Honda to launch new motorcycle for the youth

New Delhi, June 13 (UNI) Honda Motors and Scooters India (HMSI) will launch a new motorcycle model in the first half of the next fiscal.

HMSI's new President and Chief Executive Officer Shinji Aoyama, while talking to reporters here today said, the motorcycle might be from the 100cc segment but that has not been decided yet.

The motorcycle will cater to the youngsters with affordable pricing, Mr Aoyama said.

HMSI also plans to launch a new scooter model by this fisca- end along with a motorcycle in the volume market. Retail sales accounted for 73,000 units during the last month.

The company is also contemplating import of high end bikes like CBR1000 and Goldwing. ''But that is a premium end bike and has few takers. We feel the market would be good in the first year but the following years will see a drop in their demand,'' Mr Aoyama said.

Also, the cost of the bikes is expected to be near Rs 10 lakh, which will be a constraint, given the 60 per cent import duties that is charged.

The company will invest Rs four billion in the next two years for upgradation. ''This includes increasing the production capacity, model development etc.,'' he said.

Talking about Bajaj Auto's claim of providing a 125cc bike at the cost of a 10cc bike, Mr Aoyama said it was difficult to implement such a claim.

HMSI is looking towards bringing to India, a completely new range of products with special focus on the country's needs and is ready to compete more strategically under the new leadership.

UNI