After announcing a strategic tie-up with Indian electric two-wheeler start-up Twenty Two Motors, Taiwan's Kymco (Kwang Yang Motor Co), which is one of the most popular scooter marques in South East Asia and the fourth largest scooter brand in Europe, has confirmed plans to enter the Indian market with its petrol-engined high-end scooters.
Kymco is an established player in Taiwan, with the company majorly selling its range of lifestyle Maxi scooters, all in the above 400cc engine capacity space, and alongside also has motorcycle and ATV products in its portfolio.
Having struck a JV partnership with Gurgaon-based two-wheeler start-up Twenty Two Motors, Kymco aims to leverage the joint brand network of Twenty Two Motors Kymco, and bring its bigger, high-capacity premium lifestyle scooters such as the AK 550, its flagship offering.
“We are studying the Indian market and doing a feasibility analysis and will introduce our lifestyle products over the next two years in the country,” said Allen Ko, chairman, Kymco Group, speaking to Autocar Professional.
It is to be noted that in March 2018, Autocar Professional had reported that Kymco was scouting for an Indian partner to enter the booming two-wheeler market.
The company will also utilise the upcoming Twenty Two Motors Kymco brand experience centres, as well as its authorised service outlets to offer after-sales support for these petrol powered scooters. The Maxi scooters will be locally assembled from CKD kits being imported from Taiwan and the JV will aim to enhance localisation and lower the prices gradually.
The Kymco AK 550 comes powered by a 550cc, two-cylinder four-stroke engine, which produces 52bhp of power at 7,500rpm and 56Nm of peak torque at 5,500rpm. The engine gets fuel injection, liquid cooling and comes mated to a CVT gearbox. The scooter offers features such as LED lights, dual disc setup and a digital speedometer console.
While the premium two-wheeler market is almost non-existent in India, it would be interesting to see how the company brings its products out and generate consumer interest in a motorcycle frenzy market.