Bike-makers line up multiple rollouts

Two-wheeler manufacturers are planning to cash in on the festive demand through multiple launches. Companies such as Hero Honda, Bajaj Auto, HMSI, TVS Motors and Suzuki Motorcycles are planning for varied launches ranging from gearless scooters to executive segment and premium segment of motorcycles.

Scooters and motorcycles collectively recorded a gain of 10.75 per cent in the April-August period, selling more than 3.08 million units. Higher disposable incomes and competitive lending rates offered by manufacturers boosted sales during the last two months when it recorded a growth of 17 per cent selling more than 1.22 million units.

Hero Honda will launch a motorcycle around Diwali. Arch rival Bajaj Auto will also launch a bike before December — a 125cc executive motorcycle — followed by another new model before March. Amit Nandi, general manager, Bajaj Auto, said, “The next two launches will be based on the engine platform shared with our XCD 125 model. The first launch will take place before December, while the other one will happen before the end of the current financial year.”

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), the Indian subsidiary of the Japanese superbike making company, will introduce its fifth product in the scooter segment. Suzuki Motorcycle and Scooter India will launch a scooter and a motorcycle in the 125cc class. TVS Motors will launch a scooter and also look to strengthen its presence in the premium motorcycle segment through the launch of 180cc Apache bike.

Analysts say that the spurt in demand has been triggered by a rise in excitement within the segment thanks to new model launches by Hero Honda, Yamaha, Bajaj Auto and HMSI.

Yamaha Motor India is witnessing a demand rise for its new model in the premium segment. Company officials say that the R-15 model, which is priced closed to Rs 1.12 lakh, is a ‘sell-out’. Despite the high price tag, the company has sold 15,000 units of it since its launch in June and captured a market share of 20 per cent in the premium segment.