Honda Achiever: Alloy wheels!

Without further ado, here we go again... Here's the full text of the press release below. But before you go into that, here's my take. The Achiever is one of my personal favourites in the 150cc class and this can only help. I haven't swung a leg over but if the alloy wheels don't destroy the feel of the bike, this will be a honker of a bike. Too bad they didn't change the panels, then.

HERO HONDA LAUNCHES THE NEW ACHIEVER
Strengthens Strong Presence In The Premium Segment With Three New Launches This Fiscal – CBZ X-treme, Karizma and now, Achiever The New Achiever

• Cast wheel now comes as standard fitment
• 5-spoke, black matted cast wheel with disc brake
• New set of body colors and graphics
• Body colored painted rear grip

New Delhi, March 30, 2007: Hero Honda Motors Ltd (HHML), the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, today augmented its strong presence in the premium segment with the launch of the new Achiever. The new Achiever now comes with 5 spoke black colored cast wheel, and its new body colored rear grip and the new graphics give the 150cc bike an attractive look.

The launch of the new Achiever makes it as many as eight new product introductions (including variants) in the current financial year (2006-07) by Hero Honda. The new Achiever comes in 5 exciting body colours namely, force silver metallic, palace maroon, candy blazing red, magnetic blue metallic and black. Front disk brake and cast wheels come as standard fitment. Achiever is available in 2 variants – kick start and self. The new motorcycle is priced at Rs 52,650/- and Rs 54,950/- respectively for two variants (ex-showroom Delhi).

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Pawan Munjal, Managing Director, HHML said, “Our effort has always been to meet customer requirements. So even within the premium segment, we now have three different brands catering specific sub-segments. Our recent launches in this segment, CBZ X-treme and the new Karizma, appeal to customers who are looking for sporty and stylish bikes to make a lifestyle statement. The new Achiever addresses the customers looking for a strong powerful bike for commuting purpose. We believe that the new Achiever snugly fits into that space within the premium segment.”

It’s a multi-pronged strategy which has seen HHML continue its strong growth momentum after beginning the year 2007 on a high note. The strategy has been to bring out products to meet customer requirements across segments, provide value-added services, support the new products with extensive 360 degrees communication, and leverage longstanding Hero Honda brand properties for brand building. While highly popular brands such as Splendor and Passion Plus continue to bring in the large volumes and keep consolidating the company’s stronghold on the deluxe segment, the newly-launched CD Deluxe has been clocking impressive numbers to build HHML’s presence in the entry segment.

The other big launch, CBZ X-treme has been clocking an impressive 15,000 to 20,000 units per month, and has already crossed the 50,000 mark in a very short time since its launch late last year. It is the success of these new products launched during this financial year, CBZ X-treme, Glamour with alloy wheels, CD Deluxe and the new Karizma, as also the aggressive marketing campaigns, which have helped HHML register better-than-industry growth in last few months.