For a comparatively new player in the Indian 2-wheeler industry, the team at Mahindra, it seems, are doing all they can to gain some traction in the intensely fought two wheeler market, in fact a lot of it.
Their commuter bike Centuro has been accepted in the market, however their scooter sales are falling. Giving the credit where it’s due, Mahindra says that the 110cc, 8.5 bhp Centuro has been selling like the proverbial hot cake and is keeping the accountants happy at the old stand and has so far sold over 1Lakh units till now.
Word has it that the company is working on a higher capacity 160cc bike to take on some of the heavy weights in that particular segment. It could be called the premium commuter segment and at present constitutes the likes of Apache 160, Yamaha FZ variants, new Suzuki Gixxer and the Pulsar 150, Unicorn etc if we also include the mainstream bikes.
This report comes from what Autocar calls a reliable source who is associated with the project. However, the most interesting bit is its launch period. According to the report, Mahindra is targeting an end-2014 or early 2015 launch in India which is ‘quick’ by company’s standards.
If this report is true, a close monitoring reveals that rather than going out and out against the entry-level or mainstream products, company is planning to venture into the higher side of 150cc segment – the premium 150-160cc segment which has relatively lesser competition. Yamaha has tasted success and Suzuki is also expected to follow suit.
Though nothing more is known including its engine and other details, the upcoming 160cc Mahindra would be a very important product for the company. We can expect it to be loaded with all those useful features which Mahindra Centuro and its scooters are known for.
Pictured here are Centuro (top) & Centuro (above)
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