M&M to launch motorbikes in a few months

Mahindra & Mahindra is planning to launch motorcycles ranging from low-cost to premium models, within the next few months. The company’s two-wheeler unit, headed by Anoop Mathur, is expected to break even in FY 2011-12, and will equal its immensely successful tractor and SUV businesses in size within the next 7 years. For its motorcycle unit, the company will use designs created by Italian company Engines Engineering, which it acquired in 2008. It may also export motorcycles to Latin America, Africa and other countries in South Asia, after starting operations in India.

M&M entered the two-wheeler segment in 2008, seeing the huge growth potential in it, and hopes to become a major player in the segment over the next few years. This may not be easy, however, with India’s two-wheeler space dominated by well-established brands like Hero Honda and Bajaj. The two-wheeler market in the country is almost five times bigger than its passenger car market.