Kerala to fetch 10% of 2-wheeler sales: Suzuki

Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, has said that it plans to increase its share of two-wheeler sales from the Kerala market to 10% of national sales in fiscal 2013 compared with 6% last fiscal. Speaking at the launch of the company's new mass segment motorcycle Hayate in the Kerala market on Tuesday, Suzuki Motorcycle India national head - sales Anand Thakur said Suzuki Motorcycles will target sales of 4.5 lakh two-wheeler units in the Kerala market in 2012-13, up from 3.6 lakh units in 2011-12.

"Kerala is a growing market where two-wheelers are an indispensable lifeline.

With Hayate's entry in the Kerala market, we are looking at exploring new opportunities and a larger market share of 10% in fiscal 2013. The Hayate presents an opportunity to address emerging markets in small towns and semi-urban and rural perpheries," Thakur said. Hayate will be available in two variants - the Hayate KS, which will be priced at Rs 41,021 (ex-showroom Kochi), and the Hayate SS, which will be priced at Rs 43,021 (ex-showroom Kochi). Atul Gupta, VP (sales and marketing), Suzuki Motorcycle India, said the 100-110 cc motorcycle segment currently contributes 52% of the company's two-wheeler sales nationally. The company currently has 300 dealers across India, which it plans to expand to 400 by the end of March 2013 and 600 by 2014.

Though two-wheeler sales growth slowed down in fiscal 2012, Suzuki expects it to grow up to 8% in fiscal 2013.

Suzuki Motorcycle India has its manufacturing plant in Gurgaon with an annual plant capacity of 4,50,000 units. Total land area of the facility at Gurgaon is 37 acres, out of which the present plant is constructed in an area of 7 acres. The remaining area is left for future expansion.