Castrol mulls 9 more bike service centres

Castrol India Limited will open nine more bike service stations in Gujarat by the end of 2006.

Parinjay, business head of Castrol BikeZone division, said, "The number of service stations will be increased to 12 by the end of 2006. The company has decided to add two service stations in Ahmedabad, one in Vadodara and three each in Rajkot and Surat by the end of 2006." On Wednesday, it launched three Castrol BikeZones in Ahmedabad

Under the company's business diversification strategy, Castrol India entered into the two-wheeler service market a year back and is increasing its presence across the country.

"Initially, we expect a traffic of 50 bikes in our service station," said Parinjay. Speaking on the Gujarat market, he said the company expected 20 per cent growth from its Gujarat operation. The two-wheeler population in Gujarat is approximately 40 lakh.

Apart from Gujarat, the company will increase its presence from 13 to 18 cities by the end of the year, while the service stations will be raised from 51 to 90, he said.

The Castrol BikeZone service stations are set up on a franchisee model but the company maintains checks on functioning like the training of the mechanic and spare parts.

According to the company, the total vehicle service market is worth Rs 6,000 crore and would double in the next five years.

"The company intends to be a market leader in the two-wheeler service segment in the next five years," added Parinjay.