Suzuki plans to launch 100cc scooter in FY13

Suzuki Motorcycle India is looking to expand its offering in the scooter segment and the company is contemplating launch of a scooter in the 100cc category. It is currently evaluating the market potential for the new product and hope to finalise its plans by this financial year. “In the scooter segment, there are products in 100cc category, some products are below the 100cc category and a few in the 125 cc segment. We are present in the 125 cc segment with our two products Access and Swish. We are now looking at the 100cc segment. We have done research and based on that we will take a call and make an announcement,“ Anand Thakur, national head-sales, Suzuki Motorcycle India told Financial Chronicle. “Since we have already established our presence in the 125cc, we don't want to leave any other opportunity available in the scooter segment,“ he said, adding, “the company will be able finalise its plans by during this financial year,“ he added. The proposed plan would be part of company's plan to launch six-seven new products across categories in motorcycle and scooter segments by next year. Suzuki had launched its second scooter Swish during February this year as its first product Access is almost more than four years in the country. The company claims about 15 per cent share in the scooter segment. According to Thakur, the Swish brand is part of the scooter family, but targets more towards the younger generation in the age category of 22-15 years while Access has been positioned for the consumers in the age group of above 25 years. “In terms of value proposition, Suzuki's scooter Access125 scores well over competition given that it is a higher powered, higher engine capacity scooter that also comes along with a penetrative price tag,“ according to an Icra report. “Since the target segment for both Access125 as well as Swish125 remain the same, the brands are more likely to cannibalise into each others' volumes rather than increase the addressable market for Suzuki,“ it added. While the motorcycle segment has been seeing some slow down in sales in the past few months, scooters continue to post record sales and the segment is expected to sustain strong growth rate, driven by the urban female population.