DSK Motowheels is planning to enter the mass commuter segment by introducing a 125cc and 150cc variants, even as it remains focussed on the premium superbike segment in the short run, according to its director Shirish Kulkarni.
The company will now assemble, market and sell Hyosung bikes in India after its recent purchase of the motorcycle business of Garware Motors.
“DSK and S&T Motors (Hyosung) will work together to come up with new models in the 125cc and 150cc segments. These will be made in India for India,” he said, adding that the price points of these will put them in the same league as the Heros, Hondas and Bajajs among others.
The Hyosung business was loss-making for Garware and the latter sought DSK’s help in marketing. DSK, which did not want another dealership, offered to buy that out, he said.
The company, which now has a plant in Pune, is looking to set up a new plant entailing an investment of Rs 300 crore. Though it is keen on having its plant in Maharashtra, it is also studying options including Goa, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, he said.
The plant will be up in two years with a capacity to make 100,000 units. The company is looking to launch the commuter bikes around the same time.
The plans to bring a battery-operated vehicle from Hyosung to India will take some time to fructify. “We will decide on the battery-operated model based the success it meets in South Korea,” he said.
DSK Motowheels on Wednesday launched GT 250R, a 250cc super bike priced at Rs 2.8 lakh. “This 250cc product will target the mass segment of superbikers who have been aspiring to buy (a superbike),” he said adding that Hyderabad over the last one year has received a good response.
Last year, it sold 611 units of super bikes and is hopeful of doing 1,000 this year. For the GT 250 R, it set a 2,500 unit target, he said adding that one more 250 cc super bike will be launched during the year.
There are now 18 dealers selling Hyosung bikes and the number will go up to 40 in a year, Kulkarni added.
