Honda Stylo 160 Retro Scooter : The high-end 160cc scooter segment in India is quite niche. Recently, Honda patented the design for its premium 160cc retro scooter, the Stylo 160. While this has sparked interest, the question remains: when can we expect its arrival in India?
Recent Patents by Honda
About a week ago, Honda patented designs for four motorcycles above 500cc in India. Following this, the Japanese manufacturer also patented the design of the Honda Stylo 160. This scooter, which is currently available in Indonesia for IDR 27,745,000 (approximately Rs 1.44 lakh), features a 156.9cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine producing 15.4PS at 8500rpm and 13.8Nm at 7000rpm.
Key Features of the Stylo 160
The Honda Stylo 160 is equipped with:
- Suspension: A telescopic fork and a single shock absorber.
- Braking Systems: Two setups – 220mm disc brakes with dual-channel ABS at both ends, and a 190mm front disc with a rear drum and CBS (Combined Braking System).
- Technology: An LCD instrument console.
- Design: A rear design reminiscent of the Yamaha Fascino 125 Fi Hybrid.
Market Prospects in India
Despite the design patent, it seems highly unlikely that Honda will launch the Stylo 160 in India soon. The move to patent the design could be a strategy to secure legal rights to the names in India. Currently, Honda’s 110cc and 125cc scooters, including the Activa, Activa 125, Dio, and Dio 125, dominate the Indian market.
Sales Figures
The popularity of Honda’s current lineup is evident from the April 2024 sales figures:
- Dio and Dio 125: 12,944 units sold.
- Activa and Activa 125: 260,300 units sold.
In contrast, the 160cc scooter segment is much smaller:
- Yamaha Aerox 155: 1,902 units sold.
- Aprilia SXR 160: 278 units sold.
Challenges and Market Viability
Introducing a 160cc, liquid-cooled scooter from Honda would likely be prohibitively expensive, and the sales numbers might not justify the cost. Back in 2020, Honda imported a few Forza 300 units via the CBU (Completely Built Up) route to test the market and had plans to launch the Forza 350. However, this plan was shelved due to multiple factors, including the Covid pandemic and a general shift from petrol-powered scooters to electric ones.
Conclusion
While the design patent for the Honda Stylo 160 has generated excitement, the actual launch in India seems improbable in the near future. The high costs and limited market size pose significant challenges. For now, Honda continues to focus on its successful 110cc and 125cc scooter lineup, which remains a favorite among Indian consumers.
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