Suzuki plans to achieve 5 per cent market share with Hayate

Suzuki Motorcycle India today said it aimed at achieving five per cent market share in the mass segment (100-110 cc) with the launch of its latest two- wheeler, the Hayate. The overall market size of this segment is approximately 4.5 lakh units per month, the company's National Head (Sales) Anand Thakur told reporters. 

Announcing the Tamil Nadu launch of the 112-cc engine powered motorcycle, he said the state contributed to around 10 per cent of the company's sales, while it was 30 per cent from the entire southern region. 

On the company's future plans, he said while the present manufacturing capacity stood at 3.6 lakh vehicles per annum, it would be expanded to 4.5 lakh by this fiscal and eventually cross the five lakh mark by 2013-14. 

A new plant would come up at Rohtak in Haryana. "The total investment till date is Rs 500 crore," he said in response to a question but declined to elaborate. The company would be present in all segments of two- wheelers by 2014 with six or seven offerings, he said, adding that Bollywood actor Salman Khan had been roped as Hayate's brand ambassador. 

Hayate (Read : Suzuki Hayate Launch), meaning fresh Breeze or swift wind in Japanese, will be available in five colours and the company is expected to meet customer requirement of a mileage of 70 km per litre, he said, adding that it is aimed at tapping the emerging rural and semi-urban markets.