Suzuki plans to ride superbikes for growth; 2 launches next year

Mumbai: Suzuki Motorcycle India is revving up its sales plan for superbikes in India. The company aims to sell 300 units of its four superbike models-GSX-R1000, Bandit 1250S, Hayabusa-GSX1300R and Intruder-M1800R in the country this year. Suzuki, which has a share of less than 5% in the Indian motorcycles market, wants to take it to 10% by 2012.

The company plans to launch one more motorcycle and scooter next year, though it has no plans to drive in any new superbike this year.

“We are selling around 20 units of our four completely built units (CBUs). The demand has been as per our target and we hope to end this year with a sale of 300 CBUs," Anand Singh Thakur, senior manager (sales & marketing), Suzuki Motorcycle India, told FE. On plans to assemble models in India, Thakur said, "We are importing them and will continue to do that. Assembly is not on our cards.”

Of late, the superbike segment in India has seen a decent growth with all big names, from Harley-Davidson to Ducati, setting up their shop in the country. The high import duty of 110% on superbikes is a concern for motorcycle players and they see assembly a way out only if the volumes justify it.

On the same lines, the company has no plans to start producing electric cars either for the next few years, though Maruti Suzuki India is planning to showcase its hybrid technology vehicles for the Commonwealth Games. “The cost of making electric vehicles is high. It is highly unlikely that we commercially enter the electric car segment in the Indian market for the next few years,” Shashank Srivastava, chief general mananger (marketing), said.

Abdul Majeed, India automotive practice, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), said, "The superbike segment has been growing at 30-40% on a low base effect. The overall offtake in the last 12 months indicates the demand in the market. Today, all major names in this segment are present in the country."