Escorts Mulling Bike For Services

Escorts Yamaha Motor Company, the 50:50 joint venture between Yamaha Motor Company of Japan and Escorts, is exploring the possibility of launching a new two-wheeler aimed at defence and the police.

"We are in dialogue with defence and the police officials to develop a new motorcycle in collaboration with our overseas partner," said Anil Katyal, general manager (marketing), Escorts Yamaha Motor.

Instead of going in for an entirely new model, the joint venture plans unveil an upgraded model of its existing model, Katyal said. The new model will have an engine with higher horse power, lower cc and will be economical, said Katyal, during the launch of Yamaha RXZ here yesterday.

 

Yamaha RXZ is the first model to be launched by the joint venture and is the first of a series of new models to be launched by the company.

The new 112bhp two-stroke model with a 132cc engine will have the internationally patented Yamaha's energy induction system (YEIS) which automatically adjusts vital engine functions for optimum fuel efficiency and power at all speed levels. The model will cost Rs 43,500 on road. The company expects to sell more than 30,000 units in the first 12 months. "We hope to sell about 400-500 new RXZ in the next two-three weeks before the Pujas," said Katyal. "The launch of Yamaha RXZ will be followed closely by the launch of Escorts Ace, a 175cc bike with alfin heart, and Toro Rosa, a 50cc moped.

"The new two-wheelers are expected to offer convenience, economy and style," Katyal said.

While the stellar styling of Escorts Ace is the outcome of aerodynamic perfection and design integration by the body engineering specialists, Toro Rosa is the upgraded version of the two-stroke Toro Jazz with a 2.67 BHP kick-start engine.

Escorts Yamaha Motor Company, which controls over 28 per cent of the motorcycle segment, also proposes to enter the scooter segment and are currently in the process of developing a new model.

The investment has been estimated at over Rs 500 crore. The company hopes to complete the Rs 550-crore expansion programme at its Noida unit, Uttar Pradesh, by 1997-98-end.

With the completion of the expansion, the company proposes to launch four-stroke motorcycle by the mid-1998.