Hero MotoCorp is losing in slow motion

The world’s biggest motorcycle maker is struggling to shed its high-volume, low-margin image, while investors flock to its nimble rivals.

T Surendar

Mumbai

18 May 2020

UNLOCK NOW!

Pawan Munjal, the 61-year-old at the head of Hero MotoCorp, loves golf. He’s a serious promoter of the sport in India and plays the game himself. His company has been the title sponsor for the Indian Open, the country’s top golf championship, since 2005, and hosts an invitation-only tournament in the Bahamas every year with star golfer Tiger Woods.

Munjal, whose lowest ever handicap in the sport is eight, has said he doesn’t talk business while golfing, which makes it even tougher to find time in his calendar. At times, even the top executives at the Rs 33,431 crore Hero MotoCorp have to wait for days to get an audience. Munjal has a tough job leading the No. 1 manufacturer of two-wheelers in the world, and as chairman, managing director and CEO, he likes to personally oversee a lot that happens at the company. And he is known for his attention to detail.

In February, when he decided to spend three days at his 100-acre R&D campus in Jaipur to meet with his

What our readers say

Why subscribers love The Morning Context

High quality, independent journalism is rare to find. The Morning Context set really high standards that make me wait for each story.

Abhay Pandey, Managing partner, A91 Capital

Well-written and researched long form reads on a wide variety of topics and a team of veteran journalists - all of this makes my subscription worth it.

Anupam Gupta, Investment research consultant

In today's very noisy and cluttered world, I like that the Morning Context goes below the surface of company PR to deliver fact-based stories on Indian business.

Jessie Paul, CEO, Paul Writer

The Morning Context is my daily opportunity to get smarter about one new company/sector. Discerning analysis, unbiased and approachable.

Miten Sampat, Angel investor & former CSO, Times Internet

In today's polarized world, authentic and unbiased facts are in short supply world over. The Morning Context is a refreshing approach towards truthful, well researched, fearless, and high-quality articles on contemporary topics.

N S Parthasarthy, Co-founder, Mindtree

As one of the early subscribers, I've had the opportunity to witness how quickly the team has grown, the variety of angles covered, and the research in every in-depth story and op-ed.

Amarjit Batra, Managing director, Spotify India

In a world full of noise, The Morning Context is the calm that stimulates and energises your mind, with stories focused on fact, truth and dogged reportage.

Nikhil Taneja, Co-founder and CEO, Yuvaa

Although it’s a paid subscription, the kind of detailed research and quality of reportage makes it worth every rupee. It’s strength surely lies in having some of the finest journalists writing for it.

Shiladitya Bora, Producer, distributor and founder at Platoon One Films

Become a TMC member