Escorts Yamaha To Go Slow On Scooters

Escorts Yamaha Motor Ltd (EYML) has put its much-publicised plan to foray into the scooter segment on the backburner.

''Though the research activities with regard to scooters is still on in Japan, we have decided to go slow on the whole idea. The scooter market is currently down and we intend to concentrate more on motorcycles, a segment which has high demand,'' EYML director of business development Nikhil Nanda told UNI.

The company, he said, would launch the scooters after the year 2000. Nanda added: ''An investment of around Rs 150 crore had been envisaged for the project, a plant for which may be set up in Haryana.'' The company, to begin with, will get just one scooter at the entry level segment and then go on to introduce newer models.EYML, which is a 50-50 joint venture between Escorts Ltd and Yamaha Motor Company (YMC), also intends to launch a four-stroke high-powered motorcycle by June next year.

 

''The 125 cc bike has been designed by YMC purely for India. It will be priced at approximately Rs 48,000 and will deliver a power of 11 bhp,'' he added. The highlight of the motorcycle would be its fuel efficiency.

Meanwhile, company sources said, following the launch of the four stroke bike, the company will also be introducing a light-utility four stroke motorcycle called YD 125. To be launched in the last quarter of 1999, the bike is expected to be slightly cheaper than the model to be launched in June next. The three new two-wheeler models formally launched on Saturday night were the Yamaha RXZ, Escorts Ace and Toro Rosa.

The RXZ is powered by a 12 bhp, two-stroke, 132 cc engine. It incorporates the internationally patented Yamaha Energy Induction System (Yeis), ''a system so advanced that it automatically adjusts vital engine functions for optimum fuel efficiency and power at all speed levels.''

The Ace incorporates the alfin cylinder that ensures better cooling for the engine and is ideally suited for the tropical climate of India.

It boasts of a 173 cc engine that delivers 10 bhp of power.

The Toro Rosa is a moped powered with a two-stroke, 2.67 bhp engine.