HERALD: With petrol prices going up, is making more fuel efficient two-wheeler a challenge?
YADUVINDER SINGH GULERIA: There is always an effort or a challenge which is given to the development and R&D team but whatever is being developed is based on certain parameter which has been accepted by sales. Currently all the Honda products within their segment always belong to the best mileage category.
HERALD: How are you tackling the new BS-VI engine norms taking effect from April 2020?
YSG: Not everything can be absorbed by the manufacturers. Any pricing will be depended on two or three factors. One is the kind of technology used, second could be on innovation and thirdly on economy of scale, which means what kind of volume it will generate. All these factors need engagement with all the stakeholders. We have shared our insight and knowhow with our suppliers. It is knowledge sharing but the final result on pricing is not visible on paper. However, we hope that our strategy will give us a competitive advantage in 2020.
Yes, the prices may go up and the two-wheeler market, according to us may see a slowdown in April 2020. However, there is a plenty of scope to export our Honda products made in India to many South Asian and South East Asian countries. We are prepared for all but we must provide the best to our customers and at the same time ensure that environment is aptly protected as per government norms.
HERALD: Navi was launched with lot of fanfare. However, Grazia has suddenly taken over. Any comments?
YSG: When a new segment is launched, there is a lot of initial interest in the market. Our Navi customers are highly satisfied with our product. But obviously such kind of product also comes with this disadvantage that it is very clearly a binary equation of either yes or no and there is no in between. Navi has a challenge today as it has not been able to garner those kinds of volumes as was expected. However, we continue to invest on over all brand building of Honda through Navi so that we can establish a challenge in that segment. It also brought out a new business of customisation which never existed earlier.
