Hero MotoCorp, India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer on Monday launched their first model in the fast-growing 125cc scooter segment with the new ‘Destini 125’. Targeted at the ‘family’ buyer, Markus Braunsperger, Chief Technical Officer, Hero MotoCorp told The Pioneer, that the additional power and torque would be welcomed by users moving up from the 110cc scooter segment. In addition, the company has added their ‘i3s’ start-stop technology to the scooter, which Braunsperger said could potentially add as much as 10 per cent to the scooters fuel economy, “however, this is an inexact science, because how much additional fuel economy the start-stop will add depends on your riding style and your route.”
Sanjay Bhan, Head of Sales, Hero MotoCorp also said that the 125cc segment was growing very fast, “Suzuki and Honda are very strong in this segment with the Access and Activa 125 respectively. But we feel we can offer a great value package with your product.” The company has priced the new Destini at between Rs 54,650 and Rs 57,500 and sales will start from all Hero MotoCorp dealerships in the National Capital Region from today. A gradual rollout of the product will happen across the country in the following weeks.
While this scooter will address the ‘family’ market, Hero MotoCorp is also likely to launch another scooter with a more ‘sporty’ look in the 125cc segment by early next year to take on the Honda Grazia. According to Bhan, the 125cc scooter segment will easily cross the one million unit annual sales mark by 2019-20 if not earlier, with monthly segment sales already close to touching 100,000 units, which Bhan said will be easily crossed after the introduction of the Destini.