The managing director of Triumph India Motorcycles, Vimal Sumbly, has revealed that the new motorcycles that will be jointly developed by Bajaj-Triumph will operate in the 250 cc-500 cc segments, where Royal Enfield is currently the dominant force.
The new range of Triumph-Bajaj small capacity motorcycles will target Royal Enfield, KTMS, Husqvarnas and other motorcycles in the 250 cc-700 cc segments. The standalone Triumph brand will focus on the 700 cc+ segment, but will assemble most of its motorcycles in India rather than importing it.
Here is Mr. Sumbly’s statement on this matter,
The 500 cc plus motorcycle industry is where Triumph is focusing directly in India and to that end we’re moving from imports to full assembly. Last year 90% of our portfolio were CBU imports but by end-June this year 95% of our portfolio will be CKD assembly. And the mid segment is growing rapidly in India. Today the 250-500 cc segment is roughly around 8,00,000 units a year dominated by Royal Enfield followed by KTM and Bajaj. This segment has the strength to go to 1 million units.
The Triumph-Bajaj partnership is aiming to sell 100,000 motorcycles in the 250 cc-700 cc segment, which means that it’s planning to give Royal Enfield a tough fight. Bajaj Auto is encircling Royal Enfield through multiple brands. It has the Bajaj Dominar on the lower end and the KTM Duke and RC range on the higher end.
Bajaj will soon introduce the Husqvarna brand in India, which will serve as a sporty, retro-modern brand. The Triumph-Bajaj range of motorcycles, coming in 2020, will push Bajaj’s plans to challenge Royal Enfield further ahead. Retro-motorcycles are getting more popular than ever in India.
Royal Enfield, for its part, is moving up the cost and technology chain. The brand will introduce the twin cylinder engined 650 cc Interceptor and Continental GT motorcycles later this year. In the coming years, more motorcycles from Royal Enfield are likely to use the newly developed 650 cc engine.
Via ETAuto
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