Hyosung 250 ready for road

Pune-based Garware Motors Ltd, which assembles and sells the Hyosung bikes in collaboration with South Korea’s S&T Motor Company, will launch two models in the 250cc segment this year. “The company will launch the Hyosung GT 250R in May this year and the GV 250R in October,” said Shiva Padaray, general manager, marketing and sales, Garware. The company is also planning to bring the Hyosung GV 650 Aquila, a cruiser-style bike. A wholly owned subsidiary of Garware Bestretch Ltd, Garware Motors made an entry into the premium superbike category last year with a range of Hyosung’s 650cc bikes. The company assembled and sold the GT 650R, the GT 650N and the ST7 Royale. In 2012-13, Garware plans to sell 3,500 to 5,000 units, with maximum sales targeted from the 250cc segment. It sold 611 units of the 650cc bikes in 2011-12. The GT 250R and the GV 250R will be priced between Rs 2.35 lakh and Rs 2.65 lakh. Of the 611 units sold last year, “50 per cent of the sales have come from the GT 650R and 35 per cent from the ST7. The rest 15 per cent are from GT 650N,” said Padaray. “The market is growing at 100 per cent rate. In 2009-10, 500 superbikes of over 650cc and above were sold. The figure stood at 1,200 in 2010-11 and last year this segment saw sales of 2,500-3,000 units,” said Padaray. Hyosung, with a sale of 611 units, has garnered a market share of 20 per cent. Besides the GT 250R and the GV 250R, “there will be a limited edition of the GV 650N too this year”, said Padaray. Garware assembles the Hyosung bikes in its plant at Wai, 100km from Pune. The company has made an initial investment of Rs 20 crore and operates a single shift. “Another Rs 55 crore to Rs 75 crore additional investment is to be made this year,” said Padaray. He said the company planned to extend its dealership network, which stands at 18 at present. Share on email Share on print Share on facebook Share on twitter More Sharing Services