In the Asian market, 150cc naked bikes are now considered the standard commuter motorcycle, as against the smaller 125cc versions of the past. Nearly all manufacturers have at least one entry-level 150cc model, and a premium model of similar displacement featuring better technology and enhanced styling. Such is the case with Honda, too, particularly in India, as the brand is set to release a new model by 2023 to target the premium segment.
More specifically, Honda has the utility-focused Unicorn as its entry-level offering in India, a model that has been doing rather well in terms of sales, owing to its low price tag and workhorse nature. Where Honda has been struggling, however, is in the premium segment, wherein the XBlade has been returning rather lackluster sales figures. In fact, according to a recent report by the Society of Indian Auto Makers (SIAM), only 3,193 units of the XBlade were sold to dealers—and that’s not even the final end-user sales figure.
