 New Delhi: Suzuki Motor Corp. and Yamaha Motor Co. launched new models at the ongoing India Auto Expo 2012 in a bid to attract more buyers in the world's second-largest two-wheeler market.
Indian and Japanese two-wheeler makers are introducing new vehicles and seeking to ramp up production in the South Asian nation as demand for better-designed and low-cost motorcycles and scooters is on the rise, especially among young students and professionals.
Bollywood actor John Abraham sits on Yamaha's newly launched scooter at the 2012 India Auto Expo in New Delhi, Jan. 5.
Suzuki Motorcycles India Pvt. Ltd. launched the Hayate motorcycle in the fast-selling 110-cubic-centimeter segment, while also adding a 125-cc scooter, Swish, to its portfolio. The Swish will start selling in New Delhi for 45,431 rupees ($856) in March, the company said. But it didn't reveal the price or the sales launch date for the Hayate.
Yamaha added a scooter model, Ray, to its all-bike line-up in India. The company plans to sell the scooter later this year.
Introducing scooter models is a relatively easier way for Japanese companies to expand their market share since the much-bigger motorcycle segment is dominated by Indian companies Hero MotoCorp Ltd. and Bajaj Auto Ltd. Suzuki and the local two-wheeler unit of Honda Motor Co. already have a dominant position in the scooter segment.
Both Suzuki and Yamaha are also planning to increase their capital expenditure to grow their Indian production and widen distribution networks. While Yamaha has plans to spend eight billion rupees, Suzuki is planning an outlay of one billion rupees over the next two year.
|
