Speaking about the proposed re entry, a senior official said, "The Company is studying India's high-end and premium motorcycle market to introduce its Motorrad range of super bikes in India". Peter Kronschnabl, president, BMW India added "Our people from BMW Motorcycle are having a look at the market. They are also in discussion with us for feedback on the matter. As soon as we see potential for a viable market entry for sustainable growth, we would take that into consideration."Another BMW official said that the Motorrad bikes range will cost more than Rs. 10 lakh in India. The premium bike market is less than 500 units a year but is definitely good as far as branding and growth prospectus is concerned. The earlier joint venture with Hero; which took off with the launch of F650 failed to click.
Auto analysts say the market for top superbike models such as the Suzuki Hayabusa, Honda 1000RR Fireblade, Honda CBR 1000R, Yamaha MT01 and Yamaha R1 has grown and enhanced the appetite for Rs 10 lakh plus bikes. Besides, Bajaj has plans to launch big bikes from KTM and Kawasaki stables in the near future.
BMW officials have clarified that the plans are not for the short-term and it would take 1-2 years before things get finalized. The German company has used the brand BMW Motorrad since 1923. BMW Motorrad's G series, F series, R series and K series are available all around the world. Designed for off road, sport and touring purposes; the bikes range from 450 cc capacity to 1300 cc capacity.
The market for small bikes has been kept aside and interest for lifestyle bikes is expanding. This is proven by the sale of 93 bikes by Suzuki, 94 units by Yamaha in the Jan-Dec 2008 period. Mr. Atul Gupta, vice-president, marketing and sales Suzuki Motorcycle India said "We are regularly importing containers of our high-end bike Hayabusa and Intruder. Each container has up to 15 bikes and we are ordering new containers of bikes ever 1-2 months". He added that the company intends to sell 100 more high-end bikes costing up to Rs 12.5 lakh by the end of current fiscal.
