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Suzuki rolls out performance motorcycles in India
December 2nd, 2008
India and
the surrounding markets have been a wealth of sales for
motorcycle manufacturers, but historically the bulk of those
numbers were for inexpensive and economical smaller-sized
engine bikes.
 That
trend has changed over 2008 with larger motorcycle
manufacturers focusing on India's growing appetite for
larger, more powerful models.
Recently,
Suzuki Motorcycle India launched its first performance
motorcycles with the Hayabusa and Intruder M 1800 R
(pictured right) for the Indian market, following in the
tire tracks of Yamaha and Ducati.
Yamaha
launched the YZF-R1 and MT01 last year with Ducati rolling
out its line this year, and while Yamaha’s models are priced
similar to the Suzuki prices, the Italian motorcycles
manufacturer are considered more expensive bikes.
Some say the
high price point has limited Ducati's sales to fifty units
being sold this year.
Speaking
about the Hayabusa and M 1800 R, Atul Gupta, VP sales and
marketing for Suzuki Motorcycle India said, "These two are
2009 models launched this year. Once we see demand for these
models picking up, we will launch more models from the GSX
family in the next six months."
Honda will enter the performance range with its own 800cc motorcycles in the first quarter of next year for all of
Southeast Asia. |
