Current model facing sluggish sales in the domestic market.
The Hero Karizma, once a high-aspiration purchase among the premium tourers in India, is now almost a discarded motorcycle. While the company is seen experimenting with new sub-brands like the Xtreme 200 and HX250R in recent years to make in-roads in the premium segment, it isn't giving up on the Karizma just yet, BikeAdvice reports.
The Hero Karizma has been struggling so much in the domestic market currently, that the company managed only 242 unit sales during April-August 2016. During the same period last year, its sales were nearly 10 times higher - 2,328 units. In fact, in August 2015 alone, 333 units of the motorcycle were delivered.
It was rumoured that the Karizma nameplate could be sent on its way, but as it turns out, that's not the case. Speaking to BikeAdvice, Markus Braunsperger, Chief Technology Officer, Hero MotoCorp, admitted that the Karizma is "suffering" but asserted that nameplate is here to stay.
Also Read: New Hero Achiever 150 with iSmart launched at INR 61,800
Citing undisclosed sources, the report says that Hero MotoCorp's R&D department will start working on a new Hero Karizma very soon. Hero would do well to base it on a new platform and the old engine could be swapped with the unit employed in the Hero HX250R from Auto Expo 2014 or the Hero Xtreme 200S from Auto Expo 2016.
[Source: BikeAdvice.in]
