The BS VI emission norms are set to kick in come April 2020 and looking at the looming timeline of the emission norms, the maker are scrambling to update their engines. The new emission norms regime will mark the country jumping straight from the BS-IV norms to BS-VI norms. The upcoming norms are way stricter than the current norms and hence the prices for the vehicles complying with the norms are bound to rise. The latest development on the front of makers complying with the norms is that world's largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp has gained the BS-VI compliance certification from the authorities. The model in question here is the Splendor iSmart bike.
Post receiving the certification, the Indian maker has gone on to claim that they are the first Indian maker to bring a BS-VI compliant two-wheeler to the Indian market. Speaking on the occasion of getting the required certification from ICAT (International Centre for Automotive Technology), the company released an official statement stating,
Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has become the first two-wheeler manufacturer in the country, to receive the BS-VI certification for a two-wheeler. Hero MotoCorp received the Type Approval Certificate from International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) for the Splendor iSmart motorcycle, after it was successfully tested for compliance to the BS-VI emission norms. With this, Hero MotoCorp has reaffirmed its commitment to be ready for the BSVI transition much ahead of the April 1, 2020 deadline. The Company has the technological prowess for meeting the BS-VI norms and will now be gearing up to make its large portfolio of motorcycles and scooters BS-VI compliant.
The Splendor line of the Indian bike maker has been a steady seller for the company in the country and remains a very popular option in the commuter segment. The iSmart version of the Splendor line-up is a one of a kind start-stop system that the maker has developed in house. However, the production of the BS-VI compliant model has not yet started. The maker is expected to bring the updated model to the market well before the new norms kick in.
Talking about the upcoming norms, the new BS-VI emission rules will for sure cause a surge in the prices of two-wheelers in the market. Now as to what effect will this have on the demand only time will tell, but the maker are sure bracing up for tougher times ahead.
