Bike RPM

Honda India Aims Big

Honda India is betting big on the Indian market. The company expects to sell approximately 1.25 million two-wheelers in the ongoing fiscal year 2009-10 and continue this growth by selling 1.5 million units in 2010-11. The company is also very upbeat about its recently launched 110cc mass-commuter, the CB Twister , expecting it to sell around 220,000 units this year.

Its plant at Manesar, Haryana, has brimmed its full capacity of 1.5 million units per annum and the company is conducting a study on the feasibility of setting up its second plant in the country. Honda was considering to leave Haryana, where its existing factory is located, due to the labour unrest last year as the Japanese major incurred a loss of over Rs 300 crore due to the labour issue. Back in 2005 the firm had witnessed a violent strike by workers that shook the Gurgaon-Manesar belt.

“We are not averse to Haryana,” HMSI’s Operating Head, Sales and Marketing N K Rattan stated, speaking on the topic of the location of the second plant. He also added that a formal announcement on the topic is expected by next month-end. The buzz is that HMSI is considering the three major auto hubs of the country, namely Manesar-Gurgaon, Pune and Chennai to set up the above mentioned plant.

[Via: Bike India]

Tags: autos, bikes, CB Twister, honda india

Bajaj to take controlling stake in KTM

Bajaj India , which already has a 30% stake in Austrian motorcycle manufacturer, KTM, is expected to hike its stake to as much as 90% in the near future. While full details on this acquisition are not available yet, Bajaj and KTM are said to be in talks to finalise the deal as soon as possible.

Bajaj may either increase its stake in KTM to 90% right away, or may first hike the stake to 51% and then, in a phased manner, up to 90%. Details on the final arrangement are expected to emerge over the next few days. This deal will give Bajaj a major foothold in the European bike market and also open up avenues for launching bigger sportsbike from the KTM line-up in India.

[Via: indiaautomotive]

Tags: autos, bajaj india, bikes, ktm india, sportsbikes

New Upgraded Honda CBF Stunner Launched

The pemium entry level segment has recently seen new additions like Bajaj Pulsar 135, Gladiator SS and TVS Flame DS 125. Manufacturers are increasingly turning to the (so called premium) 125cc segment for profit. With a strategic move by Honda (HMSI) to augment the 12% market share it holds in this segment, the company is like to introduce an all new motorcycle in125cc segment in addition of its existing 125cc Shine. Honda India has launched the new upgraded CBF Stunner , which was showcased at the 2010 Auto Expo in New Delhi.

New CBF Stunner gets the following new features : -

- Addition of Tachometer in Intrument Cluster
- Maintenance Free Battery
- New Body Graphics and Stickers
- All Black Theme for Engine
- New Body Colored Cover Under The Engine
- New Sporty Mirror Set
- Half Chain Cover like we have seen in CB Twister

Tags: autos, bikes, Honda CBF Stunner, honda india, New CBF Stunner