Suzuki India Motorcycles Boost Production Output

Suzuki Motorcycle India, a subsidiary of Japanese motorcycle giant Suzuki Motor Corporation, proposes to invest to expand capacity and strengthen its dealership network in India, a senior company official on Monday said. India is one of Asia's biggest motorcycle markets, just coming second after China.

"We plan to double our manufacturing capacity from the present, double our dealership network from 145 in the next two-year period," Suzuki Motorcycle India Managing Director Satya Sheel told reporters after unveiling the Suzuki Access 125 model here.

Presently, Suzuki Motor Corporation (Japan) holds 74 per cent equity stake, while its Indian partner has 26 per cent share. Earlier, Suzuki Motorcycle India had invested largely in the last two years, Sheel said, adding the company has no plans to tap the capital market in the near future.

Suzuki Motorcycle was aiming to expand its dealership network from 145 to 290 by entering into B and C class cities, he said. Models like Heat (125cc) and Zeus (125cc) were targeted to provide Indian customers a refreshing new feel in the 125cc motorcycle segment, Sheel added.

The Suzuki Heat is Suzuki India's entry-level bike. With a 125cc single cylinder, four-stroke engine, Suzuki is trying to attract more economy-segment buyers with this more powerful bike. The Suzuki Zeus is a 125cc single cylinder bike and is targeted towards the college students and executives.

Suzuki Motorcycle India's manufacturing plant was set up at Gurgaon in Haryana (India) with an annual plant capacity of 1,70,000 units. The company has already utilized 6.5 acres of land and remaining area of 30.5 acres is left for land development and future expansions, Sheel said. Thai Suzuki Motor company has a production capacity of about 400,000 units annually. The Thai factory opened back in 1967 and since then The Suzuki Motor is continuously expanded and succeeded in accordance with Thailand's economic prosperity.