Building on the foothold established by Shine in the 100cc segment, India’s second largest two-wheeler maker Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) is now exploring to further expand its entry level motorcycle portfolio, according to a senior company official.
The automaker currently has only one 100cc model – Shine 100. HMSI’s Director for sales and marketing Yogesh Mathur said the company is evaluating new product opportunities to address a wider customer base amid with growing interest in sub-segments within this category.
“The Shine 100 actually caters to a particular class of consumers who is purely looking for a practical, economical, reliable and affordable bike,” Mathur said. “Shine 100 customers are very happy — the mileage is excellent, pricing is as per expectation, and quality is fantastic.”
However, he noted that the 100cc category has divided into two main customer types: one group seeking motorcycles primarily for their low cost and basic utility, while the other, though still mindful of price, also seeks out vehicles with better features and design.
“There is another set of customers in the entry level segment who has some money — not so high — but still would like to have more features and gadgets available in the product…We are evaluating catering to that segment as well, because it is also growing,” Mathru told Autocar Professional.
Currently, the Shine 100 competes more with models like the Bajaj Auto’s Platina and Hero MotoCorp’s HF Deluxe, but Honda appears to be eyeing the more aspirational buyers in the segemnt, where the Hero Splendor dominates.
“That segment is also interesting to enter,” Mathur said, hinting at the possibility of an additional model to complement the Shine 100 and cater to this evolving customer need. “We will continue to look at the ways through which we can further strengthen this 100cc portfolio.”
Earlier this year, Autocar Professional had exclusively reported that HMSI is working on a retro-styled commuter motorcycle, likely to be the MC100 Classic or the Shine 100 Classic, which is expected to launched this year.
The 100-110cc segment accounted for 46% of motorcycles volume and 29% of the total two-wheeler sales in the financial year 2025. With a 78% share of the segment, Hero MotoCorp’s dominance remains unchallenged, even as the segment shrinks.
HMSI currently holds about 6% share in the category. Expanding the portfolio could help the company challenge market leader Hero MotoCorp more aggressively and address white spaces in under-penetrated rural zones.
Even as segment’s market share has steadily fallen due to disproportionate price increases and many entry-level customers opting directly for 125cc bikes, HMSI remains confident that the 100cc motorcycle segment will continue to hold a “commanding” position in the two-wheeler market.
HMSI’s strength lies in the fast-growing 125cc and scooter segments, where the automaker has been dominating for over a decade, with models like Activa and Shine 125.
With inputs from Ketan