Bajaj is working on a new variant of its XCD Sprint - XCD Sprint 150, which would be fitted with the 150cc engine from the Pulsar 150 DTS-i. With its new 150, Bajaj hopes to take on bikes like the Suzuki GS150R, Hero Honda Hunk, TVS Apache RTR and Yamaha FZ16. The new XCD Sprint is expected to be launched by the end of this year.
In the meanwhile, in response to the ongoing slump in demand in the Indian two-wheeler market, Bajaj has scaled back production at its Aurangabad plant in Maharashtra. This initiative is aimed at reducing inventory at the plant, which is currently said to be at around 18,000 units. Bajaj has also, in the recent past, cut down on production at its plants in Chakan and Pantnagar.
Suzuki will launch the much awaited GS150R on October 23rd. GS150R Lanza has been raising expectations since Suzuki expressed its intent to foray into the highly competetive 150cc segment. While Suzuki’s counterpart Yamaha stormed the 150cc segment with the launch of YZF R15 and FZ16 , Suzuki’s foray into the segment is expected to be create similar impact in the segment. GS150R is special especially because this is the second performance bike after successfull Fiero from Suzuki.
Inspired from the styling of GSR 400 and GSR 600, new GS150R boasts masculine styling cues. With a bikini fairing, wolf-eyed headlamps and pilot lamps mounted on either side the styling of the GSR is little conserative. GSR150R’s muscular fuel tank is alike the one seen in TVS Apache RTR .
It will take on the Bajaj Pulsar, TVS apache RTR, Honda Unicorn, Hero Honda Hunk and Yamaha FZ16. Going by the history of Suzuki, GS150R is expected to be priced with premium over the peers. Expect the price of GS150R around Rs. 62,000.
TAG Heuer has launched the limited edition TAG Heuer Grand Carrera to celebrate the first ever Singapore Grand Prix. This limited edition TAG Heuer timepiece was autographed by defending champion Kimi Raikkonen, TAG Heuer’s brand ambassador at Singapore.
This night race watch has been developed especially for Singapore and is only available in a limited edition all-black bezel, dial and indexes to represent the night race. Each timepiece is presented with a limited edition book “Snakes and Devils” and will be exclusively available at TAG Heuer boutiques and Grand Carrera authorized retailers in Singapore.
Only 150 limited edition TAG Heuer Grand Carrera watches will be made with only 149 remaining as the first one was autographed by World Champion Kimi Raikkonen and was auctioned at the MILK (Mainly I Love Kids) Charity Gala at Shangri-La Hotel for S$40,000 or about US$ 28,000.
Singapore is one of the key important markets for TAG Heuer where the sale per capita is one of the highest in the world. Since TAG Heuer has a long and rich history with motor racing and F1, the limited edition TAG Heuer Grand Carrera is a great tribute to F1’s first ever night race.
The YamahaFZ16 is an urban-cool motorcycle built for great performance and easy-living functionality, because that’s the whole idea of a bike like this. It has got heart-pumping knockout performance and it’s got serious attitude on top of that, a lean and mean look that’s all about raw power.
It keeps it simple, with street-tough naked styling and super-civilized power delivery and a specially designed riding position that gives riders extra confidence at lower speeds.
The meters on the FZ16 are installed in a Full Liquid Crystal Display. The speedometer, tachometer, trip meter, fuel gauge and other indicators are set in optimum position to keep the field of vision clear. Also, the engine starting signal is an example of the spirit of innovation.
The stylish yet innovative FZ16 has macho and muscular looks redefining the 150cc bikes segment. It keeps it simple, with street-tough naked styling and super-civilized power delivery and a specially designed riding position that gives riders extra confidence at lower speeds.
The Yamaha FZ-16 is an urban-cool motorcycle built for great performance and easy-living functionality, because that’s the whole idea of a bike like this. It has got heart-pumping knockout performance and it’s got serious attitude on top of that, a lean and mean look that’s all about raw power.
The Yamaha dealer in my city informed me that the company is soon going to launch Yamaha FZ 150 in India within a few months. The looks of the bike can be summed up in one word as ‘muscular’. While the YZF R15 poses a stylish and sporty outlook, FZ15 presents itself like a hunk. Like the R15, it has a mono suspension and a liquid cooled engine.
Yamaha is trying to grab a bigger market share by diluting the indian auto mobile market with too many models. In my opinion, there is nothing very special in this bike. This is just a revamped model of FZ1.
Just like the 1000cc YZF R1 was fitted with a 150cc engine and launched as YZF R15, the 1000cc version of the FZ1 is being launched as a 150cc model. The problem with this kind of marketing strategy is that the original bike loses its value and no one would buy the higher end model even if they want to.
I am waiting to test drive the bike and post a review as soon as it gets launched. Hopefully the Indian biking industry is booming and the customers are more demanding than ever. We can expect a lot of new bike models to be launched in 2009. Hero Honda has also promised to launch 13 new models within end of the next year!
Yamaha which plans to make a comeback this year has introduced four new models at the Auto Expo. The models are Gladiator type SS and RS (125cc), YZF R15 and FZ (150cc). With this Yamaha has unleashed its strategic intent to offer product line that demonstarates the global yamaha image and live up to the true Yamaha DNA i.e. performance,innovation and design.
Here is few details on Yamaha’s another 150cc FZ which will be launched around Diwali this year. Unlike the YZF R15 ( sports bike) this one is a macho street fighter. FZ 150cc is inspired from FZ1000cc bike. Also unlike the YZF R15, FZ 150 will have only an air cooled engine but that means it is friendly to your wallet.
In order to expand its business footprints in India, Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer Yamaha is eyeing to sell more than half a million bikes in 100 to 125 cc segments in 2009. The company is striving to add 80 more new dealers this year under its brand to compete with its strong competitors.
Yamaha is aiming to sell more than two lakh units this year, as compared to 1.20 lakh units last year. Commenting on the plans, Mr Tsutomu Mabuchi, CEO and Managing Director of Yamaha Motor India said, “Our fundamentals in the country are not as strong as our competitors. For the last one year, we are working to improve our fundamentals … which include setting up strong sales, services, dealership and spare parts network.”
Highlighting company’s performance in last one year, Mr. Mabuchi stated that due to restructuring and launch of new bikes, sales of Yamaha in the first six months of the year has turned around. The company also plans to roll out FZ, the air cooled bike in 150cc segment in October this year.
Bajaj Auto is planning to launch two new 125cc motorcycles in this quarter. With the festive season around the corner, Bajaj Auto is bullish about good sales figures this quarter and new models should provide the boost it needs.
One of the motorcycles expected to be launched during this quarter is the Bajaj XCD DTS-i Sprint. Showcased at the 2008 AutoExpo, XCD DTS-i Sprint is expected to be launched with a 4-valve 125cc 4st engine producing a respectable 12.5bhp. Second model would likely be positioned toward the bottom of the 125cc market in an attempt to entice more 100cc motorcycle owners to switch to the 125cc segment.
Honda is all set to launch its new 150cc bike CBF Stunner. With a strategic move by Honda (HMSI) to augment the 12% market share it holds in this segment, the company is like to introduce an all new motorcycle in125cc segment in addition of its existing 125cc Shine. The CBF stunner could be the Honda’s attempt to attract young customers who love performance and style. In a similar bid, Bajaj had earlier announced it would launch sporty version of XCD 125cc.
Honda showcased the CBF stunner concept at the Auto Expo and since then the enthusiasm of bike lovers have raised anticapting its launch. With the CBF stunner, Honda wishes to lure the young customers who look for exclusivity and unconventional styling. Honda CBF models are a series of sport oriented motorcycles with traditional styling. The series includes CBF250, CBF500,CBF600N, CBF600S and CBF1000. Honda’s CBF stunner would produce a peak power of in the range of 10-12bhp.
