Suzuki to focus on niche bikes, eyes 5L sales in India in FY16

Japanese motorcycle major Suzuki will focus on niche segment bikes of 150 cc and above in India, targeting young customers, as it chases over 30 per cent rise in sales at 5 lakh units in the current fiscal.
The company's Indian arm, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd (SMIPL) is also aiming for over 40 per cent increase in sales of its super bikes, which includes the likes of Hayabusa and GSX-R, to 400 units this fiscal with plans to launch new global models of above 800 cc bikes like S1000 and S100F.
SMIPL, which today launched a variant of its flagship model Gixxer, priced at Rs 83,439 (ex-showroom, Delhi), had sold a total of 3.74 lakh two-wheelers in 2014-15.

"Going forward, our focus would be on 150 cc and above bikes. Our products will be towards niche segment bikes. We intend to focus on products for young and young-at-heart customers," Suzuki Motorcycle India Executive Vice President Atul Gupta told reporters here.
Elaborating on the company's strategy, Gupta said: "There is a severe competition in the mass segment bikes. Your bottomlines don't get affected while in the niche segment, even though you sell less units, you can earn money."
He, however, said that the company will continue to sell its mass segment motorcycle Hayate while stressing that focus would be on niche bikes going forward.

On super bikes, Gupta said: "Last year, we sold 280 units in the country and this fiscal we are looking to sell 400 units."

He said SMIPL plans to launch 'a few' more superbikes in the country simultaneously with global launches, including the S1000 and S1000F that are expected to hit markets sometime in June.
The company is also looking to expand its sales network in the country with a target to set up 1,500 touch points by March 2016.
"From 600 touch points, we have now touched a figure of 800 outlets now. By March 2016, we aim to take this number to 1,500 outlets," Gupta said.

The company would focus on strengthening distribution network in A and B class cities, he added.
Commenting on rural markets, which are performing below par, Gupta said: "Our sales are not impacted as we sell only one mass segment bike."
When asked about exports, Gupta said the company is looking at around 50,000 shipments abroad in the current fiscal from 30,000 units it exported in 2014-15.
At present, the company exports to various markets, including Latin America, Middle East, Africa and neighbouring countries.
Suzuki Motorcycle India has an installed capacity to churn out 5.4 lakh units annually. The company gets 80 per cent of its sales from scooter segment and the rest from bikes.