The Hindu Business Line : Suzuki plans rolling out new models next year-end

Mumbai, Sept. 24 Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Ltd intends introducing 3-4 models by next year-end. These would cater to the 125cc plus segment in the scooter and motorcycle range, said Mr Atul Gupta, Vice-President - Sales & Marketing. The company is also evaluating the possibility of introducing high-end motorcycles to cater to the racing enthusiast.

These announcements were made on the sidelines of the company’s first offering in the scooter segment, called Access 125. It is a 125cc gearless scooter that the company launched earlier in metropolitan cities like Delhi and now in Mumbai.

The company has, however, refrained to disclose the price due to delay in delivery of a critical component on time by an ancillary company; it shall be resolved by the month-end and dispatches to dealerships will commence in the first week of next month, said Mr Satya Sheel, Managing Director, Suzuki Motorcycle India.

Dealership network

The company intends selling 5,000 units on a monthly basis. To meet customer demand, it has planned to double its existing chain of 145 nationwide dealerships by next year end.

In order to meet prospective demand for the new model offering, Suzuki Motorcycle, which had earlier invested Rs 350 crore in product development and plant set-up, will now invest Rs 150 crore further for product development and expansion. The plant has a total area of 37 acres and is equipped to manufacture 170,000 units on an annual basis. The company has commenced exports to Nepal, however the major plan is to become an export hub for countries such as South Africa and Latin America in the near future, he said

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