Report - Yamaha Project INDRA low-cost bike to be exported to Africa

03/11/2014 - 10:30 | Yamaha Crux, Yamaha | Nithyanandh K

Being developed in India with a cost target of INR 30,000.

The Yamaha Project INDRA (Innovative and New Development based on Responsible Analysis) is the lost-cost commuter motorcycle that is in the works.

Being developed at Yamaha Motor Research and Development India Pvt. Ltd. (YMRI) with assistance from Yamaha's Japanese R&D team, the commuter is coming together with stringent cost targets in place.

Talking to The Hindu Business Line, Mr. Sanjeev Paul, Group Head, Purchase & Operation, Yamaha India, stated that the vendors will also actively participate in finalizing certain aspects of the product.

Yamaha YBR 110 at the 2014 Colombo Motor Show Sri Lanka — The Yamaha Project INDRA will be made at the Chennai plant with in-campus vendors for critical components. [Image: Yamaha YBR 110.]

To be produced at Yamaha's new Chennai facility which will start operations shortly with the Alpha, the new low-cost motorcycle will benefit from 8 in-campus vendors who will supply the critical components. The idea is to save big on the supply chain which would directly translate into a competitive product pricing.

The technical details and time frame for the launch are not clear as of now but expect it to be powered by a 100-110cc air-cooled four-stroke engine mated to a 4-speed gearbox, similar to the Bajaj Boxer.

Also read: Yamaha's Chennai plant inching closer to inauguration

While Yamaha has previously hinted that the India-made affordable motorcycle would target major markets like China, Mr. Paul states that about half of the production volume would be shipped to Africa which is considered to be a serious growth market for the Japanese brand.

[Source: The Hindu BusinessLine]