DSK-Benelli has big plans for India. It plans to launch eight new bikes in the country by the end of 2016 to provide customers with a wide range of bikes.
Benelli entered the Indian market late last year in a partnership with DSK and started its sales operations a couple of months ago. As expected, the lucrative pricing for some models has given the brand a good start in terms of sales. It launched five bikes in the country in the beginning with engines ranging from 300cc to 1131cc. The most popular bikes in the portfolio currently are the 600i and the 600 GT due to the awesome sounding in-line four-cylinder motor and the value for money pricing.
In order to take the game further, Benelli has planned to launch eight new motorcycles in different segments by the end of 2016. This would give them an edge over the competitors most of which have a limited portfolio in India. Two bikes which shall be launched this year have already been revealed and the third one might be sold under a different brand name. The most important bike for the Italian bike maker would be the TNT 25 as it would be the most affordable bike in the stable. Powered by a 249cc engine, it would produce 25.4 BHP of power which would make it a good daily ride.
A segment which is constantly gaining popularity in India is the adventure tourer segment and it has seen a lot of action in the past few months with brands like Triumph launching bikes in the segment. Benelli would be launching the TreK Amazonas here. The tourer is based on the TNT 1130 and comes with tweaks such as longer suspension travel, more comfortable seats and a riding position suitable for touring. Although the bike would carry a price tag of Rs. 11.5 lakhs (ex-showroom), we believe it would sell well due to its USP’s.
The third bike under contemplation is the Keeway Blackster 250. The Chinese company which owns Benelli also owns the brand Keeway. It wanted to rebrand the Blackster as a Benelli for India to benefit from Benelli’s dealership network. However, the Italian brand hasn’t yet agreed to let the bike use its brand name because it takes just one mistake to spoil a brand name. Taking the risk for a product made by some other company is a risk not worth taking. The cruiser looks fairly decent but has an engine making less power than the TNT 25.
The other bikes that Benelli plans to launch in 2016 sound interesting. Two bikes are based on the TNT 300. One of them is a fully faired version which shall set the pulse racing while the other is a semi-faired version which shall be more suitable for highway riding. The next bike is an interesting one. A 500cc parallel-twin powered adventure bike which shall be sourced from China to keep costs in check. The bike maker also has another trick up its sleeves. A 750cc twin-cylinder engine is under development and shall be plonked in a naked and a fully faired motorcycle. By the time these bikes are launched, the dealership network of the brand would have expanded to most major cities of India.
Source – AutocarIndia.com
