So guys, are you all ready with your fingers crossed for the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo – 2012? We’re sure that this Expo will showcase a lotta segment busters which will keep us live and blissful for the whole of 2012. As we’ve informed you all, Team BikeAdvice will get you the updates live every now and then direct from Pragati Maidan, New Delhi which is the venue of this majestic expo.
Now along this post, I’ll take you through an idea of what few of the major players will be showcasing out there.
BMW Motorrad
BMW Motorrad, as many of you must be knowing is the motorcycle brand of the German manufacturer – BMW. All BMW Motorrad’s motorcycle production takes place at the company’s plant in Berlin, Germany although some engines are manufactured in other nations like Austria, China, and Taiwan to a certain extent.
BMW Motorrad is known for its bikes bearing a premium price tag and the company is highly interested in strengthening its foothold out here. So, the company is planning to display their award winning bikes at its stall in the Delhi Auto Expo. There are high chances for the company to showcase their models of 2012 K1600 GT and K1600 GTL Grand Tourers at the Expo. BMW Motorrad is also more into ‘Urban Mobility’ concepts which are EVs in general. These scoots of theirs is gaining raid attention wherever they display owing to its future grip across the globe, So, this makes us expect the company to showcase the C600 Sport and the C 650 GT as well.
Apart from their vehicles, BMW will also display their accessories and gears which could be used with BMW Motorrad products. This is gonna be interesting to see premium products n display. Makes it interesting now!
Ducati
This Italian manufacturer is one of the recent enterer to the Indian market, who has got a great potential among the masses. Ducati has a very good brand image across the globe amongst the biking fraternity which is a major advantage for the company. We expect Ducati to unveil their new model, the 848 Streetfighter for India and the near-by nations.
Ducati is very strong and sturdy in the 1000cc+ category (litre bikes). However, it has understood the fact clearly that India is not the market for such bikes. Hence, the company will be showcasing their lower end bikes here.
The company’s current assortment comprises of models like the 1198, Diavel, Hyper Motard, Monster, Multistrada, Sport Classic, the 1099 Streetfighter and Streetfighter S, which will all be displayed at the Ducati stall, To stress the point again, Ducati will also unveil the 848 Streetfighter for the country which is its first naked street bike in the 800cc segment. However, the recently launched 1199 Panigale would be the show – stopper for this stall. Great going Ducati!
There are likelihood for Ducati to put their apparel and others merchandise on exhibit here.
Yamaha
Here comes the segment leader of India. Known for quality and affordable bikes across the length and breadth of the nation, Yamaha has got plans to showcase its quarter litre bike – The Fazer 250 at the Delhi Auto Expo along with its present portfolio of products. This includes its flagship products like the YZF – R15 V2.0, FZ series which comprises of FZ-16, FZ-S and the Fazer.
Fazer 250, if launched will be the third quarter litre bike for our market, which is growing at a decent rate as on date. Apart from these products, Yamaha will also display their range of CBUs (Completely Built Units) which are the YZF – R1, FZ1, MT-01 and the VMAX. But will the Japanese maker display the R6, which is one of the best – seller across the globe when it comes to the 6500cc category? Well, this is a very serious question which can be answered as of now but if this happens then it’s gonna be a great year for Yamaha in this sub – continent.
And not to forget, the upcoming scooter from Yamaha for the Indian market. Scooters’ growth is catching up the pace of reputed bikes and the trend will only grow in the northward direction in the coming years. This assured growth is attributed to the high vehicle traffic and congestion in cities all across India which is also combined with the growth of female riders in the recent past. We hope that this concept is showcased as well by India Yamaha Motors (IYM).
TVS Motors
At the time of Delhi Auto Expo – 2010, TVS Motors revealed a few concepts of their upcoming models. Expect the same this time too. The Apache series which now boasts of ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) will be promoted in its stall. The Wego, which is the company’s recently launched gearless Unisex scooter, might also be kept on display.
TVS Motors is the only two-wheeler company across the globe, as on date to have received the Deming Prize, world’s most coveted and prestigious recognition for Total Quality Management. It is also the first company in India to launch an auto-clutch bike which is the Jive.
We hope and expect the company to display its streetfighter model which is the ‘Velocity’. As we’d reported a couple of weeks back, the Neo and Rockz were being tested in different parts of Tamilnadu which gives us a hint that this might also be thrown for display here to snatch the attention and interest of the visitors.
Harley Davidson
The US cult bike maker, Harley Davidson has been in the market for quite some time and is in fact doing good business in India with its limited range of exclusive tourers. At the Auto Expo 2012, Harley Davidson will showcase its entire India line – up at Stall No. 18.
Harley Davidson is also known for their customized motorcycles which would cater the need and preference of the riders. This makes us get a feel that such bikes might also be put for display in its stall.
Any Harley Davisson stall will be incomplete without stacking it with its exclusive merchandise. So, this will be a major attraction in this stall. The company is planning to organize a fashion show where models will walk the ramp with these apparels and other related stuff. By this time, rock band which is always synonymous with HDs should have stuck your mind. Yes, Local Rock Bands Split from Mumbai and Circus from New Delhi will also be performing at the stall.
Bajaj Auto
Bajaj Auto is India’s second largest player which has forayed into a few of the neighbouring markets and has created a strong impact there. Bajaj Auto, as many of our readers would be knowing by now owns a 39 per cent stake in the Austrian off-road bike maker KTM will most probably be showcasing the KTM Duke200 which is all set to foray into our market in less than a month or so. However we need to know if Bajaj will showcase the Duke 350 which is the next product from KTM for the Indian market.
But what makes people expect something more from Bajaj is the unveiling of next generation Pulsar. This series of bikes have been the most successful brand in India for the past ten year. The company is celebrating tenth year anniversary of this flagship brand since Pulsar’s inception in the year 2001. This will attract more crowd for the stall with more number of people craning their necks to get a look of this much awaited series of bikes.
Hero MotoCorp
India’s first trans – roader bike, the Impulse will most probably be promoted to a greater extent by HMC. This is the first big expo for HMC post the split between the Hero group and Japan’s Honda. There are chances for the company to display their new scooter -Maestro. There’ll also be most of its products belonging to the company’s portfolio as on date displayed in its stall. Apart from it, there are not much of new products to be expected from the world’s largest manufacturer of two – wheelers in this particular expo.
Honda
HMSI (Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India Ltd) has got plans of launching a new 100cc commuter bike before the end of this year. But then, there is no official news from the company’s side if they’ll display it in the Auto Expo or not. Next on the list is the CBR150R.News of this bike stepping into India has been round for quite sometime.
Last auto expo witnessed the CB Twister in the concept stage which is a successful brand for the company in the present market conditions. HMSI will also display most of their current portfolio of products which include Activa, Dio and Aviator in the scooter segment and Twister, Shine, Stunner, Unicorn, Dazzler and the CBR250R in the bike segment.
Suzuki
Suzuki is making a great business in India with its successful scooter brand- Access125. However, the company has announced that it’ll ne unveiling the next scooter for the Indian market. Though, we’re not sure about what will this scooter be based on, there are high chances for it to have been derived for the ‘SkyDrive’ model which is a big hit in many nations. Coming to the Motorcycle segment, all that is expected is a 250cc naked bike from Suzuki.
Apart from this, the company’s only 150cc bike for India, the GS150 saw a facelift very recently. So, expect this to be placed in Suzuki’s stall in Pragati Maidan.
Regards,
M.Naren.
Author – BikeAdvice.in
