Royal Enfield to enter American Market
Royal Enfield, the classic Indian motorbike maker has a firm wish to go into the Latin American market and wishes to begin this venture with Brazil. The company is apparently in talks with various contract manufacturers in Brazil. Royal Enfield is looking for a contract manufacturer as the corporation doesn't mean to raise the stakes too high and enter an unknown market all by themselves. The Brazilian two-wheeler market is approximately 6-7million units a year and it would benefit Royal Enfield if they go into this market. This venture will also help them to build a bigger footprint the world of two-wheelers. However, the company has not released any information confirming these plans.
Mahindra unleashes MotoGP 2011 Team
Hero Honda Executes Licensing Agreement
Aprilia Unleashes RSV4 Factory
Aprilia has unveiled the RSV4 Factory at the Mumbai worldwide Motor Show. It is the flagship from the Aprilia stable and is built on the same philosophy that drives the Aprilia Race Division. The engine of the Aprilia RSV4 Factory is the most powerful that Ccompany has ever built. Its great compact 180 HP, 999.6 cc, 65° V-four cylinder engine is designed for most power and uses ride-by-wire multimap technology that opens up new frontiers in engine management, with infinite chance for future development. The engine also sports a sophisticated electronic injection organization with 2 injectors and changeable height ducts for superior performance. Piaggio India is proud to unveil the superbike Aprilia RSV4 Factory in India. This bike is a living example of the hi-tech advantage that Piaggio offers to clients across the globe. We are in the process of bringing our global line-up of very much successful superbikes to India. We believe that today’s young and mobile Indian has a strong appetite for strong bikes, and we see vast potential for Aprilia in India. This bike has put globe racing tracks ablaze with it sheer power and knowledge and it will hit Indian roads soon,” Ravi Chopra, Chairman and MD, Piaggio India said.
Bajaj Auto’s Net Profit up by 40 %
Bajaj Auto Limited has posted a net profit of Rupees 6671.10 mn for the quarter ended 31 st December 2010 as compared to Rs. 4751.40 mn for the quarter ended 31st December 2009. Total Income has increased from rupees 33306.80 mn for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 to Rs. 42765.40 mn for the quarter ended 31st December 2010. EBITDA margin for the quarter stood at 20.3% margins continue to be the highest in the industry. Annualised EPS for 9M / 2010-11 Rupees 89.3 as against Rupees 58.8 for 2009-10. ROCE (operating) at 223 percent. The quarter witnessed an all round growth in input cost. In this demanding environment, the company's focus on high-end motorcycles enabled it to maintain record high margins in excess of 20 percent.
Pulsar recorded its maximum sales, 262,000 vehicless; maintaining its dominance in the sports segment market share of 50 percent. Discover sold -327,000 vehicles during the quarter. The high-end motorcycles now contribute over 70% of company's total motorcycle sales. Overall, market share was 31% in Q3 / FY11. Demand for commercial vehicles, especially exports, continues to be tough. Now the company is facing capacity constraints in its four stroke range of products. Demand from overseas marketplace is robust. Bajaj Auto's targets record exports of US $1bn for the year. As on 31st December 2009, cash and cash equivalents stood at rupees 38.21bn as against Rs. 32.63bn as on 31st March 2010. Company is positive of achieving EBITDA margins of 20% for the year.
Suzuki India Launches Slingshot Plus
Bajaj fails to sell 4 million bikes in 2010-11
Aprilia Planning to launch RSV4 Factory in India
Aprilia will present the RSV4 Factory on the 20th of January, 2011. Powered by a 65-degree 999.6 cc, V-4 engine, the company’s first production four-cylinder engine produces maximum power of 177 hp at 12,500 rpm with maximum torque of115 Nm at 10,000 Rpm. The Aprilia RSV4 Factory weighs in at 179kgs thanks to carbon fiber and features twin 320 mm diameter suspended discs with Brembo monobloc radial 4-piston calipers at the front and 220 milimetre diameter disc with Brembo 2-piston calipers at the rear. The first Aprilla outlet will be at Pune and the motorbike RSV4 Factory is expected to cost around Rs. 18 lakhs.
Royal Enfield Planning to Setup Plant in Andhra Pradesh
Eicher Motors is planing to setup its largest ever capability to manufacture Royal Enfield Motorcycles in Andhra Pradesh. The company is in talks with the state government for acquiring 75 acres of land in City. The project which will see an investment of Rs 250 crore will be implemented in 2 phases. The first phase will construct a manufacturing facility for 1.5 lakh bikes per annum. The second phase will result in expand manufacture capability to 2.5 lakh units per year. The AP Government will offer various incentives, reimbursements and subsidised power as per the state’s industrial policy.
Ducati Corse has released the first pictures of Valentino Rossi
Ducati Corse has released the first pictures of Valentino Rossi in their colours, posing with his Desmosedici GP11 bike at their annual pre-season 'Wroom' event. Rossi has retained the flouroscent green colour on his leathers but its a fashion calamity combined with Ducati's red. And his Bike has it too! The figure '46' on the nose is of course flouro-green along with the seat border, tank and the tail piece.
Nicky Hayden meanwhile has matching the red with black this year. The AMG logo is also present on both Rossi and Nicky hayden's bike and leathers. The bright livery of Rossi's motorbike is a reminisce of his wild paintjobs during the 125cc and 250cc days with Aprilia. Hope he rides so too.