Suzuki Motorcycle plans to double its production capacity

Suzuki Motorcycle India Ltd is planning to double  its production capacity to 540,000 bikes by the year 2012. In order to do this, the company has got a fresh investment proposal of Rs 50 crore this year which will meet the rising demand.  This information was given by  Rakesh Kumar, Suzuki Motorcycle India Senior Manager (Sales and Marketing) on the sidelines of the launch of its recent Slingshot  125 cc motorcycle  in eastern and northeastern India.  Mr Kumar also mentioned the growing demand for Suzuki two-wheelers by leaps and bounds during the past several years. He claimed that at present they had been enjoying over 70 per cent all India market share in scooter segment, while that for the motorcycle varied between 30 and 38 per cent per annum across the country. 

 

This encouraging growth of the company has led it to the decision of investing  a total sum of Rs 500 crore during a three-year period. This amount will be used for reasearch and development and also in the modernisation and expansion of the present capacity of Suzuki Motorcycle from around 250,000 units to 545,000 units per annum by 2012. Mr Kumar said that the decision to pump in Rs 50 crore this year would be a part of their  total investment plan.   

 

About the company’s plan of bringing in a few more products, Mr Kumar was quoted saying that  in the coming months, they would launch at least two new models of scooters and at least one more model of 125 cc motorcycle to cater to different customers.  He further highlighted the new features in the 125 cc Sling Shot and said that it has got an attractive look, a sharp edgy head lamp, new look front fender, and a  convenient gear indicator which had been provided along with the most fuel efficient 'Bs' carburator and a throttle position switch.  In Eastern India, the new bike would be available  with a price tag of Rs 44,971 ex-showroom.