For the Munjal-owned Hero MotoCorp, the erstwhile Hero Honda, leadership in the domestic two-wheeler market has catapulted it as the largest bike manufacturer in the world.
This growth, nurtured over the last 27 years, has come on the back of product attributes such as quality and fuel efficiency, the technology for which came from Honda.
What made you part ways?
Pawan: It was time for us to get into a new mode as a group and start doing our own technological development and to take the Hero brand global. These two core issues played in our minds for a few years and induced us to go forward and talk to our partners. India is ready and we now have the capability in our engineers and technicians (to design full vehicles).
The company recently said it is setting up multiple new plants.
Pawan: During the course of the next few weeks, we will talk about the rest of our plans. We're in talks with a firm for technology, but you will know of that only in the next few days.
What are the challenges ahead?
Sunil: There are challenges, which are well-known. First, is to design our own products. Second, to expand our reach beyond India and set up our distribution globally. The biggest challenge was to replace the one of the most well established brands with a new one.
Your first full year as Hero MotoCorp. The plans for 2012?
Pawan: We have no intention of resting on our laurels. The launches that you see today are not new products, but they reflect the company's intent and vision for the future. There is a clear strategy to further consolidate our leadership position. We have a positive outlook on the New Year as we anticipate our plans taking shape both in the domestic and overseas markets.
How do you plan to boost your own R&D?
Sunil: We already have the capacity to carry out modifications to the engine and platform. Like our competitors here, we're now building the capability to build our models from scratch.