Royal Enfield, India’s oldest maker of motorcycles, is looking to double its sales at 150,000 units during the next year (2013) as against 75,000 units sold in 2011. For the year 2012, the company is aiming to sell 100,000 bikes.
To meet the growing demand for its high performance motorcycles, the company is setting up its second manufacturing plant at Oragadam near in Chennai with an investment of Rs 150 crore. It has purchased 50 acres in Oragadam to set up the plant, which would commence production during the first quarter of 2013, Shaji Koshy, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Royal Enfield, said.
“Last year we sold 75,000 units, whereas we have achieved that mark in the first three quarters of this year. Our monthly sales volume has increased to 10,000 units from 7,000 units in January this year. With the launch of Thunderbird 500, we hope to double our sales in 2013,” he said.
Talking to reporters after the launch of Thunderbird 500 and the all-new Thunderbird 350 here today, Koshy said the company would have a combined manufacturing capacity of 150,000 units in 2013. It has also increased its dealer network in the country to 237 outlets. The company will start delivering the newly-launched bike from end of November and customers, who have booked Thunderbird 350, would be given a choice to shift to Thunderbird 500 before commencing the booking for new customers, he added.
