KAWASAKI BIKES LINED UP FOR INDIA

Japanese two-wheeler major Kawasaki with Bajaj Auto announced the launch of its new Indian subsidiary, India Kawasaki Motor Pvt Ltd (IKMPL). IKMPL, which will be based on the outskirts of Chakan, Pune,  which already houses the Bajaj Auto with an investment setup of Rs 5 crores.

IKMPL will be involved in the import and sale of Kawasaki motorcycles which has a displacement greater than 250cc to 1000cc. The 250CC Kawasaki ninja is already available in the Indian Market. Kawasaki and Bajaj however assured us that they would be lining up their entire portfolio of Kawasaki Bikes starting next quarter. The Kawasaki range includes bikes such as Kawasaki’s supersport, sports and cruiser line-ups to be available in the near future. At present, the Ninja 250R is Kawasaki’s sole product available in the Indian market but at an hefty price tag.

IKMPL said they are solely dependent on the market conditions and depending upon the market conditions the bikes will be brought in as CBUs (completely built units) or CKDs (completely knocked-down units). CKD assembly will take place at Kawasaki’s long standing technical partner Bajaj Auto’s Chakan plant near Pune.  As with the Ninja 250R, the new bikes will be sold and serviced through Bajaj Auto’s premium Probiking outlets.

Although the sales numbers in the Indian 200cc plus motorcycle segment are expected to touch 30,000 units this fiscal. With the Kawasaki Ninja 250R selling in the region of 90-100 units per month, IKM looks set to achieve its sales target of 1000 units per annum in the near future.