The R15 is the coolest motorcycle you can buy for roughly a lakh of rupees in India. Yamaha is overjoyed with the kind of response India has given them, and it looks like they are back, which means it's nothing but good news for bikers in India.
The response of the R15 has sparked Yamaha to launch more bikes. The Japanese manufacturer announced a few days back that two more bikes from their line-up will see Indian soil in the next year. Details are unclear, but one of them is rumored to be a 125 cc bike. IAB predicts that it should be the YZF-R125, which is already being sold in abroad markets and looks as aggressive as elder brother R15.
YMI is also planning on introducing a range of scooters in India, including models like Jog, Tmax and Majesty (all in 150-250cc range) in India and will take a decision about its possible introduction in due course, some of them which were spotted in Pune.
To ensure proper and timely distribution, Yamaha will add 80 dealers to the existing total of 430. Publicity matters and hence Yamaha will conduct road shows and events in colleges across India. The dealerships, which were once selling the 100 cc bikes, after the introduction of R15 and the forthcoming performance bikes, will turn into 'concept stores.' YMI will invest nearly Rs.800 crore in the country to beef up its existing production capacity to 800,000 units in the next few years.
Currently, Yamaha's product portfolio comprises MT01 (1,670cc), YZF-R1 (998cc), YZF-R15 (150cc), Gladiator Type SS & RS (125cc), Gladiator Graffiti (125cc), G5 (106cc), Alba (106cc) and Crux (106cc), FZ16 (150cc). The good times are back for Yamaha. Will Suzuki, the company similar to Yamaha a while ago in India with a profile comprising of 125 cc bikes join the race with mini-Hayabusas and GSXRs?
IAB Comment- Yamaha is adding variety to the crowded 150 cc and 125 cc category. Only a matter of time before we see 180 and 200 cc bikes with the Yamaha logo. And Yamaha, you are trying to freshen up the market with these clones and all. Why can't you introduce like a 100 c.c. dirt bike? Dirt bikes haven't made their debuted in India. Maybe they had to come only through brand Yamaha? Think about it.
