Exclusive : Mahindra Two Wheelers developing a 160cc bike

Growing slow and steady, Mahindra Two Wheelers (MTWL) has clear priorities and is in no rush to clog its portfolio with a number of all-new two-wheeler models in quick succession. While the 110cc automatic scooter remains the top priority for the company currently, Autocar Professional learns that the firm is also working on a 160cc commuter motorcycle project.

According to a reliable source associated with the project, “MTWL is working on a 160cc premium commuter motorcycle, which, if all goes well, is expected to be rolled out either by end-2014 or in early 2015. However, the utmost priority for the company remains to roll out the ready 110cc scooter, which is squarely aimed at garnering volumes for them.”

The upcoming 160cc motorcycle is said to be positioned in the premium commuter motorcycle segment which currently has models such as TVS Apache RTR 160, Yamaha FZ variants (153cc), Suzuki Gixxer (150cc), Honda Unicorn variants (150cc), Hero CBZ Xtreme (150cc) and Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTS-i and others. Clearly, MTWL has plans of being a part of every high selling segment.

While MTWL currently retails only the Centuro and the Pantero (106.7cc commuter motorcycles) in its bike portfolio, it sells four models under its scooter portfolio, namely the Duro DZ, Rodeo RZ, Flyte (all three using the same 124.6cc, single-cylinder engine) and the 71.5cc Kine.

According to SIAM data, the company has cumulatively sold 123,677 bikes in the domestic market between April 2013-January 2014, thanks to the positive response to the Centuro motorcycle. On the other hand, MTWL has raked in cumulative scooter sales (between only 125cc models) of 41,567 units between April 2013-January 2014 as against 90,410 units sold during the same period from the last fiscal, down by 54 percent.

 Photograph: The Centuro is currently Mahindra Two Wheelers’ best-seller.