Suzuki Motors
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
Suzuki Motor Corporation is considering to buy the stake owned by Managing Director of Suzuki Motorcycles India Ltd (SMIPL), Mr Satya Sheel, in its Indian two-wheeler subsidiary.Suzuki Motor Corporation’s move in this direction could make the Indian two-wheeler company its wholly owned subsidiary. SMIPL, however, declined to reveal the exact stake currently held by Mr Sheel in the company.
Suzuki Motors launched of its two premium bikes Hayabusa and Intruder priced at Rs 12.5 lakh. While the Hayabusa comes with 1,340cc engine, the Intruder is equipped with 1,783cc v-twin engine. The launch is to make sure that Suzuki brand gets strengthened in the country despite such economic conditions globally. Suzuki Motors has already received 28 orders combined for both the bikes. We are aiming to sell 300 bikes—hoping to corner almost 50 per cent of the market share of 800cc plus segment which currently stands at 650 units. The bike would be imported from Japan attract a duty of 105 per cent for bringing it into the country.
With regard to the other bike and scooter models that it sells in the country such as Heat, Zeus and Access in the 125cc and GS150 R in 150cc segment, Suzuki Motors expects the demand to remain steady. The company has a capacity to produce 15,000 bikes and scooters a month, which it is expanding to 22,000 units.
In May this year, Italian bike maker Ducati also entered the Indian market with its bikes in the price range of Rs 15-50 lakh.