Suzuki motorcycles have not really been seeing the volumes it wishes to get. Probably because of the lack of products, as in, multiple products in the same segments, something which its sister brand Maruti Suzuki has adopted successfully.
In the two wheeler segment it has the desi Hero MotoCorp to learn from. In a report published recently on Times of India, Suzuki’s future plans for India have been revealed. Here is what we make out of it:
- Suzuki intends to increase the number of dealership and service touch points from 600 to 3,000 in the next three years. 65-75 per cent of these will be opened in semi urban and rural areas.
- Increase the product offering. They currently sell 6 India made motorcycles and scooters, and by 2017, they intend to launch as many as 6 new products to take the total tally to 12. Imports via the CKD and CBU route will also be in addition to this.
- From 4 lakh units in the financial year 2013-14, Suzuki intends to sell 7.5 lakh units by the 2016-17.
- Increase the production at the Gurgaon plant from 5.4 lakh units to 10 lakh units.
After the recently launched automatic scooter Lets, Suzuki India’s next offensive will be the Gixxer which they unveiled at the Auto Expo, in the premium 150cc category. The parent company is also planning to get back to MotoGP to showcase their finesse in engineering.
Suzuki aims to produce value for money products and at the same time keep its products unique. Their current products like GS150R and Hayate have been applauded as offerings but have not turned really into cash churners for the company. Even the marketing strategy involving Bollywood actor Salman Khan has not yielded any rich dividends.
Will Suzuki be able to do better in a new avatar? The answer lies with time!
Related: Suzuki Slashes Inazuma Prices by Over 1 Lac; Costs 2.09 Lac Now
