Suzuki plans 250 cc by 2008, 4 bikes by 2010

Even as the top three players Hero Honda, Bajaj and TVS fight it out in the growing mass market 100 cc and 125 cc segments, Suzuki Motorcycles India Pvt Ltd (SMI), a 100% subsidiary of Japanese auto major Suzuki Motor Corporation, is gearing up for a presence across all the segments of the Indian two-wheeler industry and plans to launch four new bikes over the next three years. On the anvil is a foray into the fast growing premium segment, with two (250 cc and 150 cc) of the planned four launches to be in the premium segment and the other two in the high volume, fast growing executive segment.

Being a late entrant in the Indian market, SMI intends to create a separate market for itself and plans to come out with a 250 cc bike by the end of 2008. Sources close to the company said, "Following the launch of the 150 cc bike in mid-2008, the company will launch two variants of the 250 cc motorcycle. One of them would be a sports bike and the other would be a naked/muscular bike."

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of company's new 125 cc scooter Access, Atul Gupta, vice-president (sales and marketing), SMI, said, “By March 2010, we would be adding at least 3-4 products to our current product portfolio, which would give us a presence across all the segments. We would be a niche player in the premium segment with our high-end product and we would be a mass player in the executive segment."

The company has already invested Rs 350 crore and it will be investing Rs 150 crore more on capacity expansion, dealer networks and product development. It will be ramping up its production capacity to 1 million from the current capacity of 1,75,000 units by 2010.

Gupta said that the exports were currently minimal, but post 2010, the company intends to make India the export hub for the markets like Africa, South America, and countries around India.

The company's premium play would also include importing its cult super bikes Hayabusa and ZXR as completely built units (CBU) in next six to eight months. It has a market share of close to 1% today, and it expects to take it upto 4% by 2010. It is also plans to double its dealer network to 290 over the next one year from the current 145.