TVS has a different game plan than Bajaj it seems. Bajaj is extracting the last drop of juice from its joint platform which spawns its 200 cc range of Pulsars and KTM Dukes. So far they have made a naked streetfighter (Pulsar NS200), full faired sports (Pulsar RS200) and semi-faired adventure (Pulsar AS200) versions on the same platform.
It is obvious for TVS to follow suit and build various iterations of their brilliant Apache 200, which we recently reviewed (link to review). However, according to a news snippet at ET Auto, TVS has NO plans to introduce new variants of Apache 200. Arun Siddharth, Vice President Marketing (Motorcycles), TVS Motor, says that they do not want to overdo with the motorcycle.
The company believes that naked sports is a much bigger segment (in India and internationally) and they will continue adding technologies and refresh the motorcycle, instead of bringing in different forms. This is a direct hint that TVS has no plans to build a faired sports Apache 200 (or even a semi-faired variant).
Here is what Arun said…
“We don’t want to overdo and get distracted, we have a good clip rate with how we are progressing and we would want to maintain that. RTR’s job is grow the market, This market is about 15% of overall industry. This kind of format is the need at the moment, in the world also naked sport bike is a bigger segment, this where we want to be and grow the market with relevant technologies and refreshed variants.”
Also Read: 2017 Apache 200 BS4 Launched at Rs 92,215: FI Still NOT Available
This should also put an end to the endless rumours which claimed that faired Apache 200 is under development. However, this still does NOT explain and justify the terrible delay of the Fuel Injected naked version!
So, how do you see this strategy, specially if you are a TVS fan and like faired motorcycles?
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