Yamaha launches YZF-R1 in India

Yamaha, the Japanese two-wheeler maker on Friday introduced its superbike 2010 YZF-R1 with a price tag of Rs 12.5 lakh (ex-showroom) in India. India Yamaha Motor Chief Executive Officer and MD Yukimine Tsuji asserted, "While the market for superbikes in India is still limited, consumer response to our previously launched superbikes has been overwhelming. Its (2010 YZF-R1) launch signifies our successful brand transformation efforts in India." Yamaha would continue to bring out more high-end products in the Indian market. The superbike, YZF-R1 is powered with 998cc engine, that would be sold in the India as a completely built unit (CBU) through the company's 24 authorised CBU dealerships in 13 cities. Launched in 2007, the existing YZF-R1 comes in the range of Rs 10.5 lakh. Apart from this Yamaha has received 20 bookings for its recently-launched Rs 20 lakh super-bike 'VMAX' and is looking to sell at least 40 units of the model in 2010. The company, which is likely to clock sales of 2.2 lakh units in the Indian market and export 70K units from here this year, is aiming for a 50 per cent growth in sales from both segments in 2010. Yamaha is also increasing its dealership network in the country and is aiming to have 500 outlets by end-2010 from the existing 425. TVS Jive and Honda CB Twister are the newly launched bikes in India.