Major Two-Wheeler Manufacturers To Skip 2020 Auto Expo

For those of you looking forward to exciting new bikes at the 2020 Auto Expo, brace yourselves for some shock. Several big motorcycle manufacturers like Hero MotoCorp, Honda and TVS have confirmed that they will be giving this edition a miss. Yamaha is also likely to pull out of the event. And with the likes of Bajaj and Royal Enfield already absent, the two-wheeler contingent isn’t looking too healthy for 2020.

The industry as a whole has been experiencing sluggish demand of late, resulting in a build-up of BS4 inventory which will become obsolete from April 2020. The recent implementation of compulsory ABS/CBS norms drove up the price of many models, and updating them to adhere to BS6 norms will only increase costs even further.

India’s largest manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp, has cited these same reasons for pulling out of the event in an official statement.

It says, "The domestic two-wheeler industry has been passing through a time of volatility, with market demand still continuing to be sluggish. Notwithstanding these challenges, Hero MotoCorp - and indeed the entire industry - is gearing up for the migration to the new emission norms ahead of the mandatory deadline of April 1, 2020. At a time such as this, it is prudent for us to prioritise our resources towards meeting business objectives for the benefit of our customers and other stakeholders.

In the midst of these significant transitions, the Auto Expo - The Motor Show - is going to be held in Greater Noida in early February next year. As the market leader of the industry, Hero MotoCorp has always been a flagship participant at the Auto Expo in the previous years. However, participation in the Expo would require months of preparation and allocation of massive resources - both in terms of financial spends and manpower. In keeping with the prioritised objectives, the Company has decided after much deliberation, to skip the upcoming Auto Expo."

Hero has historically had one of the largest and most interesting pavillions at the show, often displaying exciting new concepts and ideas while also showcasing the best of its existing lineup. We recently came across spec sheets for the new BS6-compliant Splendor iSmart which we expect to be launched by the end of this year.

The absence of Bajaj also means the absence of KTM, despite the Austrian manufacturer having many exciting new launches lined up for next year. TVS’ plans for the future are equally captivating, since they include the launch of its first cruiser, the Zeppelin, as well an all-new RTR 200 and the introduction of a naked Apache RTR 310.

With KTM expected to unveil a new model at this year’s India Bike Week, and TVS establishing its own MotoSoul bike festival, it seems more and more manufacturers are shying away from the Auto Expo.

With a majority of the country’s largest manufacturers absent from the event, the focus will be on smaller manufacturers and startups, specifically electric mobility startups. These have been growing in number over recent years and the products they have been putting out have also become more professional and well-finished with time. It will be interesting to see what’s on display this year, and what the future looks like for two-wheelers in India.