Yamaha, Hero Honda, Suzuki and TVS log growth in sales
Yamaha India has reported an increase of 63% in its sales during August 2009, at 19,508 units, as compared to 11,974 units sold in August last year. The company has bookings for over 12,000 units for its latest bike that was launched in India recently - the 150cc Fazer.
Hero Honda reports an increase of 35.88% in sales during August this year, at 415,137 units, as compared to 305,516 units sold in August last year. 'With sales of more than four lakh units, August 2009 has been a month of record sales for Hero Honda,' said Anil Dua, senior VP (marketing and sales), Hero Honda.
Up next is Suzuki, which logged a 17.68% increase in its two-wheeler sales in India during August this year, at 13,030 units, as against 11,072 units sold during August last year. According to Suzuki, its latest offering in the Indian market - the GS150R - was the main reason behind this increase in sales.
And finally, TVS Motor, which saw its total two-wheeler sales go up by 11%, at 126,842 units during August this year, as against 114, 321 units sold during August last year. TVS sold 51,127 motorcycles and 28,582 scooters in the domestic market during August 2009. The company also exported 11,747 two-wheelers during August this year, a decline of 35% over last year's figure for the same month.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
Mumbai Police To Patrol On Yamaha FZS
The Maharashtra Government is not impressed with the bland looking bikes used by the Mumbai Police. Forget speed, style is the new mantra for Aamchi Mumbai's Police force who want nothing but the stylish Yamaha FZ-S.
Thus the government plans to arm our city cops with 500 new bikes which will not only make them slightly faster but alot cooler too. The main reason for procurement of the bikes is the imitation of Europen and American police forces who have tool kits, walkie-talkie, ammunition, etc on board with them.
Via: motorbeam]
Harley Davidson Will Enter India in 2010
Harley Davidson would be importing its motorcycle through the CBU route (Completely Built Units) and its base model is expected to be priced at Rs. 7 Lakh onward, while higher end models would cost even more. Harley Davidson is one of world's oldest motorcycle manufacturer with over 107 years of history behind it.
Harley-Davidson expects to start selling its best in the world cruiser motorcycles in January 2010. The company has established a subsidiary to be located in Gurgaon, near Delhi, and has begun the process of seeking dealers. "As India continues to extend its global reach, so does Harley-Davidson," said Levatich. "We believe Harley-Davidson has outstanding opportunities for continued growth around the world."
The company's current approach is to import its motorcycles, accessories and riding gear, and it will continue to evaluate how best to evolve its approach to the market as Harley-Davidson's business in India grows. Harley-Davidson is the global leader in cruising and touring motorcycles and ranks as one of the strongest brands in the world, with motorcycle sales now in more than 70 countries.
The company will focus its initial steps in India on growing the Harley-Davidson brand through a variety of consumer experiences and on establishing a local dealer network. The Harley-Davidson subsidiary in India will be led by Managing Director Anoop Prakash, who said the company has begun the process of identifying initial dealers in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Punjab State.
Kawasaki to move motorcycle production from Japan to Thailand
According to a Bloomberg report, Kawasaki will start shifting the production of some of its medium-sized and large motorcycles from Japan to Thailand, from next year. The aim would be to take advantage of lower costs and cheaper labour in Thailand. Kawasaki isn't the first major motorcycle manufacturer to go to Thailand - Triumph already has two manufacturing facilities in that country.
Kawasaki remains the only Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer that still hasn't managed to set up operations in India. The company does have some kind of an agreement in place with Bajaj Auto though, and the latter is expected to launch the Kawasaki Ninja 250R in India before the end of this year.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
Rossi among top five most paid athletes
Who says motorcycle racing isn't a paying career? The recent figures from Sports Illustrated reveal that MotoGP star, Valentino Rossi is the fifth most paid athlete in the world. His earnings stand at a staggering US$ 3,50,00,000 or 170 crore rupees per annum!
This amount includes salary, bonuses, endorsement incomes and appearance fees. Rossi was placed seventh last year but improved his standing this time and shares the fifth position with F1 champ Fernando Alonso. Just to make our readers understand how much he earns, the Italian MotoGP rider's yearly earnings can fetch him more than 2000 brand new 2009 Yamaha R1s.
[Via: BIKE]
Bajaj Auto sales show marginal decline in July 2009
Bajaj Auto has reported a negligible decline (less than 0.5%) in its motorcycle sales during July this year, at 168,163 units, as compared to 168,971 units sold in July 2008. The company's total two-wheeler sales declined from 169,971 units in July 2008 to 168,731 units in July this year. Exports improved marginally, from 67,253 units in July 2008 to 68,585 units during July this year.
Bajaj's total sales (including three-wheelers) in July this year stood at 192,835 units, as compared to 193,704 units in July 2008. According to a company press release, Bajaj expects its performance to improve over the next few months. The company is also expected to launch a new entry-level commuter bike in the 100-125cc segment, though there is still no word on when it'll launch the much-awaited Kawasaki Ninja 250R.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
New bike from Bajaj in four months time
Bajaj India is going to launch a new bike in next four months. The new bike would be Bajaj's attempt to put some speed breakers in the path of the Splendor and Passion motorcycles from Hero Honda, which rule the roost.
Bajaj has a meager 9% market share in the 100cc segment while its rival Hero Honda has 80%. It had launched the Discover 100cc motorcycle last month to give it some hope of moving ahead and not losing more to HH. The 100cc segment contributes to one-third of the total motorcycle market in India.
Hero Honda's 100cc models are CD Dawn, CD Deluxe, Splendour, and Passion while Bajaj has just the Discover and Platina. Naturally, progress will happen only if Bajaj fattens its line-up. With the new launches, Bajaj hopes to inch towards its previous overall 2-wheeler market share of 36%, which now has slipped to 21%.
[Via: IAB)
IYM, SMI sales up 46.85% and 20.35% in July 2009
Yamaha Motor India reported a 46.85% hike in its sales during July this year, at 17,316 units, as compared to 11,792 units sold during July 2008. IYM recently inaugurated its new manufacturing facility at Surajpur, in UP, and also launched a new variant of the FZ16 - the Fazer 150. In the meanwhile, Suzuki Motorcycle India also registered an increase of 20.35% in its sales during July this year, at 12,585 units, as compared to 10,457 units sold during July 2008.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
Hero Honda posts Rs 500 crore profit for April-June
Hero Honda, India's largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has reported a net profit of Rs 500.1 crore for the period April-June 2009, an 83% increase over the profit for the corresponding period in 2008. This increase in profit is, according to the company, on account of lower input costs and better sales figures.
Hero Honda's sales for April-June 2009 amounted to Rs 3,811 crore, a 34% increase over last year's figure. Gross profit stood at Rs 604.5 crore, a 97% increase over the figure reported in the year-ago period.
With Bajaj Auto lagging far behind at a distant second spot, Hero Honda is currently the undisputed no.1 two-wheeler manufacturer in India. The company is expected to launch a new 'premium' motorcycle - the Karizma ZMR - in the domestic market over the next few weeks, with which it hopes to take on bikes like the Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-i and the Yamaha R15.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
Hero Honda Celebrates Silver Jubilee With Expedition
In order to celebrate their Silver Jubilee, Hero Honda has flagged off an expedition by riders from the 21 Signal Group of the Army at the India Gate yesterday. The 15-day motorcycle expedition will be done on a range of Hero Honda motorcycles covering a distance of 4,047 kilometres through eight states. The expedition will continue till 11 August, 2009. The 12 Hero Honda motorcycles include Passion Plus, Hunk and Karizma.
The route comprises of desert terrain of 940 kilometres and mountainous terrain of 1310 kilometres. The motorcycle expedition involves crossing of nearly ten high altitude passes - Rohtang (13,360 feet), Baralacha-La (16,040 feet), Nakee-La ( 15,547 feet), Lachung- La (16,616 feet), Tanglang-La (17,582 feet), Chang- La (17800 feet), Marsimik- La (18632 feet), Polokhang- La, Jalori Pass and Khardung-La (18,380 ft.), which is the highest motorable road in the world and will be negotiated via the Kullu, Manali and Leh axis.
[Via: Motorbeam]