1990s, Daewoo India boss S.G. Awasthi offered the Cielo to 200 people for a 1.5 year test-drive (or was it 2 years?). You could keep the car with you for the duration and then return it, no questions asked, no money paid.

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by GTO

Unbelievable in today's boring marketing world, but in the 1990s, Daewoo India boss S.G. Awasthi offered the Cielo to 200 people for a 1.5 year test-drive (or was it 2 years?).

Wow! I had no idea about this. How did they go about their selection pool I wonder. Exiting Daewoo HNI customers? Vendor ecosystem? Media?

[NomadSK]

Originally Posted by GTO

Unbelievable in today's boring marketing world, but in the 1990s, Daewoo India boss S.G. Awasthi offered the Cielo to 200 people for a 1.5 year test-drive (or was it 2 years?). You could keep the car with you for the duration and then return it, no questions asked, no money paid.

This reminds me when BMW F 650 Funduro was about to be launched in India in mid 90's, they scouted for the riders in Delhi University college campuses and only criteria was to have a valid DL. One of my friend got the opportunity to have the bike for a month, fuel bills were paid and in addition got some paltry daily allowance. I'm not sure how insurance was taken care of, but he had a ball of a time for that duration.

Work was to take it and show off the bike at various different Delhi colleges. And till today he has stories to share about it and we went to "Appu Ghar" on that, Delhi people would know.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Axe77

How did they go about their selection pool I wonder.

It was open to all! IIRC, big ads in mainstream paper media. Maybe even boards around the city? Memory is a bit hazy, but I remember the flutter & buzz it created in the market. Things are so boring today. All car manufacturers care about is social media & sponsored articles. No innovation in marketing at all.

Originally Posted by NomadSK

This reminds me when BMW F 650 Funduro was about to be launched in India in mid 90's, they scouted for the riders in Delhi University college campuses and only criteria was to have a valid DL.

Haha! Thanks for sharing that interesting story. I remember the F 650 Funduro for its price cuts & volatile pricing. How it went from an overpriced bike to being the steal of the decade!

Originally Posted by sidindica

F650, 652 cc, 48 bhp single cylinder.

Launch price: 5,30,000
price cut after 18 months: 4,10,000
last lot sold for 2,15,000.

[anay3000]

The campaign though, is currently limited to interested riders based in Tokyo, Japan, only.

Had my hopes up for a second. Please please, let this be released in India. My Aviator is on it's last legs, so to speak.

[sandeepmohan]

This is a nice way to gain real world user feedback. Fast. Not spend the next 5 years testing the vehicle in a factory (in typical Japanese fashion), which can never replicate real world use. A simulated setup can only give you certain amount of data.

You can learn a lot in two months and then make those corrections before releasing the product to market. Its better than releasing a half baked product and deal with endless lines at the dealership and customer complaints.

Its also a Marketing strategy. It piques interest from people around, friends of these riders. It all works to Honda's benefit.

You want to crush the market? You release a product that is flawless. The day Honda launches an Electric Activa, that will probably be the end for the rest of the E-scooter market.