Hero vs Honda: Two-Wheeler Sales Battle Heats Up in FY2026
The competition for the top position in India’s two-wheeler market has intensified once again. Hero MotoCorp has retained its number one position in FY2026, selling approximately 6.07 million units in the domestic market. Meanwhile, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India secured the second spot with 5.75 million units.
Despite strong expectations that Honda might overtake Hero this year, the latest figures have proved otherwise. In fact, the gap between the two companies has widened to over 300,000 units in the domestic market.
Category |
March 2026 |
March 2025 |
FY 2026 |
FY 2025 |
| Motorcycle | 532,383 | 506,641 | 5,842,549 | 5,476,495 |
| Scooters | 65,815 | 42,963 | 626,285 | 422,692 |
| Total Sales | 598,198 | 549,604 | 6,468,834 | 5,899,187 |
| Domestic | 552,505 | 510,086 | 6,066,048 | 5,611,758 |
| Exports | 45,693 | 39,518 | 402,786 | 287,429 |
Hero’s Biggest Strength: Commuter Bikes
Hero MotoCorp’s dominance continues to be driven by its strong lineup of commuter motorcycles. Models like the Hero Splendor remain extremely popular across rural and urban markets.
Its wide service network, affordability, and fuel efficiency make Hero a preferred choice, especially in smaller towns and villages.
Honda’s Strength: Scooter Segment
Honda’s biggest strength lies in the scooter segment, led by the iconic Honda Activa. However, competition in this category has increased significantly.
Brands like TVS Motor Company and Suzuki Motorcycle India have introduced strong alternatives, making the segment more competitive than ever.
Hero’s Strategy Shift: Beyond Budget Bikes
Hero MotoCorp is now expanding beyond its traditional commuter segment. The company is focusing more on:
- Mid-size motorcycles
- Premium sporty scooters
- Electric vehicles
Its EV sub-brand, Vida, recorded nearly threefold growth in registrations in FY2026. However, it still trails behind leading EV players in total volumes.
Global Sales: A Much Closer Fight
When exports are included, the competition becomes even tighter:
- Hero MotoCorp: 6.47 million units
- Honda: 6.37 million units
The gap narrows to just 100,000 units globally, making it a neck-and-neck race.
Note: Hero MotoCorp continues to dominate India’s two-wheeler market, thanks to its strong commuter portfolio. However, with Honda closing the gap globally and increasing competition from brands like TVS and Suzuki, the battle for the top spot is far from over.
