Rise of a Product: The Motorcycles
Motorcycles are the most expensive of all two-wheelers. They are more powerful than scooters
and mopeds, have the highest load carrying capacity (which is essential for rural areas), are fuel-
efficient, have better road grip, and are also the most expensive. Besides, motorcycles are viewed
as “trendy” in the urban areas as compared with scooters and mopeds.
The fortunes of the motorcycle industry changed after the announcement of the liberal licensing
policy in 1982 where by foreign collaboration were allowed. In 1982, the Government allowed
foreign players to enter the industry through joint ventures. Within four years, the TVS Group tied
up with Suzuki, the Hero Group with Honda, the Escorts group with Yamaha and Bajaj Auto
Limited (Bajaj Auto) with Kawasaki. TVS & Suzuki introduced Ind-Suzuki in 1984, Hero Honda
Motors Limited (HHML) launched CD100 in 1985, and both Escorts and Bajaj Auto launched
their models in 1986-87.
Also, new entrants have entered the market by introducing their products at lower price points,
while the existing players have announced price cuts. This has led to price competition in the
domestic market.
Market Segment for Motorcycles
The motorcycle market in India can be segmented on the basis of price and power. The motorcycle
market is divided into five segments. Basic category models priced betweenRs.30, 000 - Rs.40,
000. Here the focus is, by and large, on price and fuel efficiency. In this category, Bajaj Auto has
Platina, HMC has CD-Deluxe and Yamaha has Crux. In the standard category i.e. Between Rs.42,
000 – Rs.50, 000, Bajaj Auto has Platina-125, HMC has Splendor and Splendor NXG and Yamaha
has Alba and GS-5. Executive category models priced between Rs.55,000 and 65,000. These are
models with Japanese and European standards of engineering, styling, manufacturing and riding
comfort. This segment has strong brand such as Victor (TVS), Passion Pro and SuperSplendor
(HHML), Discover (Bajaj Auto), Gladiator (Yamaha), Stunner and Shine (HMSI) and Zeus
(Suzuki). Deluxe category (Rs. 70,000 – Rs. 90,000) includes FZ-Sand FZ-16 (Yamaha), Hunk
and CBZ Xtreme (HMC), Pulsar150 and 180 (Bajaj), Apache (TVS), Unicorn (HMSI) and GS-
150 R (Suzuki). Premium category models priced above Rs. 90,000. Bajaj Auto has the Pulsar 200
and 220, Apache- RTR EFI(TVS) and R15 (Yamaha) and Karizma ZMR (HMC). HMC is the
market leader in the motorcycles segments. Since Honda has always been one of the global
pioneers in developing fuel-efficient engine technology, the unique selling propositions of all
HMC motorcycles are fuel efficiency and ease of maintenance. Motorcycles are positioned as
performance oriented, economy oriented and more recently, as products offering a mix of
performance and economy.