Mahindra Two Wheelers bullish on 100cc scooters

Mahindra Two Wheelers Ltd. (MTWL), part of the $16.5 billion Mahindra Group, Monday said it was bullish on the 100 and 110 cc category of its two-wheeler vehicles.

"If they (100 cc range of motorcycles and scooters) contribute 70 to 80 percent of total two-wheeler portfolio, we want to make a sizeable place for ourselves", the company's vice president for sales Dharmendra Mishra said on the sidelines of the launch of its 100 cc scooter Gusto.

Mishra, however, did not divulge any sales target the company has slated this year for its range of two-wheelers, citing MTWL to be a "new entrant in the segment".

MTWL set up its operations in 2008 after it acquired Kinetic Motor Company.

"Serious business starts when you have your own product line... Priorities were different when we took over Kinetic", he said.

When asked over the company's preference to launch more scooters and motorcycles, Mishra said, "In terms of sales of product, motorcycles will be higher because the demand is higher... 100 cc motorcycles are the highest selling in India".

According to him, about 60 percent of the total motorcycles sold were in the 100 cc to 110 cc category.

Mishra said since motorcycles were in demand both from urban and rural areas, MTWL's sales will be higher for motorcycles while scooters may not have that sales volume as it is considered an "urban" product.

On the projected launch of its supposed superbike, Mojo, Mishra said, "We are at an advanced stage... we are testing it... it will come very soon".

He did not give any specific time frame for its availability citing it to be a technology-oriented product but said it will be available this year.

-- Indo-Asian News Service

avr/pku/vt