Reports from the media suggested that Mahindra 2-Wheelers had discontinued the Pantero motorcycle in India due to the poor sales of the product. However, refuting the reports, the Indian two-wheeler manufacturer has issued a press statement stating that Mahindra has no such plans and the Pantero will continue to exist in the market. The company will also continue the export of the Mahindra Arrow motorcycle sold in other markets, which is based on the Pantero.
Originally launched as the Mahindra Stallio, the 100cc commuter motorcycle was reincarnated as the Mahindra Pantero in 2013 as an entry-level motorcycle from the company. However, the Pantero failed to make any kind of impact in the segment and averages around 200 units per month. In comparison, the competition hilariously manages 10 times more than that every month, even with a bad week.
Sharing its mechanicals with the Centuro motorcycle, the Pantero is a no nonsense bare-bones version of the Centuro powered by a 106.7cc engine producing 8.5 PS at 7500 RPM and 8.5 Nm at 5500 RPM, paired to a 5-speed transmission. Despite being available in four variants at an attractive starting price of Rs. 39,650/- (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Pantero failed to capture the market sentiment that is largely in favour of the Hero Splendor. The 100cc bike has also been subjected to cannibalisation within the segment due to the strong performance shown by the Centuro.
A consistent seller for Mahindra, the company will continue to push the Centuro forward this year as well. Nonetheless, the two-wheeler manufacturer has four new products planned for launch in the next six months. Mahindra will launch a new 110cc scooter, an entry-level segment motorcycle; the Mojo 300 and new variants of its existing products (Centuro with a front disc brake which was showcased at the Auto Expo). The new scooter will share its engine with the Pantero and will be competing in the bread and butter 110cc segment, while the upcoming 100-110cc motorcycle will be locking horns with the likes of Hero Splendor, Passion and TVS Star City.
The Mojo 300 will finally see the light by the end of the year and will be contesting in the highly competitive quarter-litre segment. Despite being relatively new, Mahindra is optimistic of its domestic expansion plans and also plans to enter in 4 new markets by the end of the year taking the total of export markets to 15. The company reported an 83 percent increase in domestic sales selling 14,389 units in June from 7849 units sold last year during the same period, while exports stood at 1074 units.
