Kotak Launches Solitaire – An Exclusive, Invite - Only Affluent Banking Program You Can’t Apply—You Must Be Invited!

Kotak Mahindra Bank today announced the launch of Kotak Solitaire, a pioneering banking proposition crafted exclusively for India’s truly affluent. This isn’t just a product—it’s a privilege. 

Solitaire is invitation-only, reserved for individuals and families with a deep, multi-dimensional financial relationship with Kotak. It’s not about account balances—it’s about Total Relationship Value across deposits, investments, loans, insurance, and demat holdings offered by the Bank and it is calculated at a family level. 

“India’s affluent segment is growing rapidly, but their banking experience hasn’t kept pace,” said Rohit Bhasin, President - Head of Affluent, NRI, and Business Banking and Chief Marketing Officer at Kotak Mahindra Bank. “Solitaire is our response to that gap. It’s not a product—it’s a proposition. Solitaire recognizes success, respects ambition, and reimagines what banking should feel like.”

 

Born from Deep Customer Insight

Extensive research revealed a clear disconnect between affluent customers and their banks. They felt invisible, underserved, and emotionally disconnected from their banks. Kotak listened—and built a solution that directly addresses their top pain points:

 

• Lack of recognition and personalization

• Fragmented service across financial products

• Absence of family-level banking experience

• Generic offerings that ignore lifestyle and aspirations

 

Solitaire: A New Standard in Affluent Banking

 

Solitaire is more than a set of benefits—it is a reimagined experience that puts the customer and their family at the centre:

• ₹8 Crore Pre-Approved Credit Lines** across home loans, personal loans, and credit cards

• Segment-Specific Solutions for salaried professionals and entrepreneurs

• Family-First Banking with shared credit limits** and privileges

• Dedicated Relationship & Service Managers for seamless, high-touch support

• Unified experience to Kotak’s best across banking, wealth, insurance^, and lifestyle

 

The Solitaire Credit Card: Designed for Distinction

As part of the Solitaire experience, Kotak introduces the Solitaire Credit Card—a reflection of the program’s ethos:

 

• Invite – only: Exclusively for Solitaire customers

• No annual fees for Solitaire customers

• High credit limits

• Unlimited lounge access for primary and add-ons. Guest travellers also get access to lounge. Now, the entire family can get lounge access.

• Earn 10% Airmiles on travel spends via Kotak Unbox and earn 3% Airmiles on other eligible spends with a generous cap of ₹1,00,000 Air Miles per statement cycle on accelerated categories. Big savings for family travel

• Zero forex markup - One card for all your spends.

• Fuel surcharge waived for transactions up to Rs 7500

• Wide array of redemption options for Airmiles. These include flight bookings, hotels and miles transfer to popular airline and hotel loyalty programs.

 

“This card doesn’t just reward you—it respects your journey,” said Frederick Dsouza, Business Head – Credit Cards. “It’s designed for those who’ve earned their place at the top—and want their family to enjoy the same level of service and recognition.”

 

Exclusivity Redefined

Solitaire is available by invitation, only. Customers are invited based on their relationship value and engagement across Kotak’s ecosystem. It’s a program that prioritizes quality over quantity, and recognition over reach.

 

Solitaire is built on Kotak’s legacy of trust and excellence.

Kotak Mahindra Bank is one of India’s leading financial institutions, trusted by 60% of India’s top 100 families* for wealth management. This deep-rooted confidence is what powers Solitaire—a proposition that reflects the aspirations of India’s most accomplished individuals and families.

Brigade Hotel Ventures Ltd Initial Public Offering To Open From July 24, To July 28, 2025

* Price Band fixed at Rs. 85/- to Rs 90/- per equity share of face value of Rs. 10 each (“Equity Shares”)

*Bid /Issue Opening Date – _Thursday_, July 24, 2025 and Bid/Issue Closing Date – Monday, July 28, 2025

 

·      Anchor Date - The Anchor Investor Bidding Date is one working day prior to Bid/Issue Opening Date, being Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

 

·      Bids can be made for a minimum of  166 Equity Shares and in multiples of 166 Equity Shares thereafter.

 

·      A discount of Rs. 3/- per Equity Share is being offered to Eligible Employees bidding in the Employee Reservation Portion.

 

·      RHP Link: https://bhvl.in/red-herring-prospectus/

 

Brigade Hotel Ventures Limited (“Company”), shall open its Bid/Issue in relation to its initial public offer of Equity Shares (“Issue”) on Thursday, July 24, 2025. The Anchor Investor Bidding Date is one working day prior to Bid/Issue Opening Date, being  Wednesday, July 23, 2025. The Bid/ Issue Closing Date is Monday, July 28, 2025.

The total Issue size comprises of a fresh issue of equity shares of face value of ₹10 each aggregating up to ₹ 7596.00 millions.

Price Band of the Issue is fixed at Rs. 85/- to Rs 90/- per equity share. (“The Price Band”).

The Issue includes a reservation of Equity Shares, aggregating up to ₹ 75.96 million for subscription by Eligible Employees (the “Employee Reservation Portion”). A discount of Rs. 3/- per Equity Share is being offered to Eligible Employees bidding in the Employee Reservation Portion (“Employee Reservation Portion Discount”). The Issue also includes a reservation of Equity Shares aggregating up to ₹ 303.84 million, available for allocation to BEL Shareholders, on a proportionate basis (“BEL Shareholders Reservation Portion”). The Issue less the Employee Reservation Portion and the BEL Shareholders Reservation Portion is hereinafter referred to as the “Net Issue”.

[Bids can be made for a minimum of 166 Equity Shares and in multiples of 166 Equity Shares thereafter. (“Bid Lot”).] The Company proposes to utilize the net proceeds towards repayment/ prepayment, in full or in part, of certain outstanding borrowings availed by our Company and material subsidiary - SRP Prosperita Hotel Ventures Limited, amounting to Rs 4681.4 Million. The repayment amount will include Rs 4136.9 Million availed by the Company and Rs 544.5 Million by material subsidiary - SRP Prosperita Hotel Ventures Limited.  The net proceeds will also be used towards the payment of consideration for buying of undivided share of land from our promoter, BEL amounting to Rs 1075.2 Million as well as for pursuing inorganic growth through unidentified acquisitions, other strategic initiatives and general corporate purposes.

 

This Issue is being made in terms of Rule 19(2)(b) of the SCRR read with Regulation 31 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulation, 2018, as amended (“SEBI ICDR Regulations”). The Issue is being made through the Book Building Process and is in compliance with Regulation 6(2) of the SEBI ICDR Regulations, wherein, not less than 75% of the Net Issue shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis to Qualified Institutional Buyers (“QIBs”, and such portion, the “QIB Portion”) provided that our Company in consultation with the BRLMs, may allocate up to 60% of the QIB Portion to Anchor Investors on a discretionary basis in accordance with the SEBI ICDR Regulations (“Anchor Investor Portion”), of which at least one-third shall be available for allocation to Mutual Funds, subject to valid Bids being received from Mutual Funds at or above the Anchor Investor Allocation Price, in accordance with the SEBI ICDR Regulations. In the event of under-subscription or non-allocation in the Anchor Investor Portion, the balance Equity Shares shall be added to the Net QIB Portion.

Further, 5% of the Net QIB Portion shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis only to Mutual Funds and the remainder of the Net QIB Portion shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis to all QIB Bidders (other than Anchor Investors) including Mutual Funds, subject to valid Bids being received at or above the Issue Price. However, if the aggregate demand from Mutual Funds is less than 5% of the Net QIB Portion, the balance Equity Shares available for allocation in the Mutual Fund Portion will be added to the remaining Net QIB Portion for proportionate allocation to QIBs. If at least 75% of the Issue cannot be allotted to QIBs, then the entire application money will be refunded forthwith.

Further, not more than 15% of the Net Issue shall be available for allocation to Non-Institutional Bidders out of which (a) one-third of such portion shall be reserved for applicants with application size of more than ₹ 200,000 and up to ₹1,000,000; and (b) two-third of such portion shall be reserved for applicants with application size of more than ₹1,000,000, provided that the unsubscribed portion in either of such sub-categories may be allocated to applicants in the other sub-category of Non-Institutional Bidders and not more than 10% of the Net Issue shall be available for allocation to Retail Individual Bidders (“RIBs”) in accordance with the SEBI ICDR Regulations, subject to valid Bids being received from them at or above the Issue Price. All potential Bidders (except Anchor Investors) are required to mandatorily utilise the Application Supported by Blocked Amount (“ASBA”) process by providing details of their respective bank accounts (including UPI ID for UPI Bidders using UPI Mechanism) in which the Bid amount will be blocked by the SCSBs or the Sponsor Banks, as applicable, to participate in the Issue.

Anchor Investors are not permitted to participate in the Anchor Investor Portion of the Issue through the ASBA process. Further, Equity Shares will be allocated on a proportionate basis to Eligible Employees applying under the Employee Reservation Portion, subject to valid Bids received from them at or above the Issue Price. Furthermore, such number of Equity Shares, aggregating up to ₹303.84 million shall be made available for allocation on a proportionate basis only to BEL Shareholders bidding in the BEL Shareholders Reservation Portion, subject to valid Bids being received at or above the Issue Price. All Bidders (except Anchor Investors) are required to mandatorily utilise the ASBA process by providing details of their respective ASBA accounts and UPI ID (in case of UPI Bidders using the UPI Mechanism), in which case the corresponding Bid Amounts will be blocked by the SCSBs or under the UPI Mechanism, as applicable to participate in the Issue. Anchor Investors are not permitted to participate in the Anchor Investor Portion of the Issue through the ASBA process

All Bidders (except Anchor Investors) are required to mandatorily utilise the ASBA process by providing details of their respective ASBA accounts and UPI ID (in case of UPI Bidders  using the UPI Mechanism), in which case the corresponding Bid Amounts will be blocked by the SCSBs or under the UPI Mechanism, as applicable to participate in the Issue. Anchor Investors are not permitted to participate in the Anchor Investor Portion of the Issue through the ASBA process.

JM Financial Limited and ICICI Securities Limited are the Book Running Lead Managers to the issue.

Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalised terms shall have such meaning as ascribed to them in the RHP.

Yamaha Inaugurates 500th Blue Square Showroom, Scales Up Premium Customer Experience Across India

Each Blue Square showroom is a gateway to Yamaha’s rich racing DNA and premium experience, with a growing presence across all four regions of India. 

India Yamaha Motor Pvt Ltd (IYM) has reached a significant milestone with the inauguration of its 500th Blue Square showroom in India. This marks a strong step forward in Yamaha’s customer-centric growth journey, especially in creating exclusive experiences tailored for premium customers. The expansion reinforces Yamaha’s nationwide reach in sales, service, and support, while accelerating its strategy in the premium two-wheeler segment.

 

Since the introduction of the ‘The Call of the Blue’ brand campaign in 2018, Yamaha has consistently focused on offering products that appeal to the aspirations of India’s new-age riders and premium customers. The Blue Square showrooms—launched in 2019—have played a central role in this vision, serving as exclusive, experiential spaces that reflect Yamaha’s racing DNA and performance-oriented legacy. “Blue Square” blends Yamaha's global motorsports heritage with a one-stop buying experience— ‘Blue’ symbolizing its racing lineage and ‘Square’ creating a vibrant hub for customers to engage with Yamaha’s aesthetics and exciting offerings.

 

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Itaru Otani, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group of Companies, said: “Reaching the 500-showroom mark is a proud moment in our journey to build a stronger, more connected Yamaha community. Adding 100 new Blue Square outlets in just nine months reflects our focus on customer centricity and our commitment to accessibility across the country. Blue Square showrooms are leading our premium retail strategy and are designed to meet the aspirations of young and aspiring customers by offering a superior brand and ownership experience. Each outlet goes beyond retail—it’s a space for customer engagement, brand exploration, and rider community building through initiatives like Blue Streaks rides. I sincerely thank our dealer partners for their continued trust and contribution to delivering a consistent and premium Yamaha experience.”

 

With 500 showrooms across India, Yamaha’s Blue Square network reflects balanced regional growth and a consistent premium experience nationwide. Designed to align with the lifestyle of Yamaha’s growing rider base, these showrooms feature dedicated zones for accessories, merchandise, and community engagement. Through customer engagement initiatives like Blue Streaks, Blue Square also serves as a hub for riders to connect, explore the brand, and celebrate the spirit of Yamaha together.

 

The expanding Blue Square network showcases Yamaha’s most exciting models, including the Supersport-inspired R3, the dynamic MT-03, and the sporty AEROX 155, alongside popular offerings like the YZF-R15 range, MT-15, FZ Series, Fascino 125 FI Hybrid, and the Ray ZR FI Hybrid range—all engineered to deliver engaging performance and superior riding experiences.

 

About Yamaha Motor India Group of Companies

Yamaha Motor made its initial foray into India in 1985 as a joint venture. In August 2001, it became a 100% subsidiary of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd, Japan (YMC). In 2008, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. entered into an agreement with YMC to become a joint investor in India Yamaha Motor Private Limited (IYM). IYM's manufacturing facilities comprise State-of-the-art plants at Surajpur (Uttar Pradesh) and Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu). The infrastructure at these plants supports the production of motorcycles and parts for domestic as well as overseas markets. YMC has established its subsidiaries - Yamaha Motor Research and Development India Pvt Ltd. (YMRI), Yamaha Motor India Sales Pvt Ltd. (YMIS) and Yamaha Motor India Pvt Ltd. (YMI) in India to independently support IYM in the development, sales & marketing of its products and overall business planning & regional control respectively. Presently, its product portfolio includes YZF-R3 (321cc), MT-03 (321cc), YZF-R15 V4 (155cc), YZF-R15S V3 (155cc),  MT-15 V2 (155cc); FZS-Fi Hybrid (149cc), FZS-Fi (149cc), FZ-X Hybrid (149cc), FZ-X (149cc), AEROX Version S (155cc) and hybrid scooters like Fascino 125 FI Hybrid (125cc), Ray ZR 125 FI Hybrid (125cc), Ray ZR Street Rally 125 FI Hybrid (125cc).

Grip Invest Redefines Bond Investments With ‘Infinite’, A First-of-Its-Kind Auto-Compounding Investment Product

Grip Invest, India’s one-stop destination for fixed returns, has launched Infinite, a first-of-its-kind reinvestment product designed to generate up to 30% more returns for investors by making compounding a seamless experience for fixed returns assets like Bonds and SDIs. Infinite is designed to solve the chronic pain point of reinvestment in fixed returns instruments. By automatically routing monthly bond payouts into high-quality debt mutual funds via an auto-SIP, it brings a continuous, structured, and effortless reinvestment experience to investors. In doing so, Infinite ensures every interest return is put back to work, allowing capital to grow without disruption.

Nikhil Aggarwal, Founder & Group CEO, Grip, commented, “Bond investors had to resort to manual tracking of interest payouts and reinvestment options, where they had to make one decision after another, just to keep their capital working. The reinvestment journey is fragmented and inefficient, especially for smaller returns earned by retail investors, which often sit idle. This friction not only disrupts compounding but also results in silent value erosion over time.
Infinite is our response to that bottleneck: By routing monthly bond payouts into curated mutual funds via an auto-SIP, Infinite offers the power of compounding of auto-pilot. It turns passive returns into active compounding, without lock-ins, delays, or constant oversight. For investors, it delivers up to 30% more returns from the same portfolio. For Grip, it advances our mission to build accessible, intuitive fixed returns infrastructure for retail investors that works with, not against, investor behaviour.”

Infinite is embedded directly into the investor journey on Grip’s platform. It can be activated at the time of purchasing a bond or through the investor’s existing portfolio section. Once enabled, every interest payout is automatically reinvested into a curated list of high-quality debt funds offering investors a way to maintain momentum in their portfolio without lifting a finger. The reinvested funds can be withdrawn anytime or directed into another bond or SDI on the Grip platform, creating a fully flexible reinvestment loop that doesn’t rely on investor intervention.

With over 15 mutual fund bond options available on the Grip platform, Infinite becomes a one-stop ecosystem for fixed returns investors. It progresses the category ahead from being a transactional, one-time investment and operates as a dynamic, long-term wealth engine. Investors no longer have to choose between yield and liquidity or between convenience and control. Infinite delivers it all.

Infinite is a natural extension of Grip’s mission to democratise fixed returns investing, by removing complexity and bringing it closer to how Indians already invest. By making reinvestment feel as intuitive it is a model where capital stays in motion, working behind the scenes to build long-term value. This is the future Grip is building: frictionless, scalable, and built entirely around the real behaviour of retail investors.

Netafim India, Orbia’s Precision Agriculture Business, Celebrates 60 Years Of Empowering Farmers

 

Deepens Agricultural Impact with Outreach for 1 Lakh Farmers

Prioritizes Smallholders and Women Farmers

Netafim India, a subsidiary of Netafim Orbia’s Precision Agriculture business the global leader in precision irrigation solutions, celebrates 60 years of innovation, impact, and leadership in agriculture. This milestone marks six decades of agricultural transformation, food security advancement, climate resilience, and empowering communities across the globe. 

To commemorate its 60-year journey, Netafim India will roll out a large-scale farmer education initiative across ten states. The program will reach over one lakh farmers, with a strong focus on smallholders, women farmers, and farmer producer groups. In India, Netafim has made a significant impact—reaching over 1.2 million farmers and bringing 1.3 million hectares under smart irrigation. Its precision irrigation solutions have help Indian farmers increase yields by 30–40% while reducing water consumption by up to 50%, contributing to a climate-resilient and water-efficient farming ecosystem.

Mr. Randhir Chauhan, Managing Director, Netafim India expressed his views, “As we celebrate 60 years globally our mission remains unchanged: to help Indian farmers grow more with less. This milestone is not just about reflecting on the past but reaffirming our commitment to build a smarter, more inclusive, and climate-resilient agricultural future. With a deep understanding of India’s diverse socio-economic and environmental conditions, we have been a trusted partner to the Government in implementing key agricultural policies and programs along with other stakeholders. As a Leader in the sector, we have developed customized solutions tailored to the needs of small and marginal farmers across the country. Our journey is powered by the trust of farmers, the strength of our collaborations, and the passion of our people—and that will always be our greatest strength.” 

In parallel, with over 1200 employees across India, Netafim will launch a nationwide employee campaign, “Celebrating 60 Years of Leadership”. The drive includes initiatives like ‘60 Days of Impact’, a volunteer campaign connecting employees with farming communities; the ‘Voices of Netafim’ series spotlighting employee journeys; and skill-building programs to nurture future agri-leaders. The 60 years celebrations will be held across all Netafim India offices, factories, and field locations, bringing together staff, farmers, and partners in collective celebrations. The celebrations also aim to highlight and reiterate our EVP “Where Purpose Comes to Life” – our EVP reflects our strong commitment to our purpose. 

Over the past year, Netafim introduced several innovations globally and locally. These include GrowSphere™, a digital farming operating system that brings precision into daily decision-making, and the world’s first hybrid dripper with a built-in welded outlet for greater irrigation efficiency. In India, Netafim launched the Toofan dripline, a high-performance solution tailored for small and marginal farmers. From the vineyards of Maharashtra and banana plantations in Tamil Nadu to cotton fields in Gujarat and sugarcane farms in Uttar Pradesh, Netafim’s solutions—Uniram™, DripNet PC™, Typhoon™, and PCJ™ Drippers—are helping Indian farmers maximize productivity while conserving resources. 

Founded in 1965, Netafim pioneered the drip irrigation revolution and introduced the world’s first commercial dripper in 1966. Today, it continues to lead with holistic solutions in irrigation, fertigation, agronomy, and digital farming, driving sustainable agriculture for generations to come. To learn more, visit: www.netafimindia.com

SBI Card and PhonePe Forms Strategic Partnership; Launch Co-Branded “PhonePe SBI Card”

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  Earn up to 10% value back as reward points on everyday spends on PhonePe app with the PhonePe SBI Card SELECT BLACK.

• Customers also get up to 5% value back as reward points for online shopping on other platforms.

• The joining fee is fully returned in the form of PhonePe e-gift vouchers on both credit card variants.

 SBI Card, India’s largest pure-play credit card issuer, in partnership with PhonePe announced the launch of “PhonePe SBI Card”. This new co-branded credit card aims to provide a rewarding experience on everyday spends, crafted to serve the evolving financial needs of customers across India. The credit card comes in two variants, the PhonePe SBI Card PURPLE and the PhonePe SBI Card SELECT BLACK, catering to diverse customer preferences, and lifestyle spending needs. Additionally, both the variants of this contactless credit card are available on the RuPay and VISA payment networks, giving consumers the choice of network that best suits their needs. The RuPay cards can be linked to UPI as well and can be used for transactions at millions of UPI merchants across the country. The VISA variant can be tokenised on PhonePe and used securely across a host of online merchants. 

With the new PhonePe SBI Card, customers can earn reward points on various everyday transactions, including groceries, bill payments, travel bookings, utility payments, insurance premium payments, and more, across online and offline shopping platforms. PhonePe SBI Card SELECT BLACK cardholders can earn up to 10% value back as reward points on essential and frequent PhonePe in-app transactions. Customers can also avail up to 5% value back as reward points on all their online spends on other platforms. 

Furthermore, the application process is integrated into the PhonePe app, where customers can easily apply for the PhonePe SBI Card through digital application. Customers can make purchases using the PhonePe app and repay their credit card bill on PhonePe platform. 

Speaking on the launch, Ms. Salila Pande, MD & CEO, SBI Card, said, “Digital payments in India are experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing convenience and accessibility of digital platforms. Our strategic partnership with PhonePe is a significant step towards further popularising credit card usage, by combining SBI Card’s deep domain expertise and PhonePe’s extensive digital network. This credit card is thoughtfully designed to offer a unique blend of exceptional benefits and unmatched convenience with every transaction. The launch of PhonePe SBI Card reflects our continued commitment to delivering best-in-class products, tailored for evolving consumer needs.” 

Adding to this, Sameer Nigam, Co-founder & CEO at PhonePe said, "We have always been committed to simplifying financial services and making them accessible to all Indians. Through our partnership with SBI Card, we are further expanding our offerings beyond digital payments into the realm of formal credit. We have invested significant effort in creating a smooth user experience by embedding the card functionality directly into the PhonePe app, ensuring it's easy to apply for, manage, and utilize while delivering value. This initiative goes beyond mere convenience - we are constructing the infrastructure for a more inclusive credit landscape in India. We believe this card will help fulfill the financial aspirations of many users, and we are thrilled about the possibilities this partnership creates."

The PhonePe SBI Card SELECT BLACK offers a ₹1,500 welcome e-gift voucher upon joining fee payment of ₹1,499. It provides up to 10% value back as reward points on PhonePe and Pincode app spends, up to 5% value back as reward points on all other online merchant spends, and 1% value back as reward points on all other eligible spends. The PhonePe SBI Card PURPLE offers a ₹500 welcome e-gift voucher upon joining fee payment of ₹499. It includes up to 3% value back as reward points on PhonePe and Pincode app spends, 2% value back as reward points on all other online transactions, and 1% value back as reward points on all other eligible spends. All these reward points can be redeemed to settle outstanding credit card bills or avail e-gift vouchers from SBI Card redemption catalogue.  

In addition to rewards, both credit cards feature significant milestones and travel benefits. PhonePe SBI Card SELECT BLACK cardholders will receive a ₹5,000 travel voucher upon reaching ₹5,00,000 in annual spends. Customers can also enjoy four complimentary domestic lounge visits per year (one per quarter), along with Complimentary Priority Pass membership for international lounge access. The PhonePe SBI Card PURPLE offers a ₹3,000 travel voucher on achieving ₹3,00,000 in annual spends. Both credit cards also include a 1% fuel surcharge waiver.

Eligible customers can easily apply for the PhonePe SBI Card through a simple and seamless digital process, which will be rolled out to customers in a phased manner on the PhonePe app.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Celebrates Glorious 25 Years, Unveils All-New “CB125 Hornet And “Shine 100 DX”

Marking a significant milestone in its journey, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) celebrated 25 years of operations in India. The company commemorated its glorious 25 years by unveiling two new motorcycles – the "CB125 Hornet" and "Shine 100 DX". These launches underscore HMSI’s commitment to delivering modern, technologically advanced products tailored for Indian customers. Ushering into the new era of Generation Honda towards golden dominance, bookings for the all-new Honda CB125 Hornet and the Honda Shine 100 DX will be open from 1st August 2025. 

Speaking on the momentous occasion, Mr. Tsutsumu Otani, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “Today marks an important chapter in HMSI’s journey in India. As we celebrate 25 glorious years, it gives me immense pride to unveil not just one, but two new motorcycles that represent Honda’s commitment to innovation and customer-centric approach. The introduction of CB125 Hornet and Shine 100 DX reaffirms our promise of bringing hi-tech mobility solutions for the Indian market. This celebration also resonates with Honda’s global achievement of the 500 million production milestone and HMSI’s 70 million production landmark. We remain deeply grateful to our customers, partners, and employees who made this journey possible and look forward to accelerating our growth in the coming years.”

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “We are ecstatic to introduce two all-new motorcycles developed to meet the evolving aspirations of new-age Indian riders in this landmark 25th anniversary year of HMSI. The CB125 Hornet is set to redefine the 125cc premium commuter space with its advanced styling, segment-first features like Golden USD front forks and best-in-class 0-60 km/h time of 5.4s, making it the perfect urban companion for Gen-Z buyers to Ride their Rizz. The new Shine 100 DX brings a fresh wave of excitement, blending enhanced styling with advanced features, standing true to what customers expect – ‘Solid Hai’. These two models reflect Honda’s continued commitment of meeting customer aspirations and bringing advanced mobility solutions to every segment in the country.”

Honda CB125 Hornet: Ride Your Rizz

The Honda CB125 Hornet is designed for today’s urban youth, combining aggressive street-style design with advanced features and thrilling performance. It sports a bold front fascia that gives it a commanding road presence complemented by an all-LED lighting setup, including a signature twin-LED headlamp with LED DRLs and high-mounted LED turn indicators. Moving to the side profile, the CB125 Hornet gets a muscular fuel tank with sharp tank shrouds and a stylish muffler.

Adding flair to its premium touch is the first-in-segment golden USD front forks along with a

5-step adjustable mono-shock absorber that aids in providing superior handling to the motorcycle. The unique positioning of ignition key on the fuel tank adds to both convenience and style. Further accentuating the new CB125 Hornet’s street smart character are multi-spoke alloy wheels and a split seat set-up for better comfort of both rider and pillion.

Designed to match the style and preferences of new-age riders, the all-new CB125 Hornet is offered in four dynamic colour options with striking combinations. They are – Pearl Siren Blue with Lemon Ice Yellow, Pearl Igneous Black, Pearl Siren Blue with Athletic Blue Metallic, and Pearl Siren Blue with Sports Red. In terms of features, it gets a 4.2-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity and Honda RoadSync app compatibility.

Thanks to the Honda RoadSync app, the riders can focus on road and still stay connected with seamless access to navigation, calls & SMS alerts, and music playback with a headset. The screen can be toggled by the switches placed on the left handlebar. The CB125 Hornet gets a Universal USB Type-C charging port, enabling riders to charge their devices while on the go. Moreover, it comes equipped with an engine stop switch & a side-stand indicator with engine inhibitor for added safety.

Powering the all-new CB125 Hornet is a 123.94cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected, OBD2B compliant engine that churns out 8.2 kW of power at 7500 RPM and 11.2 Nm of peak torque at 6000 RPM. The engine comes paired with a 5-speed gearbox. It can sprint from 0 to 60 km/h in just 5.4 seconds, making it the fastest motorcycle in its class. With a lightweight build of just 124 kg and a power packed performance, the CB125 Hornet offers effortless maneuverability and instant thrill.

Braking duties are handled by a 240mm petal disc at the front and a 130mm drum at the rear. The inclusion of petal disc enhances heat dissipation & improves cooling, thus improving braking efficiency. Moreover, as an added safety measure, the CB125 Hornet is equipped with a single-channel ABS. It rides on wide tubeless tyres – 80/100-17 unit at the front and a 110/80-17 unit at the rear. This setup instills confidence in the rider to take on every ride with ease and control.

Honda Shine 100 DX: Solid Hai

Carrying forward the ‘Shine’ legacy, the new Shine 100 DX has been introduced to cater to new-age customers with its feature-rich package. The new Shine 100 DX gets a refreshed design that brings the same cult in a more advanced avatar. At the front, it gets a newly designed headlamp with elegant chrome garnishing that adds a touch of premium appeal. The solid profile is defined by a sculpted wide fuel tank bearing the iconic Honda branding. 

The new Shine 100 DX features attractive graphics on the body panels, enhancing the motorcycle’s style quotient. Its long seat ensures maximum comfort for both rider and pillion, making it an ideal choice for daily commutes. The all-black engine and grab rail further add a contrast, while the chrome muffler cover gives it a refined and polished finish.

The Shine 100 DX is offered in four vibrant colour options designed to suit a wide range of customers. They are – Pearl Igneous Black, Imperial Red Metallic, Athletic Blue Metallic, and Geny Gray Metallic. Equipped to meet the evolving needs of customers, the Shine 100 DX comes with a new LCD digital instrument cluster which provides a host of information including real-time display of mileage, distance to empty (range), and service due indicator. Adding safety element, this commuter motorcycle gets a side stand engine cut off feature as well. 

At the heart of the Shine 100 DX is Honda’s efficient 98.98cc single-cylinder, fuel-injected, OBD2B compliant engine that produces 5.43 kW of power at 7500 RPM and 8.04 Nm of peak torque at 5000 RPM. The engine comes mated to a 4-speed gearbox. Engineered with Honda’s trusted eSP (Enhanced Smart Power) technology, the motorcycle offers smooth acceleration, reduced friction, and optimized combustion - delivering superior mileage without compromising on performance. 

Built for the Indian roads, the Shine 100 DX features telescopic front forks and 5-step adjustable rear shock absorbers for a smooth and controlled ride. Braking duties are handled by drum brakes at both the ends, complemented by Honda’s Combined Brake System (CBS) for enhanced safety. The new Shine 100 DX rides on 17-inch tubeless tyres and gets a 168 mm ground clearance, ensuring confident handling and stability across varied terrains.