New Bike Launches in India

 

Big budget deals and makeover in progress

 

Japanese motorcycle giant Honda is making profit from their ex-joint venture Hero Honda even post break-up. Honda first sold their stake in the joint venture to their partner Hero group for almost Rs 4,000 crore last December. Hero however, is still dependent on Honda for technology. So as an immediate measure, Hero has struck a deal with Honda where the former will produce the Honda engines for their existing products under a licence till June 2014. Hero will pay around Rs 2,350 crore for the same over the course of the deal as royalty to Honda! On the other hand, Hero is now focusing on their solo run in the Indian motorcycle market where they are currently the leaders. It has hired a UK based creative agency Law and Kenneth to create a new brand identity and its communication, along with another international firm Wolff Olins for the same job. Hero wants to revamp their brand completely and though allowed by Honda to retain their name till 2014, want to change the brand name and logo to suit their new strategies.

 

Words: Piyush Sonsale

BMW bikes to sport Hero gearboxes

Hero Motors recently signed an agreement with BMW Motors, under which the former will become sole supplier of gearboxes to BMW Motorrad, the two-wheeler arm of BMW Motors. Hero would be developing motorcycle gearboxes both for domestic and international markets.

The deal would be valid for a timespan of four or five years, depending on the transmissions sourced for different products by BMW Motorrad. Pankaj Munjal, managing director, Hero Motors, said, “We have developed the gearbox ourselves. Usually, components such as engines and transmissions are made by the company itself, as they involve advanced technology. We have achieved the expertise. BMW Motorrad will source gearboxes from us for products it sells globally.” “That Europe is the best place for sourcing components is not necessarily correct. The landscape is changing. Our transmission business, for one, has been growing over 70% a year for the last few years, he added. 

Hero Motors is part of the Hero Group business conglomerate that is worth around $4.5-billion globally.

Words: Saeed Akhtar

Launched with a face-lift

 

Hero Honda have introduced a face-lifted version of their 150-cc commuter, CBZ Xtreme. Apart from the following cosmetic changes, there is no change in the 149.2-cc, single cylinder air-cooled engine of the bike.

 

1. Digital- analog combo instrument cluster

2. Ignition shutter

3. Side-fairing on fuel tank with new graphics

4. New 5-spokes alloys

5. Front and rear disc brakes

6. LED tail lamp

7. New rear shockers

8. Exhaust shield

9. Clip-ons

10. Step pillion seat

11. Undercowl for engine

 

The new Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme has been priced at Rs 72247 and Rs. 68942 (OTR, Delhi and Mumbai respectively).

 

Words: Gasha Aeri

Bikes to be available in 5 cities; bookings open now!

Bike fanatics in India have a reason to rejoice as Garware Motors along with S&T Motors today announced the launch of two new super bikes – GT650R and ST7. The GT650R fully faired sports bike is priced at Rs. 4,75,000 (ex-showroom-Delhi) for single tone colour and Rs. 4,90,000 (ex-showroom-Delhi) for the dual tone colour, whereas ST7, a 700cc cruiser, is priced at Rs. 5,69,000 (ex-showroom-Delhi). Deliveries of these bikes will start by mid of June.

The bikes were unveiled by Ms Diya Garware – MD of Garware Motors and Dr. Taekwon Kim, President S & T Motors Corporation.

Garware Motors will open bookings for these bikes from April 20, 2011 and will be initially available in five cities – Pune, Mumbai, NCR, Bangalore and Goa. The dealers appointed will be the sole retailers for Garware-Hyosung motorcycles, genuine parts and accessories and will operate authorized service centers across all cities in India. Garware Motors has plans to open 5 more dealerships in Hyderabad, Cochin, Chennai, Ahmedabad & Chandigarh within next 2 months. During this introductory period offer, customers also get a ‘Welcome Kit’ which consists of a helmet, performance T Shirt, cool Glares, Leather Key chain & a Garware- Hyosung cap.

Garware Motors has also tied up with HDFC bank, India’s leading financier of two wheelers. HDFC bank would be providing retail finance to Hyosung customers at very attractive rates.

TVS StaR crosses 30 lakh mark

TVS Motor Company recently announced that their 100-cc commuter TVS StaR has crossed the 30 lakh unit sales mark since its inception in 2004. TVS offers ‘TVS Assurance’ a 5-year, 50,000 km warranty on TVS Star range of bike, which includes Star, Star City and Star Sport.

Moreover, the successful and dependable captain who led the the Indian Cricket team to become the world champion, MS Dhoni, makes an inspiring brand ambassador for the popular city commuter.

Words: Gasha Aeri