Yes, Hero is an Indian company. It is one of India’s most successful homegrown automobile brands and has helped make fuel-efficient motorcycles accessible to millions of families.
Hero MotoCorp Limited was established in India and is headquartered in New Delhi. Although the company originally operated in partnership with Japan’s Honda Motor Company, Hero is now independently controlled by its Indian promoters and public shareholders.
Quick Overview of Hero
| Particular | Details |
| Company Name | Hero MotoCorp Limited |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | Brijmohan Lall Munjal |
| Former Name | Hero Honda Motors Limited |
| Country of Origin | India |
| Headquarters | New Delhi, India |
| Company Type | Publicly listed company |
| Executive Chairman | Pawan Munjal |
| CEO | Harshavardhan Chitale |
| Industry | Two-wheelers and electric mobility |
| Electric Vehicle Brand | VIDA |
| Popular Models | Splendor, HF Deluxe, Passion, Glamour and Xtreme |
| Main Products | Motorcycles, scooters and electric two-wheelers |
About Hero MotoCorp
Hero MotoCorp is an Indian multinational company that manufactures motorcycles, scooters and electric two-wheelers. It is widely recognised as one of the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturers by sales volume.
The company’s product range covers daily commuter motorcycles, premium bikes, scooters and electric vehicles. Hero Splendor and HF Deluxe are especially popular among Indian customers because of their fuel efficiency, affordable maintenance and extensive service support.
Hero also sells models such as Passion, Glamour, Xtreme, Karizma and Destini. Its VIDA brand focuses on electric scooters and connected mobility solutions.
How Did the Hero Business Begin?
The Hero business story began after India’s Partition, when the Munjal family moved to Ludhiana and started trading bicycle components. Brijmohan Lall Munjal and other family members later established a bicycle-manufacturing business.
Hero Cycles was established in the 1950s and eventually became one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers. This experience in production, distribution and component sourcing prepared the group to enter the motorcycle industry.
In 1984, the Indian Hero Group formed a joint venture with Honda Motor Company of Japan. The new business was called Hero Honda Motors Limited. Hero provided knowledge of the Indian market and an extensive distribution network, while Honda supplied motorcycle technology.
Was Hero Honda an Indian Company?
Hero Honda was an Indian-registered joint venture between India’s Hero Group and Japan’s Honda. Both partners held important ownership stakes and contributed to the company’s operations.
The partnership produced reliable and fuel-efficient motorcycles for Indian consumers. Models such as the CD100, Splendor, Passion and Karizma helped Hero Honda become a leading name in the country’s two-wheeler market.
The partnership ended in 2010 when the Hero Group agreed to purchase Honda’s ownership stake. In 2011, the company introduced a new brand identity and changed its name from Hero Honda Motors Limited to Hero MotoCorp Limited.
Therefore, the present Hero MotoCorp is not owned by Honda.
Who Owns Hero MotoCorp?
Hero MotoCorp is a publicly listed Indian company. Its shares are traded on Indian stock exchanges and are held by promoter entities, institutional investors and individual shareholders.
The Munjal family remains the company’s main promoter group and continues to play an important role in its leadership and strategic direction. Pawan Munjal serves as executive chairman, while Harshavardhan Chitale became the chief executive officer in January 2026.
The presence of international shareholders does not make Hero a foreign company. Its promoter identity, headquarters, registration and principal management remain Indian.
Where Are Hero Two-Wheelers Manufactured?
Hero MotoCorp operates manufacturing facilities in several Indian locations, including Dharuhera, Gurugram, Haridwar, Neemrana, Halol and Tirupati. These plants manufacture motorcycles and scooters for domestic customers and international markets.
The company also has international manufacturing operations and distribution arrangements. It sells two-wheelers across countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe.
Hero has business partnerships with foreign companies, including Harley-Davidson and electric-motorcycle company Zero Motorcycles. Such partnerships allow the companies to share technology, manufacturing capabilities and market access, but do not change Hero’s Indian nationality.
Why Is Hero Considered an Indian Company?
Hero was created by Indian entrepreneurs, is registered and headquartered in India, and remains controlled by its Indian promoter group. Most of its major manufacturing, product development and management activities are also based in India.
The earlier partnership with Honda sometimes causes confusion about Hero’s origin. However, that joint venture ended, and Hero MotoCorp now operates under its own identity.
Therefore, Hero MotoCorp is an Indian company with a large manufacturing base and an expanding international presence.
