YAMAHA

YAMAHA Motor India Ltd (YMIL), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Yamaha Motor Company of Japan, has launched a new 106cc, four-stroke motorcycle, in the form of an upgraded, redesigned version of its present 100cc bike - `Crux'. The new motorcycle, Crux R, is being positioned as a stylish and yet economical city bike, and is being priced at Rs 41,000, ex-showroom in Delhi. The bike will be available from August 1 at company dealerships and showrooms, though production has already commenced at the plant, near here. YMIL is targeting sales of 65,000 to 70,000 units of the Crux R during the remaining eight months of the current fiscal. The new bike is being targeted at customers in the age group of 18 to 35 years. The company is also hopeful of selling about one lakh to 1.2 lakh units of the Crux, its existing volume segment bike during the remaining period of the current fiscal. In addition, exports by YMIL is also expected to go up to 30,000 units during this fiscal, compared to 20,000 units during the previous year. A YMIL release said that the Crux R is Yamaha's answer to the entrenched players in the volume segment. Currently, the four stroke 100 to 110 cc motorcycle segment accounts for 73 per cent of the total Indian motorcycle market. YMIL, which currently has about 14 to 15 per cent market share, is aiming at achieving a market share of 21 per cent within the next two years. To this end, the company is planning to launch atleast one new bike every year during the next few years. The Crux R will be the new bike for the current fiscal, company officials said. Some of the features that the new bike Crux R has include a square headlight, more visible meter panel, mufler protector, tachometer, knee grip in fuel tank and higher powered engine at 7.7 bhp. The company also continues to produce the Yamaha YBX125, the YD125, RX-135, the RXZ and the Rajdoot range of bikes. YMIL has sold about 4,000 units of the YBX during the first four months of the current financial year. The company also hopes to sell about 65,000 units of the Rajdoot during the current year. YMIL, was originally an equal equity joint venture between the Escorts group and Yamaha Motor of Japan. The company became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Japanese partner after Escorts sold of its equity in the venture to Yamaha earlier this year.