Words: Aninda Sardar
There are plenty of people who would think of Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) as a manufacturer of tried and tested conventional two-wheelers. Like the best-selling Activa. But every now and then the two-wheeler giant from the Land of the Rising Sun stuns the world with a break from tradition. HMSI did so long ago when it launched style into the scooter world with the Dio. The act was repeated at the Auto Expo last year with the launch of the outrageously desirable Navi. Now, Honda is hoping its latest venture, a 110cc scooter, will Cliq with people just as well as the previous two offerings.
The unisex moto-scooter was launched today in Jaipur at Rs 42,999, ex-showroom, Delhi. It is powered by the proven 8PS 110cc single cylinder engine that also powers other scooters bearing the wing logo. Needless to say the engine, which also features Honda Eco Technology or HET is BS IV compliant and gets Honda’s signature Combi-brakes with an equaliser technology that distributes brakeforce proportionately between front and rear wheels. There are numerous other features such as under-seat USB power socket for charging a mobile phone, maintenance free battery and block pattern tubeless tyres that Honda says will provide extra grip on patchy roads.
“With the highly increasing demand and varied customer needs, this segment is poised for sub segmentation. As the leaders of the scooter category, Honda has developed the Cliq with additional values of comfort and convenience, which should address the needs of customers,” said Minoru Kato, President and CEO, HMSI.
“The Cliq is a perfect blend of practicality, versatility, and value for money. Breaking the price barrier of automatic transmission on two wheels, only Honda as the market leader in automatic scooters with its unparalleled economies of scale and assured trust could challenge traditional preferences by bringing this kind of disruption in the 100-110cc segment,” said Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Senior Vice President – Sales and Marketing, HMSI.