Honda CB350 First Service Cost Details – Cheaper Than RE Classic 350 ?
The Honda CB350 is the most affordable product in the company’s BigWing lineup – Is the service cost affordable?
Honda BigWing, the premium motorcycle outlet network of the Japanese brand, has commenced deliveries of the much hyped H’ness 350 retro-classic motorcycle a few days ago and one of the first customers managed to clock a little over 700 km in 8 days and logged his experience through a video.
Honda CB350 first service cost
Service and Maintenance costs are among the major factors which buyers take into consideration before purchasing a new car or a bike. Royal Enfield Classic 350’s low service cost has been a major factor that has helped the bike become a leader in the segment. Honda CB350 has managed to match the Royal Enfield in terms of looks / design, beaten in terms of power / torque. But will the CB350 manage to beat RE Classic 350 in terms of service and maintenance costs?
The Honda CB350’s first free service is scheduled at 1,000 km, and as expect, the motorcycle was subjected to regular inspections and consumables change. It is to be noted that the CB350 can be serviced only at Honda BigWing centers of which there are only a handful in India at the moment. However, given the volume potential the most affordable Honda premium bike, the company would be expanding the presence of its BigWing outlets briskly.
Coming back to the first service, the motorcycle received new engine oil (Idemitsu 10W30) which is priced at INR 1,066 for 2 liters, a new oil filter which is priced at around INR 63.55, O-ring for 103.92 and a washer for 3.12. Honda does not charge the customer for labor and washing during the free service. Below is the detailed video by Abhinav Bhatt explaining the first service of Honda CB350.
Since the motorcycle is equipped with a maintenance-free viscous air-filter, it does not require regular cleaning but needs to be replaced once in 18,000 km. Honda CB350 first service cost stands at Rs 1,469 including all taxes. In comparison, cost of Royal Enfield Classic 350 first service is about Rs 1,300.
Honda CB350 Free Services
Honda offers three free services for the CB350 and this means you only pay for the consumables and not labor. The second free service is scheduled at 6,000 km or 6 months while the third and last free service is scheduled at 12,000 km or 1 year. The roadster has a service interval of 6,000 km. Once the free services are lapsed, Honda BigWing stores will be charging around INR 700 as labor charge in addition the prices of consumables.
Honda Service Quality
The Honda BigWing outlets have been handling only low volume sportsbikes so far but with the CB350, the premium service centers are expected to have a significant increase in the quantum of business. The Honda CB350 is expected to force most of the BigWing stores to expand their service capacities.
The Honda CB350 first service video by the customer shows that the technicians paid good attention to detail by checking the fasteners, adjusting the clutch lever and throttle for play, calibrating the chain slack and checking the tyre pressures. The customer who was recording the whole process from the comfort of the owners’ lounge was left impressed by the quality of work Honda BigWing’s service personnel displayed.
his is a far better service experience than given by Royal Enfield. But we also have to consider that this was the first Honda CB350 that had come for service. Will Honda manage to maintain similar levels of checks and maintenance once sales and service outlets increase; only time will tell. For now, it seems Honda has come all prepared to offer some serious competition to RE; who has enjoyed a near monopoly for years in this segment.
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| Bumblebee |
Tata Motors Oct 2020 Sales Highest In 99 Months – Grow By 79%
Tata Motors has yet again posted record sales – For Oct 2020, their sales increased to 23,600 units
Tata Motors has managed to retain 3rd spot on the sales table, having yet again pipped Kia Motors India to the spot. Of course Tata Motors has been around longer, and sells a wider range of cars. The manufacturer is now hobnobbing triumphantly on podium having darted ahead of Mahindra sales in recent months.
What was earlier an aim is now a reality seeing recent retail sales. The last time, Tata Motors was in such great form was back in 2012. In October 2019, sales were a modest 10,429 units.
October 2020 sales are reported at 23,600 units at 79% percent growth up from 13,169 units sold in October 2019. The last time Tata posted higher sales than posted in Oct 2020, was back in July 2012; that is 8 years and 3 months ago – or 99 months ago.
Sales in Sep 2020 too were noteworthy at 21,200 units, and Tata Motors has outperformed that base at 11.31 percent having gained 2,398 units MoM. YoY volume gain is reported at 10,429 units. August 2020 sales was reported at 18,583 units.
After gaining a boost last quarter, Tata Motors has started Q4 2020 with its strong foot forward, in fact its strongest foot forward for the year as October 2020 sales is its highest monthly sales for the current year. Tiago, Altroz and Nexon continued to be best selling Tata cars for Oct 2020.
Diwali Boost
Sales positivity is expected to continue as Diwali approaches. The ongoing festive season has long been a strong harness for the Indian auto industry wherein people plan their purchases during this period. That’s what has propelled these months to be busy ones with manufacturers introducing new cars and variants, as well as curated finance offers to make the most of increased footfalls.
Though there was some scepticism regarding vehicle purchases as the industry bore the brunt go complete lockdown owing to Covid-19 pandemic, retail activity has continued to bolster numbers on MoM basis as business restarted in a phase wise manner. Finance offers too have been reworked to ensure ease of access, as well as ease of repayment.
New Cars
In recent years, Tata Motors has reworked its vehicle lineup, having introduced an altogether new one. Brand building has been strengthened by consistency in regard to new vehicle launches. The most recent being its premium hatch Altroz which has introduced at the start of 2020. Its Harrier SUV was introduced at the start of 2019, but was thoroughly updated in Jan 2020. Tiago, Nexon and Tigor were also updated in the same month.
Tata already has a larger seat option Harrier lined up for launch. There’s also the Hornbill micro UV. Having gained sales momentum over its current vehicle portfolio, a regular inflow of new vehicles could help sustain that momentum. For now Tata Motors sales growth is showing up very much in the green but this can be attributed to its low base sales in the comparable months in 2019. Prior to current fiscal uncertainty owing to Covid-19 pandemic, the Indian auto industry had seen sales slowdown as FY20 came to a close.
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| Bumblebee |
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