Kawasaki motorcycle business looks to increase production in India, an oft used business idea that’s been explored by manufacturers wherein India features as a manufacturing and export hub. Rival and former partner, Bajaj Auto exports its wares to Latin America. Kawasaki looks to use India as an export base to do business in Africa and Latin America.
In that respect, production output would be increased to about 10,000 motorbikes a year. This includes the brand’s Ninja model. After separating with Bajaj in April 2017, Kawasaki began operations at its own 10,000 sq m plant in Chakan, Maharashtra in 2017. Operations prior to this involved assembling its 250 cc – 650 cc bikes at a plant leased from Bajaj Auto. Kawasaki now even makes its 1000cc Ninja at the Maharashtra plant.
Alongside, Kawasaki India will increase its dealership count. In an effort to become price competitive in emerging markets and India, Kawasaki has brought in engineers to the country to explore opportunities to increase sourcing of locally manufactured, low-cost components for its bikes. This would include the very attractive small displacement Ninja 200cc.
This is the first time plans about a Kawasaki 200 cc motorcycle has been discussed by a Kawasaki official. It is too early to speculate about the bike, but as the nomenclature is, it could be called Kawasaki Ninja 200. Tp keep costs low, power could come from a single cylinder 200 cc engine, delivering about 24 PS. It could rival the likes of Bajaj Pulsar RS 200, KTM RC 200 in the segment.
Apart from the Ninja 200, Kawasaki India is bullish on growth of premium bike sales in India with forecasts putting market growth at 30 percent YoY. The brand plans to increase the number of Kawasaki-only dealers in India to 30 by 2020 end as the limited number of dealerships does limit its selling capacity, and more access points would be necessary to improve footprint and sales.
Through 2016, Kawasaki India sales were reported at 1,400 units. Since ending its association with Bajaj Auto in April 2017 until January 2018, the company reported sales of 1,500 units. Growth plan includes a sales target of 5k units by 2020 end, which is what China sells right now.
Kazuo Ota, head of Kawasaki’s motorcycles and engines division also spoke of ‘potential demand for models with displacements of around 200 cc, not just large bikes’. And yes, Kawasaki may develop new models in India. As of now, they’re keeping the market pulse through localization.
The newly launched localised MY Ninja 300 has made possible a price reduction of Rs 62,000, making it a more than affordable twin-cylinder. Prior to this, the company began locally assembly of Ninja ZX-10R, which resulted in cost reduction of 6 lakhs. Indian two wheeler market accounts for more than 30 percent of global motorcycle demand, making it the single largest market.