An action-packed week for the automotive sector some of which were away from home. Two of India’s most noted bike makers made a product splash at the world’s biggest bike show in Italy. In fact, two-wheelers makers dominated headlines through the week. Here is the complete wrap of all the key developments in the auto sector.
Royal Enfield unveils two 650cc bikes
Leisure bike specialist Royal Enfield unveiled two new bikes – Interceptor INT 650 and Continental GT 650 – at the EICMA show in Milan. The Interceptor is a retro-looking roadster meant for easy highway cruising. It is a ground up new bike developed by Royal Enfield.
The Continental GT 650, meanwhile, is a big brother of the Continental GT 535 which is available in India. These new products, which are powered by 650cc, air-cooled, parallel twin engine, will go on sale in Europe in April next year and in India in the later half.
Suzuki launches baby Intruder
Japan’s Suzuki Motors launched the Intruder in India albeit with a small 155cc engine in the commuter segment priced at a whopping Rs 98,000. At that price the Intruder will amongst the costliest bikes in its segment.
Heavily inspired by the Intruder 1800, which is priced at Rs 16 lakh, this new Suzuki bike will target the young urban buyer looking for a style statement. This new cruiser is powered by a 155cc single cylinder engine that makes peak power of 14 bhp.
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Honda launches Grazia
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India, the country’s second largest two-wheeler maker, launched an all-new scooter Grazia at Rs 58,000 in a bid to further strengthen its stranglehold on the scooter market.
Developed using the Activa platform, the Grazia is powered by a 125cc engine which is also seen on the Activa 125. It is also the first scooter with an all-digital instrumentation and also the first to have three-step eco-speed indicator. The Grazia will be equipped with a combi brake system with an equalizer.
Hero makes a splash with off-roader
Hero Motocorp, the country’s largest two-wheeler maker, showcased the Xpulse, an off-road concept bike at the EICMA show in Milan. The Delhi-based company has not commented so far about a commercial launch of it.
Engine details of the bike is not available at the moment but it is expected to be powered by a 200cc ssingle-cylinderengine. The concept bike features LED headlamp, mud guard, knuckle guard to name a few.
Ford launches new Ecosport
Ford Motor Company launched the updated version of the Ecosport priced at Rs 7.31 lakh. The compact SUV Ecosport has been one of the best selling products of Ford in India. Ford decide to launch the car exclusively on Amazon first and all the 123 units of the vehicle were sold out within the first few hours.
The vehicle now comes with an additional engine option of a 1.5 litre, three cylinder petrol engine which develops peak power of 123 bhp. The diesel motor is the same 1.5 litre, four cylinder, turbo charged, developing peak power of 99bhp.
Tata Motors Q2 net jumps three fold, M&M net rise 25%
Tata Motors, the country’s largest vehicle maker, reported a three-fold rise in net profit during the quarter ended September 30, 2017 on the back on strong volumes of Jaguar Land Rover and reduce losses of the stand-alone unit. Net profit rose to Rs 2500 crore as against Rs 848 crore posted in the same quarter last year.
Tractor and utility vehicle specialist Mahindra & Mahindra reported a jump of 25 percent in net profit during the same quarter backed by rise in demand for tractors and SUVs. Stand-alone net profit rose to Rs 1331 crore as compared to Rs 1067 crore posted in the same quarter last year.
Norton joins hand with Kinetic
On the sidelines of the EICMA show in Milan, UK’s Norton Motorcycles, announced a joint venture with Kinetic Group to sell its range of exotic bikes in India. Founded in 1898 Norton is one of world’s oldest bike brands.
Presently Norton has four motorcycles in its lineup – V4 RR, Dominator, Commando 961 Café Racer MKII and Commando 961 Sport MKII – all of which could be brought to India and retailed through the Motoroyale brand of Kinetic dealerships. Norton has also asked Kinetic to look into possibilities of assembling its bikes in India
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