Hero MotoCorp readies up 3 new engines for current bike range

Indian auto giant Hero MotoCorp is the world's largest two wheeler maker by volumes and has been striking out on its own for the past couple of years after terminating its joint venture with Japanese automaking giant Honda. The 27 year old joint venture, signed in 1983, ran all the way up to 2010, when Hero's Board agreed to buy out Honda's stake. Honda will allow Hero MotoCorp to use its engine technology on the latter's motorcycles until 2014.  

Note: The Hero Splendor 100cc motorcycle shown in this report is illustrative in nature.  

With an eye on the future, Hero MotoCorp has managed to develop three new engines that will replace Honda's motors on a multitude of Hero motorcycles including best sellers such as the Splendor and the Passion. According to a report on the TimesOfIndia, the three, newly developed engines come with capacities of 100cc, 110cc and 250cc. Hero's major volumes spinners include the best selling Splendor, Passion and Dawn range of 100cc commuter motorcycles. 

The new crop of 100cc and 110cc four stroke engines are expected to power these commuter motorcycles while the 250cc motor could power Hero's top end offerings such as the Karizma R and the Karizma ZMR. Hero MotoCorp has been working with a range of engine technology suppliers such as Ricardo, AVL Austria and Erik Buell Racing, in order to develop new products even as the Indian major goes about establishing an independent Research and Development wing. 

However, it remains unclear as to whether the new crop of four stroke engines have been developed indigenously by Hero or whether they've been developed with inputs from Hero's technology partners.  The 100cc engine is a vertically inclined unit and has been developed specifically with the Nigerian market in mind. It may be noted that Hero MotoCorp is aggressively targeting export markets across the world, with new markets in South America and Africa already playing host to Hero's motorcycle range.

When the Indian two wheeler major was in the Hero-Honda joint venture, terms of the agreement precluded Hero from selling its motorcycles in export markets apart from Nepal and Sri Lanka. With the joint venture now defunct, Hero is looking at export markets for a large chunk of its yearly volumes even as competition in the Indian two wheeler market has been hotting up with Bajaj Auto and Honda targeting Hero in various segments of the market. 

The 110cc four stroke engine is expected to make an appearance on Hero MotoCorp's commuter motorcycle range from the festive season of 2014. A launch time frame for newly developed 250cc four stroke engine hasn't yet been revealed. Even so, the end of 2014 could mark a complete revamp of Hero MotoCorp's motorcycles range, given the expiry of Hero's technology sharing agreement with Honda.