New Bike Launches in India

 

Bike India meets the Ducati top bosses at the Diavel Asia launch in China

 

Italian sportsbike maker Ducati has been expanding its brand presence in India steadily in the last few years. It currently has three dealerships in the country and has launched most of its motorcyles here. We met the brand’s top management at the Asian launch of their latest offering, the Diavel that isexpected to be launched in India anytime now with a pricetag of around Rs 20 lakh. The Diavel is Ducati’s first cruiser, sharing its engine with their flagship 1198 Superbike. Like every other manufacturer, Ducati is also excited about the growing Indian market. They have a brand image as an exotic Italian bike marquee and want to cash in on the strong motorcycle culture in India. However, Ducati will only sell premium, taking into consideration that they have hardly any niche left in the volume segment that is dominated by the Japanese. They want to stay true to their L-twin engine-Trellis frame formula, offering only their global products here. However, to improve their position in Asia, Ducati is setting up a production plant in Thailand which will be operational by the end of this year. This will reduce the prices of their bikes in India due to the free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

 

Words: Piyush Sonsale

 

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

InterGlobe Aviation, popularly known as owners of Indigo Airlines, brings in Vyrus, Hollister custombikes and Grinnall trikes to India

InterGlobe General Aviation transfigured its identity as InterGlobe Established Products PrivateLimited – THE ESTD and has brought a bunch of luxury and lifestyle products for the growingpopulation of high net worth individuals (HNIs) in India. The portfolio includes Italy based Vyrusbikes, Germany based Hollister Custom Motorcycles and U.K. based Grinnall. Nigel Harwood,President and CEO, THE ESTD, informed that he wishes to cater to the growing number of youngHNIs in India who seek thrill and adventure by representing a number of global luxury productmanufacturers in the country. Commenting on the arrival of Hollister bikes in the country, Harwoodannouced that its time for the current Harley Davidson bike owners in India to switch over to evenheavier Hollister custom motorcycles. Volker Sichler of Hollister Motorcycles expressed his happinessover being represented in India under the brand, THE ESTD. He disclosed that around 90 percentHarley owners in Europe spend an average of 10,000 euros in customising their bikes besides the costof the bikes. A handmade, base model of Hollister custom bike costs roughly 30,000 euros in Germany.Hollister displayed their Custom Twin Special which sported a stretched 16 liter fuel tank with a singleseat. According to Sichler, the bike could be customised and delivered to the customers in India within6 months of order. The Custom Twin Special is likely to cost over Rs 38 lakh including the importduties.

 

 

Also on the display was a Vyrus. They are known as a small scale sports bike manufacturer whichproduces only 2 models namely 984 and 985. The maker sources engines from Ducati (a 2 valve 992 ccand a 4 valve 999 cc for 984 and 985 respectively, both mated to a 6 speed gear box). Both the modelswould be available for sales in India and are expected to cost over Rs 20 lakh. Further, the brand wouldalso represent Grinnall trikes in India which are known to be built using engines from BMW. The trikescome with the options of 2 front wheels and a rear wheel as well as 1 front wheel and 2 rear wheels.Besides the bikes, brand The ESTD would also offer select super cars such as Koenigsegg, Gumpert,Deronda and luxury yachts and boats.

 

Words: Amit Panday

Harley Davidson has announced an addition to its present range of models this year

US motorcycle major Harley Davidson will be launching one more model in India, the Forty-Eight . With this addition the company will be to able cater to its ever growing fan following in India even better. The urban brawler will surely woo the customers with its power and performance. Introduced to the Indian market at Rs. 8,50,000 (ex-showroom Delhi) the motorcycle is available across all Harley Davidson dealerships in India.

 

 

The new Harley is a factory custom motorcycle on the lines of the traditional Sportster but with an appeal of the Dark Custom bikes. The bike sports a traditionally styled “peanut” tank exposing more of the rubber-mounted Evolution 1200cc V-Twin engine. The low solo seat, under-mounted mirrors, side mount license plate, clear rear fender all emphasize the Forty-Eights chiseled customization and add to the minimalistic look even as old school look meets the new school technology. Along with custom cool styling the motorcycle also has new front fork sliders, a beefy front tire provides a dominating front end with smooth ride and solid handling whereas slammed rear suspension gives confidence to riders of all sizes and experience. The forward foot controls will give an opportunity to kick back and stretch your legs as you cruise across the highways.

Extremely radical, expensive and exclusive Italian motorcycles are here to loosen your purse strings

Be it cars or bikes, India is the new battlefield for almost all the manufacturers in the world, no matter how big or small they may be. Vyrus (no typo there) Motorcycles, an extremely small and exclusive motorcycle manufacturer from Italy, has tied up with InterGlobe Enterprises to market its motorcycles in India. The company, based in Rimini, Italy, is primarily known for its collaborations with Bimota and Ducati, but also manufactures its own line of motorcycles which are sold to an exclusive clientele at a stratospheric price. In India, that translates to a possible sticker price anywhere from Rs. 12.5 lakh to Rs. 30 lakh, depending on the level of customisation.

Vyrus is just one of the exclusive marques that InterGlobe Enterprises, owner of Indigo Airlines, is bringing to India. The company is also in talks to usher Koenigsegg, Grinnall and Hollister motorcycles on Indian shores. 

Words: Saeed Akhtar

Two wheeler sales in India rises in the 2^nd month of 2011 too

India’s two-wheeler market is showing no signs of slowing down as the sales momentum was kept going in the month of February, with all the three major manufacturers, Hero Honda, Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor, recording better growth than the previous month. Bajaj topped the list of companies exporting their vehicles followed by TVS, while Hero Honda made four lakh plus sales.

The Pune based company, Bajaj Auto, sold a total of 286,657 units resulting in a 22% increase since last year. Exports of the company too rose by 32% as they sold 102,433 units. Hero Honda, India’s largest two wheeler company, posted a 24% growth whereas TVS’s sales of two wheelers grew to 23 % in the month of February. Hero Honda sold 472,055 units, crossing the 4 lakh mark for the 10^th consecutive month.