New Bike Launches in India

In a market like India, where two-wheelers enjoy a major share, shrunken sales figures of motorcycles in this year comes as a surprise to many.

The data furnished by SIAM shows that such a dip has been recorded for the first time since 2009. Sales fall of 8.5 percent has been recorded, at 7,66,123 units for the month under review. The reason for this dip in sales, SIAM states, is due to high inflationary rate in the economy, especially fuel price hike, and bad spell of monsoon, which has affected the buyer sentiments in both urban and rural areas. All major two-wheeler manufacturers have suffered this fall in sales. The percentage dip in the sales of some manufacturers is- TVS Motors (the highest, 21% dip) BajajAuto (with a dip of 10% in sales). Hero Motocorp weren’t left unaffected either and their sales fell for the first time in many years, as the demand for their entry-level commuters went down. However, the company expects their sales to grow again as the festive season approaches.

 

According to a recent news report in one of the nation’s leading dailies, Hero MotoCorp will be phasing out their Impulse and Ignitor motorcycles and Maestro scooter soon as they have been launched with technology assistance from erstwhile partner Honda Motor Co of Japan.

Pawan Munjal, MD of Hero MotoCorp, said the company wants an independent robust R&D set-up, for which it has stitched up a new technology agreement with a European design and technology provider — its third such partner since its split from Honda last year. He said going forward, Hero MotoCorp wants to develop products with its new partners so that it can replace those developed with Honda.

Hero, that is setting up an integrated R&D centre near Jaipur with an investment of Rs 400 crore, has been getting aggressive in firming up alliances to guarantee new technology flow after the departure of Honda. Munjal did not disclose the name of the new European partner. In February, the company announced a partnership with US superbike company Erik Buell Racing (EBR), and in March signed a research deal with Austrian engine manufacturer AVL.

BMW Motorrad has been busy perfecting an electric scooter for a long time now.

The company has now unveiled a new “near-production” electric scooter: the BMW C evolution. The scooter boasts of a range of 100 km on one full charge. The C evolution scooter can reach a 70 percent charge after approximately thirty minutes spent plugged in. BMW claims that the C evolution has outstanding performance for an e-scooter, with a low center of gravity and the instant high-torque nature of the electric motor both combining to make the vehicle more than a match for the current crop of maxi scooters sporting a capacity in excess of 600 cc. The C evolution’s motor churns out 11 kW continuous output and 35 kW peak output and achieves its 100 km range from a 8 kWh battery. The generator function of the alternator creates drag torque, resulting in the familiar engine brake that takes effect when reducing the accelerator on a normal fuel two-wheeler. The C evolution further performs energy recuperation when braking by converting kinetic energy into electrical energy in order to charge the battery.

There’s no news yet as to when we can expect the C evolution electric scooter to hit the market, nor the price it will command once it appears and even if it will come to India. However, BMW is currently undertaking trials of the C evolution in London, presumably with a view to beginning a wider manufacturing process relatively soon.

Japanese automotive heavyweights Honda have planned to form a joint venture with local players in Bangladesh.

As you might be aware, Honda used to sell their motorcycles in Bangladesh through Hero MotoCorp, but since their split in 2011 Honda are planning to re-enter market on their own. A JV with local businesses is the best bet for the Japanese heavyweight in order to set-up a low cost assembly facility, with an annual sales target of 10,000 to 20,000 units. With launches like the Dream Yuga, Shine and Twister along with the evergreen Activa and Dio – and more new models being planned for semi-urban and rural markets – the Japanese marque are also looking to increase dealership network in India. Now, with Honda entering the Bangladesh market independently shortly, it can be said that their motto “Power of dreams” is surely driving them in their pursuit to become No.1 in the Indian sub-continent.

The next-gen Ninja series is ready to be officially unveiled in the USA

Of late, there has been an overkill of Kawasaki Ninja news. Love it or hate it, but you surely can’t ignore it. Here’s another interesting news bit on the international marque. This time round, Kawasaki Motorcycle Corp. USA are set to go big at the ‘Big Apple’ come September 13th. The famed Japanese two-wheeler maker is gearing up for the global debut of its 2013 Ninja line-up, which includes the beastly ZX-10R, ZR-6R and the baby Ninja 250R. The company will stream out a live feed of the line-up reveal at New York’s famed Times square. Aptly themed as the ‘Ninja Times Square Takeover’, the city that never sleeps is going to be painted green from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

 

Kawasaki have planned out a two-block display of their motorcycles, as well as their celebration carnival which stretches along Broadway from West 45th to West 47th Street. For all you die-hard Kawasaki fans, the highlight of the celebration will be great music, give-aways, along with special celebrity guests and the legendary Kawasaki motorcycles like the ZX-1 on display.

Looks like the US of A is gonna have a heck of a ‘green day’!