Mahindra Two Wheelers starts new product offensive with 106.7cc Centuro

July 1, 2013: Jaipur: Mahindra Two Wheelers, the youngest player in the Indian two-wheeler block, plans to launch 10 new products, including new variants of existing models within the next two- to two- and-a-half years.

"Our R&D team is working feverishly on a slew of launches," says Anoop Mathur, president -- Two Wheeler Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra. The range of products covers various segments and applications. Given M&M's strength in producing utility vehicles, an off-road bike could also be part of the new products that are being planned by Mahindra Two Wheelers. "It will be safe to assume that probably there will be a day when you will see an off-roader or an ATV of sorts emerging from the two-wheeler business," says Mathur. But for now, Mathur and his team's focus is to ensure the success of the Centuro, which sports a price tag of Rs 45,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and competes with the likes of the Hero Passion Pro and Honda Dream Yuga commuter bikes. It falls in a segment that sells around 150,000 units a month. In order to entice customers in a slowing market, Mahindra Two Wheelers is offering the Centuro for Rs 44,000 to the first 10,000 customers.

Designed in-house at the company’s R&D Centre in Pune, the 106.7cc Centuro develops 8.5bhp and delivers an ARAI-certified mileage of 85.4 kilometres per litre. The Centuro engine is identical to the motor that powers the Mahindra Pantero launched earlier this year.

The Centuro comes with a raft of features never before available in the commuter bike segment and Mahindra Two Wheelers will be hoping this will draw buyers. The Centuro’s instrument cluster includes an analogue tachometer, digital speedometer, odometer, tripmeter, clock, service-indicator, economy-mode indicator and a distance to empty read-out. Plus, a flip-to-open 96 bit encrypted key which makes it impossible to start the Centuro using a duplicate key. This key also enables riders to flash their bike’s headlight when they want to locate it in the dark.

Meanwhile, Mahindra Two Wheelers plans to increase its reach by expanding its network of 400 dealers and 500 touch points to a total of 1,000 in the next 6-8 months. "With the current network strength, we cover 75-80 percent of the two-wheeler market," says Mathur.

The overall two-wheeler market is witnessing a slowdown with most segments showing no growth and some declining. But Mahindra Two Wheelers is hopeful of a turnaround by the festive season. "There will be postponement in purchase. Some may even downgrade their choice of product due to economic reasons," says Viren Popli, executive vice-president, Mahindra Two Wheelers.

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Photograph: Anand Mahindra, chairman, Mahindra Group and Anoop Mathur, president – Two Wheeler Sector and Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra & Mahindra, with the Centuro.