Domestic Up 2.85%, Exports Surge 32% – Festive Momentum Builds
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) closed the first month of the festive season on a high note, dispatching 5,68,164 two-wheelers in September 2025—a solid 5.44% year-over-year increase from 5,38,852 units in the same month last year. Domestic sales climbed a modest 2.85% to 5,05,693 units, while exports roared ahead with a whopping 32.43% surge to 62,471 units, underscoring HMSI’s strengthening global footprint amid India’s booming two-wheeler market.
As Honda 2W sales September 2025 figures roll in, this performance—coupled with a 6% month-on-month uptick from August’s 5,34,861 units—positions the Japanese giant as a resilient No. 2 player behind Hero MotoCorp’s 6,87,220 units, outpacing TVS Motor’s 5,41,064. With Navratri deals and Diwali on the horizon, HMSI’s VP Marketing & Sales, Yogesh Mathur, hailed the “strong pick-up,” attributing it to GST 2.0 price cuts that made scooters like the Activa more accessible. Exports now account for 11% of total volumes, a bright spot as HMSI eyes 50 lakh annual units by FY26 end.
The September surge caps a resilient Q2 FY26 (July-September), where total sales hit 16,18,403 units—a 3.69% YoY growth from 15,60,804, with domestic volumes up 2.15% to 14,53,045 and exports leaping 19.54% to 1,65,358. Year-to-date FY26 (April-September) stands at 29,91,024 units, a slight 3.94% dip from last year’s 31,13,596, but with domestic sales at 26,79,507 and exports at 3,11,517, recovery signals are clear. Scooters drove ~60% of domestic dispatches, led by the Activa lineup, while premium bikes like the CB350C Special Edition (launched at ₹2.02 lakh) added flair for urban riders.
Model Insights: Scooters Steer the Ship, Premium Bikes Gain Traction
HMSI’s portfolio remains scooter-heavy, with the Activa family (including Activa 6G and 125) anchoring volumes at an estimated 3.5 lakh units in September—up 3% YoY on affordability plays post-GST tweaks. The Shine 125 and SP125 commuters followed, capturing budget-conscious commuters amid rising fuel costs (up 5% YoY per PPAC).
In the premium segment, the CB350C Special Edition—unveiled in Bengaluru with retro vibes and bookings open at BigWing dealers—boosted motorcycle sales by 8%, appealing to millennials eyeing classics under ₹2.5 lakh. Exports leaned on commuter exports to Latin America and Africa, where Activa’s reliability shines.
| Segment | September 2025 Share | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Scooters | ~60% (3.03 lakh units) | Activa series affordability |
| Commuters | ~25% (1.26 lakh) | Shine/SP125 post-GST cuts |
| Premium Bikes | ~10% (50k+) | CB350C launch buzz |
| Exports | 11% (62k units) | Activa to emerging markets |
Key Drivers: Festive Fireworks and Global Push
GST 2.0 reforms slashed prices by up to ₹5,000 on entry models, unlocking pent-up demand—domestic MoM growth hit 5.13% from August’s 4,81,021 units. Navratri campaigns across 13 cities (Ahmedabad to Trivandrum) promoted safe riding, boosting footfall by 15%. Exports’ 32% surge reflects HMSI’s 200,000+ cumulative milestone, with new markets in ASEAN and Europe via the ‘MyHonda-India’ app for global tracking.
Challenges? A high YoY base from 2024’s post-monsoon rush and chip lingering effects tempered growth, but festive sentiment—Dhanteras deals incoming—could push October to 6 lakh+.
Expert Views and Social Buzz
Analysts forecast a Q3 FY26 rebound to 18 lakh units. “HMSI’s export engine and scooter stronghold will fuel Diwali dominance,” per ETAuto’s take, noting Hero’s lead but Honda’s urban edge. GaadiWaadi praised the “consistent momentum,” tying it to MotoGP wins in Catalonia, San Marino, and Japan, plus the IDEMITSU Honda India Talent Cup in Chennai—nurturing young racers amid 20% youth participation rise.
X chatter is upbeat, with @RushLaneNews’ sales post hitting 3K views: “Honda 2W at 5.68L in Sep—exports up 32%! Activa army unstoppable? #HondaSales.” Replies like @BikeFanaticIN’s “CB350C got me hooked—finally a retro rival to RE Classic!” garnered 50 likes. On Reddit’s r/IndiaMotorcycles, a thread on exports racked 200 upvotes: “32% surge? Honda’s going global while Hero plays domestic.”
For U.S. readers eyeing international two-wheelers, Honda 2W sales September 2025’s export boom mirrors Gold Wing’s global appeal—reliable commuters for emerging markets could inspire affordable CBR variants stateside. Economically, it bolsters India’s $20B two-wheeler sector, creating 10,000 jobs at HMSI’s Manesar and Narsapura plants amid 7% GDP growth.
Lifestyle perks? Cheaper Activas mean more gig workers zipping through Mumbai traffic, cutting commute times 20%. Politically, it aligns with Modi’s EV push, though HMSI’s hybrid teases for 2026 could accelerate green shifts.
User intent? “Honda Activa September 2025 deals” queries up 60% per Google Trends—scout hmsi.com for EMI offers. Set alerts for Diwali specials.
In wrapping up, Honda 2W’s 5.68 lakh sales in September 2025, with domestic gains and 32% export surge, signals festive firepower; as Q3 heats up, HMSI’s scooter stronghold and global ambitions point to a record-breaking year-end rally.
By Sam Michael
October 3, 2025
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