Ducati to spread its wings in India

Ducati, which sells bikes for Rs 14-60 lakh, plans to sell over 150 bikes in India in 2010.

The company hopes bike enthusiasts will overlook the cost factor and lap up its products. /news-features/general-news/ktm-and-husqvarna-bikes-receive-5-year-extended-warranty-for-free/52746/"The bike culture runs in the genes here,/news-features/general-news/ktm-and-husqvarna-bikes-receive-5-year-extended-warranty-for-free/52746/" says Ducati Asia-Pacific CEO Mirko Bordiga.

The company thinks India has bigger potential than China in this arena. At present, the Indian superbike segment sees annual sales of around 1,000. The Chinese market, by comparison, is limited to less than 100 units annually due to government restriction to sell smaller bikes.

Not surprisingly, India happens to be Ducati's most attractive market in Asia. The company is looking to open four dealerships next year in addition to the existing two. It also plans to sell over 150 bikes in 2010 against the 35 units that were lapped up since its July launch.

Motorcycles in the high-powered engine capacity of 500-2,500-cc come under the superbike category and sell for Rs 10-60 lakh in India. Global manufacturers think India's superbike market is poised for greater growth.
Better roads and a growing motor sports culture are helping the superbike market grow in India, says Yamaha's national business head Pankaj Dubey.

Besides Yamaha, Ducati, Honda, Harley Davidson, Suzuki, Triumph and Kawasaki have all had launches to their name in the domestic market in the past two years. India is estimated to sell 7 million two-wheelers annually. Despite the high import duties at 113% that jack up prices, upcoming launches in the superbike segment are expected to add to that number.

Yamaha, for instance, plans to launch more models in the 1,000-1,600-cc segment during the January Auto Expo in New Delhi.

The company debuted with the YZF-R1 and the 1670cc torque monster MT-01 models in November 2007. Their success - 150 units have been sold - prompted Yamaha to launch its Rs 20 lakh-flagship V-Max a few months ago.

Suzuki Motorcycle India, meanwhile, will add new models in the over 1000-cc range, aiming to sell over 150 bikes in 2010. Its Rs 12.5-lakh Hayabusa, among the largest selling superbikes here, was launched last year.

/news-features/general-news/ktm-and-husqvarna-bikes-receive-5-year-extended-warranty-for-free/52746/"The superbike demand in India is consistently growing,/news-features/general-news/ktm-and-husqvarna-bikes-receive-5-year-extended-warranty-for-free/52746/" said Suzuki Motorcycle India marketing & sales vice-president Atul Gupta.