Motorcycle brand Benelli has inked a technical tie-up with the Pune-based DSK Motowheels to bring the 103-year-old Italian superbike brand to India. Incidentally, DSK also makes and markets a range of products of Korean superbike brand Hyosung.
The first product to be launched under the partnership with Benelli will be five superbike models ranging from 300-1,130 cc in size.
To be built at DSK Motowheels’ plant at Wai near Pune from completely knocked down kits sourced from Benelli plants in Italy and China, the bikes are due to be launched commercially in the Indian market in around two months.
Speaking on the Indian foray, Frank Zuang, Board Director, Benelli QJ SRL, said that Benelli planned to be a major player in the Indian two-wheeler market in the long term.
“We will gradually introduce a wide range of products, and continue to expand from single cylinder to four-cylinder products; from 125, 600, 1,130 to 1,600 cc (bikes) to a complete Benelli product range.”
Elaborating on the new venture, Shirish Kulkarni, Chairman, DSK Motowheels, said that the Benelli range will be operationally independent from Hyosung and the products will be sold through a completely separate network of dealerships. “”We will set up eight Benelli dealerships by January 2015 and add 12 more till the end of next year,” he said.
DSK currently makes its bikes at a plant in Wai where it has invested approximately Rs 100 crore, and has a current capacity of 6,000 units per annum on a two-shift basis.
With sales of Hyosung expected to touch 2,400 units in FY 15 (1,800 units last fiscal), Kulkarni said a new plant would be required to be set up in around two years.