Maruti Suzuki To Aid Suzuki Motorcycles In India

Tall oaks grow from little acorns planted years ago. In a move suggestive of this expression, Suzuki Motorcycles India is all set to make use of Maruti Suzuki’s widespread dealership network in the country in order to breathe a fresh lease of life into its domestic performance. 

The key outcomes for the two-wheeler arm of Suzuki, as a result of this association, include the sale of bikes through around 25 Maruti Suzuki outlets and enlarging the base of common component suppliers between the two manufacturers. 

Satoshi Uchida, managing director, Suzuki Motorcycles India, said, “As a conscious effort, we are trying to get good Maruti Suzuki car dealers on board to sell our two-wheelers. Many of them are excited to sell our superbikes like Hayabusa.” He added, “Same set of vendors can be used for many components to bring costs down.”

Uchida said some executives from Maruti Suzuki are also on deputation at the motorcycle wing of the company in key roles like plant production and purchase. In recent years, Suzuki Motorcycle’s corporate office has also shifted to the same building in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj where Maruti Suzuki is headquartered.

Incepted independently in India close to a year ago after breaking ties with TVS, Suzuki Motorcycles has invested around Rs 3,000 crore in the country’s two-wheeler market. However, the company has consistently managed meek returns over the years. 

Though delayed, the imminent tie-up with India’s largest carmaker could just be what the doctor ordered for Suzuki Motorcycles India. Currently, Maruti Suzuki’s dealership network is spread across almost 1,500 Indian cities, with the total outlet number set to cross 2,000 by the year 2020.