Sales Showdown: Hero and Honda Rev Up for Market Supremacy in May

The battle for two-wheeler supremacy in India intensified in May 2025, with Hero MotoCorp and Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) vying for the top spot. After a brief April when Honda outpaced Hero, the latest sales figures confirm Hero MotoCorp has reclaimed its leading position in the domestic market.

 

Key Highlights

 

•⁠  ⁠Hero Leads Domestic Sales: In May 2025, Hero MotoCorp sold 488,997 two-wheelers domestically, marking a 1.99% year-on-year increase from 479,450 units in May 2024. Hero’s total sales, including exports, reached 507,701 units.

 

•⁠  ⁠Honda’s Strong but Declining Numbers: Honda’s domestic sales stood at 417,256 units in May 2025, a 7.4% decline compared to the previous year. Honda’s total sales, including exports, were 465,115 units, reflecting a 5.47% year-on-year drop.

 

•⁠  ⁠Segment Leaders: Hero continues to dominate the motorcycle segment with the iconic Splendor, while Honda’s Activa remains the best-selling scooter in India. Hero’s scooter sales grew 20.78% year-on-year, reaching 32,537 units in May 2025.

 

•⁠  ⁠New Launches and Portfolio Expansion: Both companies have refreshed their product lines—Hero with the Xoom 125, XPulse 210, and Xtreme 250R; Honda with new models like the Rebel 500, Hornet 750, and updated Activa.

 

•⁠  ⁠EV Push: Hero is ahead in the electric vehicle (EV) segment, with its Vida scooter range securing a 7.2% market share, while Honda’s EV offerings are still in their early stages.

 

Outlook

 

Hero MotoCorp’s resilience and product innovation have helped it regain the top spot, but the competition remains fierce. As both brands ramp up their EV strategies and new model launches, the battle for market leadership is set to intensify, promising exciting developments for Indian two-wheeler consumers.

 

Source: Financial Express, The Week, Hindustan Times Auto