Hero MotoCorp enters Sri Lankan market

Hero MotoCorp launched its new brand identity in the Sri Lankan market. The company has tied up with Abans group which has caters to a number of brand in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, makes the brand’s first foray into the international market since the launch of its new brand identity just over a year ago.

Under the alliance, Abans has been appointed as the sole distributor of Hero MotoCorp range of two-wheelers in Sri Lanka. These products are being distributed through a network of more than 50 outlets spread across the country, with an equal number of new outlets to be added in the next one year.

Mr. Pawan Munjal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Hero MotoCorp Ltd, launched the new brand ‘Hero’ in the presence of Mr. B Pestonjee, Director, ABANS Group. Mr. Kumar Sangakkara introduced the 125cc high performance motorcycle – ‘Glamour’, while the Miss Sri Lanka Ms. Stephanie Siriwardhana unveiled the scooter – ‘Pleasure’.

Mr.Munjal also inaugurated two new state-of-the-art Hero–Abans dealerships at Negambo Road, Peliyagoda and R.A.De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 03.

Hero has launched  twelve products in the Sri Lankan market. The range of Hero two-wheelers which will be available in the SriLankan market include successful brands across categories – the entry-level segment (HF Deluxe and HF Dawn); the Deluxe segment (Pro, Splendor NXG, Super Splendor, Glamour & Passion Pro); and the premium segment (Karizma ZMR, Hunk, Xtreme and Achiever), and the scooter Pleasure.

Full Press release

Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (HMCL), the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, today launched brand ‘Hero’ and its range of two-wheelers in Sri Lanka, marking the brand’s first foray into the international market since the launch of its new brand identity just over a year ago.

Hero MotoCorp also announced a partnership with the reputed ABANS Group of Sri Lanka to bring its two-wheelers to the country. Under the alliance, ABANS has been appointed as the sole distributor of Hero MotoCorp range of two-wheelers in Sri Lanka. These products are being distributed through a network of more than 50 outlets spread across the country, with an equal number of new outlets to be added in the next one year. Earlier today, Mr.Munjal inaugurated two new state-of-the-art Hero–Abans dealerships at Negambo Road, Peliyagoda and R.A.De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 03.

Mr. Pawan Munjal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Hero MotoCorp Ltd, launched the new brand ‘Hero’ in the presence of Mr. B Pestonjee, Director, ABANS Group. Highly-popular Sri Lankan cricket and youth icon Mr. Kumar Sangakkara introduced the 125cc high performance motorcycle – ‘Glamour’, while the stunning Miss Sri Lanka Ms. Stephanie Siriwardhana unveiled the scooter -‘Pleasure’.

Speaking at the glittering ceremony, Mr. Munjal said, “Sri Lanka has been a very important market for us, and we have a loyal customer base in this country. The fact that we have chosen Sri Lanka as the first international market to launch our new brand identity is indicative of the significant role this market plays in our plans to expand our global footprint. It gives me immense pleasure to announce the choice of ABANS group as our partner in this market. I am sure that their rich experience in this market and knowledge of the local customer will go a long way towards further strengthening our business here.”

“Our vision is to provide convenient, fuel-efficient mobility to every customer, and with our wide range of products, we are committed to serving two-wheeler customers across Sri Lanka. We are confident our products will appeal to customers across a wide price spectrum and create a new benchmark for mass mobility in Sri Lanka,” he added.

The range of Hero two-wheelers which will be available in the SriLankan market include successful brands across categories – the entry-level segment (HF Deluxe and HF Dawn); the Deluxe segment (Pro, Splendor NXG, Super Splendor, Glamour & Passion Pro); and the premium segment (Karizma ZMR, Hunk, Xtreme and Achiever), and the scooter Pleasure.

Highlighting the brand building initiatives that Hero MotoCorp will undertake in the local market, Mr. Munjal also presented a preview of the Sinhalese anthem with its theme of “There’s a Hero in each of us”. The anthem which is a remarkable portrayal of the company’s brand essence is composed and originally sung by Oscar-winning music director A. R. Rahman. The Indian version of the song has already acquired an iconic status.

The Sinhalese theme song in the form of a TV Commercial (TVC) will premiere during the ICC World Twenty 20, to be played in Sri Lanka between September17-October 7 this year. Hero MotoCorp, which is one of India’s largest corporate promoters of sports, is also a Global Partner of the ICC.

Hero MotoCorp will also soon commence its exports to new international markets in Africa and Latin America in order to reach the stated objective of 10 per cent of its total volumes from international business in the five years.

Earlier this year, Hero MotoCorp (formerly known as Hero Honda Motors

Ltd) forged alliances with the US-based Erik Buell Racing (EBR) for high-cc bikes and Austria-based AVL for engine technologies. It has also been scaling up its own in-house R&D capabilities. Through the strategic partnership with EBR, Hero MotoCorp has also made its debut in the exciting world of international motorcycle racing, by participating at the AMA Pro Racing National Guard Superbikes Championship in the US.

The New Delhi-head quartered Hero MotoCorp Ltd. has been on continued growth path since embarking on its solo journey over a year ago. The company reported its highest-ever fiscal sales of over 6.2 million two-wheelers in 2011-12.

The company has three state-of-the-art manufacturing plants – two in the northern Indian state of Haryana and one in the hill state of Uttarakhand. Hero MotoCorp also recently announced its plans to set up two new manufacturing plants and an integrated R&D Centre.