Suzuki to stop making commuter bikes and will focus only on the performance segment
A couple of days back, Suzuki Motorcycles India launched two faired sports bikes in India. One is a facelifted Gixxer SF 155 and another one is an all-new Gixxer SF 250. The company has nailed it with the pricing of Gixxer SF 250 at Rs 1.7 lakh ex-showroom. This price will make it possible to crush Honda’s CBR 250R in the Indian market which carries a price tag of Rs 1.95 lakh ex-showroom.
The Japanese company now says that they will focus on the premium bike segment. The engine capacity of upcoming Suzuki bikes to be kept minimum at 150cc. This news comes as the commuter bike market is shrinking and other two-wheeler brands are moving away from the segment. Like other manufacturers, Suzuki too will focus on higher displacement premium and lifestyle motorcycles from now.
Devashish Handa, VP marketing said. “As part of our clear cut new product strategy, all our new motorcycles will be greater than 150cc displacement starting from Gixxer SF 250 onwards.”
Also Read: Suzuki Gixxer SF 150 launched at Rs 1.1 lakh
“All new products introductions will be higher than this category and we do not intend to be in the commuter part of the market at all. We would like to satisfy the aspirational and passion need of the customer instead of functional needs.” He added.
Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 is the starting point of the new strategy
According to these statements, the company seems to be working on even higher capacity motorcycles then recently launched Gixxer SF 250. One can also expect other bike models from the same 250cc engine, say Naked Gixxer 250 or a 250cc Cruiser.
“In the short term, we would be targeting the sports motorcycle category to customers who want another option from say a Bajaj Pulsar 220F or a Yamaha Fazer 25.” He explained. “We are looking at a customer who is young and urban because, in terms of network, 50% of our 500 dealerships are in metro or tier 1 cities,” Handa said.
Also Read: Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 launched at Rs 1.7 lakh
It is evident from the previous launches from Suzuki. There were no commuter segment 100-110cc bike or scooter launched recently as the company is focusing on premium and lifestyle products like Access 125, Burgman Street 125, Intruder 150, etc. It is actually wise for the company to move forward into the performance segment as it is now growing at a faster rate.
Suzuki to bring in more middleweight bikes in India
“All our scooters and motorcycles launches will be higher up the value chain. Going ahead, we will introduce two products every year in scooters and motorcycles and all these will be upwards of where we are now in terms of engine displacement.” He added.
Also Read: Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT launched
“We are looking at someone who already knows something about sports bikes and is not a novice,” he continued. “That holds true as much for the 250cc segment as for the higher displacement bikes like the GSX S750, the GSX R1000 or the V Strom 650. Going forward, we would want to have an increased play in cruiser bikes.” said Handa.
Looking at the sales figures, Suzuki is nearing to catch up to its installed capacity of 10 lakh units per annum. The company is now planning for its second factory and we will have a word from them soon. Suzuki will now launch a naked 250cc Gixxer in the coming months and will be priced around Rs 1.6 lakh ex-showroom.
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