8 Auto Expo 2008: Summary of the Most Important models for the Bike Makers

Lets look at which are the models that our Bike Makers are putting their money on..

Talk about "Being in the right place at the right time..!!" I am referring to me being there in flesh for the Auto Expo 2008. The New Delhi Auto Expo, which is a biannual event, has virtually become a Pilgrimage of sorts for Auto Enthusiasts of the country. I must say that, it was an experience of a lifetime for me.

Moreover, thanks this exciting new medium called “blog”, I have been able to chronicle my experiences and share it with thousands of bike enthusiasts who visit this blog. I would also like to thank to all those who have chipped in with their comments and has kept the conversation alive.

"The most attractive specimens of the two-legged kind were also strategically positioned on the turntables.."

"Displays that were kept on the turntables can be taken to be the most important models for the bike makers.."

Now that the Auto Expo 2008 is finally over, let us analyze what each bike maker has planned for us. The strategy of each bike maker can roughly be deduced from the kind of display they had put up in the Pavilion.

Let me make it simple for you by saying that, those displays that were kept on (revolving) turntables can be taken to be the most important models for the bike makers, at least for the imediate future . These are the bikes which the Bike Makers do not want you to miss at the Auto Expo. This deduction gets credibility when you observe that the most attractive specimens of the two-legged kind were also strategically positioned on the turntables.

Lets rewind and try to figure out which bikes were kept on the turn tables (and next to... whatever) and then try to make out our own deductions from it..

• Yamaha: Yamaha had the YZF-R15 and the FZ-150 on two separate turn tables with two knockouts on them.




Deduction: Yamaha just did not want you to miss the YZF-R15 and the FZ-150 at any cost..!! But with such impressive models (pun intended) how could we ever miss it.

Its time to deliver now.

• TVS Motors: Even if the Apache RTR 160 “Fi” was present, TVS made sure that the 125 cc Flame got the most attention at their Pavilion. Two 125 cc "Flame" bikes were kept on the turntable along with female models (what else..!!)




Deduction: TVS wants to set the sales charts in Flames.. err.. on Fire. With shrinking profit margins, TVS needs a best seller badly. Will the 125 cc Flame do it for TVS..??

• Bajaj Auto: Among the two new launches at the AutoExpo, i.e. the 150 cc Discover and the XCD Sprint (with 4 Valves), Bajaj had kept just one bike on a turn table i.e. the XCD Sprint . For a change, there was no one of the fairer sex to obstruct your view (which was perfectly fine with me). However, the absence of anything higher than 220 cc (from Bajaj Auto), was a disappointment.




By the way, there were bikes from Kawasaki and KTM as well.


Deduction: Following the success of the XCD, Bajaj wants to going in for the Kill with the four valves of the XCD Sprint.

Does the Discover 150 DTSi give away a subtle hint.. (Psst.. what about a New Range of Pulsar UG IV’s with 4 Valves..??).

Also the Ninja 250R should keep the Probiking Flag Fluttering above the Yamaha YZF-R15.

• Honda / Suzuki / Hero Honda: No comments. Read this instead.

• Royal Enfield: No turn tables, no female models, no (new) bikes.

So which is the bike that you are looking forward the most in 2008..??

Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.