Before credit cards, before smartphones, even before cable TV, there was one dream parked outside almost every Indian home. A black and silver motorcycle. Maybe you learned to ride on one. Maybe your dad rode it to work. From first salary bikes to college commutes, from wedding preps to family road trips, Hero has quietly stayed with most of us through it all. It began in the ’80s as Hero Honda, a name every Indian household was familiar with. Today, it has evolved into Hero MotoCorp Ltd, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer. But behind that global title lies a deeply Indian journey. One that didn’t just sell bikes, but built memories.

Now, as one of the top Nifty Auto companies, and with a growing focus on electric vehicles and global mobility, Hero MotoCorp is entering a new era. It’s worth pausing to look back at Hero MotoCorp history!

Hero MotoCorp History: The Journey of India’s Two-Wheeler Icon

In the early 1980s, the roads in India were changing. The demand for affordable, fuel-efficient motorcycles was growing, but options were limited. That’s when two giants from opposite sides of the world came together. 

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One was Hero Cycles from India, led by the Munjal family. The other was Honda Motor Company from Japan. In 1984, they formed a joint venture and named it Hero Honda Motors Limited.

In 1985, the company launched its first motorcycle, the CD100. It came with a slogan that soon became a part of every Indian home — “Fill it, Shut it, Forget it”. This wasn’t just clever marketing. It was a promise of fuel efficiency that the bike truly delivered on.

By 1987, Hero Honda had already sold over 1 lakh motorcycles. People trusted the brand. In 1994, it launched the Splendor, a bike that would go on to become a legend in its own right. Within a few years, Splendor became not only the most loved motorcycle in India but also the world’s best-selling two-wheeler model.

Through the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hero Honda continued to launch new bikes like the Passion, Karizma, and Hunk. 

It built massive manufacturing plants in places like Gurugram and Neemrana. By 2001, it had officially become the largest two-wheeler manufacturer in India, and later, the world.

But as the company grew, so did the differences between the partners. 

While Hero wanted to expand into international markets and have control over sourcing components, Honda preferred a more restricted setup. There were also disagreements over technology sharing and royalty payments. Eventually, it was clear that the partnership had run its course.

In December 2010, Hero Group decided to buy out Honda’s 26% stake. 

The deal was huge, worth over ₹6,400 crore at the time. Honda agreed to exit, allowing Hero to chart its own path. A special purpose vehicle was created to fund the buyout, and private equity firms like KKR, TPG, and Warburg Pincus came on board.

With Honda out, it was time for a new identity. 

On 29 July 2011, the company officially changed its name to Hero MotoCorp Ltd. Just weeks later, the brand unveiled a new logo at a special event in London, during an India vs England cricket match. 

Now free from previous restrictions, Hero MotoCorp began expanding globally. It entered markets across Africa, Latin America, West Asia, and Bangladesh. In 2014, the company signed a ₹254 crore joint venture with the Nitol-Niloy Group in Bangladesh. By 2017, they were manufacturing bikes locally under the name HMCL Niloy Bangladesh Ltd, with Hero owning a majority stake.

Over the next few years, Hero MotoCorp kept innovating. It launched new models, invested in R&D, and built world-class tech centres in India and Germany. It also made strategic investments in electric mobility by partnering with Ather Energy, Harley-Davidson, and Zero Motorcycles.

In 2021, the company launched VIDA, a dedicated brand for electric scooters. This was India’s first fully integrated EV platform with charging, service, and sales under one umbrella. 

Between 2022 and 2025, Hero MotoCorp showed how a traditional company can adapt and grow in a changing market. Even as the world moved towards electric vehicles, Hero stayed strong in its base segment—commuter bikes. In 2022, the company faced a challenge when a ₹1,000 crore tax issue hit the news. The stock was affected, but Hero’s core strength in affordable two-wheelers helped it bounce back. That same year, the company took early steps into the electric vehicle (EV) space, investing in startups like Ather Energy, which is known in India for making smart EV scooters.

In 2023, Hero MotoCorp share price went up by more than 50% within the year, closing at around ₹4,140. A big moment came with the return of the Karizma XMR, a premium sporty bike that got attention from younger buyers. Hero also launched updated versions of its top models like Splendor Plus XTEC and Glamour XTEC, packed with digital meters, Bluetooth features, and better mileage. These launches helped Hero retain its lead in the two-wheeler market while giving tough competition in the new-age tech space.

By 2024, Hero set up a factory in the Philippines, began selling more in markets like Mexico and Southeast Asia, and strengthened its global brand through tie-ups with Harley-Davidson and Zero Motorcycles.

Recently, Hero invested over ₹525 crore to acquire a 32.5% stake in Euler Motors, entering the electric three-wheeler segment, which is seeing high demand in Indian cities. 

But 2025 also brought challenges. The Hero MotoCorp share price dipped to ₹3,466 in March before recovering to ₹3,930 by July. Hero briefly lost its top spot in domestic two-wheeler sales to Honda and TVS, and there were a few leadership exits. 

About Hero MotoCorp: Riding With India, For the World

Hero MotoCorp Ltd is not just India’s leading two-wheeler manufacturer. It is the largest in the world by unit sales. As of July 10th, 2025, Hero MotoCorp Ltd is the ninth largest company in the Nifty Auto index, based on market cap. 

With a presence in over 48 countries and more than 124 million happy customers, the company has redefined mobility in both urban and rural India.

Hero MotoCorp Ltd is the #1 two-wheeler manufacturer in the world by volume, trusted by millions globally. With a presence in 48 countries, Hero MotoCorp serves 124 million+ happy customers and counting. Backed by 11,000+ customer touchpoints, Hero MotoCorp has built a service network as expansive as its product lineup. With over 41 years of legacy, Hero MotoCorp history is rooted in innovation, scale, and trust.

Hero MotoCorp Products: From Classic Bikes to the Future of Electric Mobility

Let’s take a closer look at the range of products offered by Hero MotoCorp Ltd, each built for a different kind of rider, but all staying true to the company’s legacy of trust and innovation.

1. Motorcycles: Where the Hero Journey Began
Splendor Plus
Ask anyone about a reliable, no-nonsense bike and they’ll say one word: Splendor. This is India’s most loved commuter bike.

Xtreme 160R and Xtreme 250R
For those who want a sportier ride, Hero has introduced the Xtreme series.

Mavrick 440
This is Hero’s leap into the premium motorcycle category.

Harley-Davidson X440 (in partnership with Hero)
Yes, you read that right. Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson have teamed up to bring the X440 to Indian roads. This cruiser-style bike features a muscular build, a refined engine, and premium components.

2. Scooters: Stylish, Smart, and Built for Everyday Use
Pleasure Plus XTEC
This scooter is especially popular among women and young riders. It’s light, stylish, and now comes with smart features like Bluetooth connectivity and fuel-saving tech.

Destini and Maestro Edge
Both these scooters focus on comfort and convenience.

Xoom 110 and Xoom 160
Xoom is Hero’s boldest scooter yet. The Xoom 110 is sharp, zippy, and comes with cornering lights for better safety.

3. Electric Vehicles: VIDA by Hero
In its commitment to sustainability and future-ready transport, Hero MotoCorp launched its EV brand called VIDA. Under this, it offers high-quality, smart electric scooters aimed at the urban Indian user.

VIDA V1 (Plus & Pro)
This was Hero’s first electric scooter.

VIDA V2 (Lite, Plus, Pro)
Launched recently, the V2 models are more affordable while still offering strong features.

VIDA Concept LYNX
It’s designed for adventure riding, combining Hero’s engineering with EV power. While not yet in the market, it shows the direction Hero is heading.

Sustainability: Hero’s Pledge to the Future

Hero MotoCorp is helping shape a sustainable future for India and the world. The company’s vision, Be the Future of Mobility, is rooted in long-term, measurable sustainability goals and clean mobility leadership.

Here are some of the key sustainability commitments Hero has made:

• 100% Zero-Waste-to-Landfill Facilities by 2025
  Hero’s manufacturing units are being upgraded to ensure that no production waste ends up in landfills.
  
• 100% Carbon-Neutral Operations by 2030
  The company aims to fully offset its carbon emissions across all operations—from sourcing to production to delivery.
  
• 500% Water Positive by 2025
  Hero wants to give back five times the amount of water it consumes in its operations, ensuring long-term community water security.
  

This approach is not just about CSR. Sustainability is embedded into Hero’s product development, operations, and even its electric vehicle strategy. With the launch of VIDA, Hero has committed itself to a green mobility future, where electric scooters, clean energy, and connected platforms go hand in hand.

Hero MotoCorp Limited- FAQs

Source: Screener.in

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