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Jan 8, 2008

6 Visited Auto Expo Today, Stalls are being prepared: Part-2 [Honda/Suzuki/TVS/Yamaha]

Visited Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and TVS pavilions at the Auto Expo 2008..

The pavilions for Honda (HMSI), Suzuki, Yamaha, and TVS are situated in hall no. 7. Construction work was going on in these halls as well. Here is what I saw in these Pavilions..

    Honda: Honda seems to be more serious in launching a new scooter called the "Aviator". The models were practicing the launch/unveiling of the "Aviator" on the stage.

    "9'th January 2008 is reserved for the Press Only.

    I hope that I would be able to visit the Auto Expo on the 10'th of January.. and get all the details of the new launches"

    There was a flat screen display on stage where the products were being displayed. Apart from the Scooter "Aviator", I remember seeing a motorcycle called the "Concept CBF" on the electronic screen. The Concept CBF has a monoshock rear suspension and a half fairing like the Hero Honda Karizma and the Bajaj Pulsar 220. The engine looked very much similar to the Honda Unicorn. But since the name itself suggests that it is a concept, it probably is just a show bike.

    All the bikes were kept under covers. But I did manage to see a few bikes as they were polishing the bikes one by one. I got to see a few imported big Honda Bikes viz. the CBR and the Hornet..!!




    Suzuki: The Suzuki Pavilion is bang opposite to the Honda Pavilion. The bikes were being unloaded and put on their display zones. I got to see the Hayabusa, B King, GSX R 1000, Bandit S and a Dirt Bike which probably had a 400 cc engine.

    Did not get to see any new domestic launches when I was there.




    Yamaha: The Yamaha Stall was under construction and there were no bikes present there.. But I did get to see the "Layout Map" of the Yamaha Pavilion. On the Layout Map I could see the space reserved for a Yamaha RX100and RD350 along with the R1 and the MT-01 models. The rest was coded and therefore couldn't make out what they stood for.




    TVS: The TVS pavilion had a few bikes which were heavily covered with paper and plastic. But i could make out that those bikes were the 125 cc Flame and the 160 cc Apache.. Couldn't get a closer look to figure out whether there was an Apache RTR 160 "Fi" around.




I was cursing myself for not taking the camera along. But with covers on most of the bike, the photos wouldn't have been of any value either.

9'th January 2008 is reserved for the Press Only. I hope that I would be able to visit the Auto Expo on the 10'th of January.. and get all the details of the new launches.


Due to the lack of time I couldn't find and visit the Hero Honda pavilion.







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.




4 Visited Auto Expo Today, Stalls are being prepared: Part-1 [Bajaj to display a 4 Wheeler..!! + Pics of the Bajaj Car]

Bajaj will display a Small Concept Car along with Bikes from KTM and Kawasaki..!! Three New 2 wheelers to be launched in 2008

Today I Went to Pragati Maidan, the venue of Auto Expo 2008. I got a Sneek Peek at the stalls being prepared for the 9'th Auto Expo 2008.

Here is the first hand account of what I saw at the Bajaj Pavilion..

Bajaj Pavilion: The Bajaj Pavilion is at hall No. 3. Construction work was still going on while the display bikes which were positioned at their place. I must state here that I did not get to see even one of them completely since all of them had covers on them.

The Bajaj Pavilion has..


# Zone for Bajaj Bikes

# Zone for KTM Bikes

# Zone for Kawasaki Bikes

# Center enclosure for Bajaj 4 Wheeler Display..!!




Three new bikes for 2008..


# A 125 cc XCD Sprint (With 4 valves and disc brakes)

# A Discover 150 DTSi

# 125 cc Scooter called Blade

But I did get a feel as to what to expect from the Bajaj Pavilion. The Bajaj Pavilion has a circular shape and is divided into three zones, each with a different color. The Blue Zone has Bajaj Logo on it, the Orange Zone has KTM Logo on it and the third Zone wich is a mixture of two colors (Black and Red) has Kawasaki Logo on it..!!!

So gentlemen, expect bikes of KTM and Kawasaki bikes to be displayed along with the Bajaj Bikes..!!

    Bajaj Zone: The Bajaj Zone had seven bikes on display (under covers)..

    KTM Zone: The KTM Zone had five bikes on display and I could peek under on of the covers of one and culd make out that it was a dirt bike. Don't have any idea about the rest of the bikes. Also there were KTM Branded Aparallel (Riding Jackets/Gloves/Duffel Bags/Back Packs/Racing Suits/Riding Jackets) on display.

    Kawasaki Zone:The Kawasaki Zone had five bikes on diaplay. Saw the Petal shaped front disc brakes of one which looks like the Ninja 250..!!

    Center Zone: The center of the Bajaj Pavilion had a glass enclosure which had a round turn table in it. My best guess is that Bajaj is going to show its 4 Wheeler Concept in it..!!



Here are the first pics of the Bajaj 4 Wheeler Concept (Source Rediff.Com) . More pics of the car and details can be obtained from Rediff.Com.

Bajaj 4 Wheeler Concept

Bajaj 4 Wheeler Concept


Bajaj to launch 3 new 2 wheelers in 2008:

There is news that Bajaj is going to launch 3 new 2 wheelers in 2008. These would be..

  • A 125 cc XCD DTS-i Sprint (with 4 valves and front disc) for more power


  • Discover 150 cc DTS-i.. and


  • A 125 cc scooter called Blade



Hopefully these new bikes will be on display in the Bajaj Pavilion.





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.




Jan 7, 2008

5 New Bikes in Auto Expo 2008: What to Expect

What new bikes can we expect to see in Auto Expo 2008..??

Just 2 days are left for the 9'th Auto Expo 2008.


Keep the faith on me, for I'll be there this time to cover it..!!

A couple of days back I had received a comment on this blog from an anonymous guy. He said he had scoop of Yamaha's next 150 cc "Power Bike" for India and wanted me to post about his blog on "The Bike Chronicles of India".

I went to the link of his blog and left a comment at his blog stating that as soon as he could show some concrete proof about the bike on his blog (he didn't have any at that time), I would definitely publish about this scoop on his blog.

But today that same blog seems to have been disappeared from the net. In case you are curious, here is the link of that blog (http://yzf-r15.blogspot.com/) which seems to have disappeared.

Actually Yamaha had already announced (a few months back) their intentions of launching a 150 cc (or probably a 165 cc) bike and showing the same in the 2008 Auto Expo.



Lets see what new bikes can we expect to see during the Auto Expo 2008: (Mostly as quoted by newspapers and NOT RUMOURS).

    Bajaj: There is no word about what Bajaj might show at the Auto Expo 2008. But quite recently Bajaj did join hands with French Car maker Renault and bike maker KTM. The rest is left to your imagination.

    Update: 8'th Jan, 2007 11:00 hrs

    My friend Anirban has left a comment on this blog, pointing to a link which carries news about the products that we can expect from Bajaj Auto in Auto Expo 2008. According to the Times of India news article (8'th Jan, 2008)..

    "Motorcycle afficionados can expect some stunning bikes from the company, not just as eye candy on its stall but as actual two-wheeled expressions of delight which they could buy from its showrooms later this year.

    Apart from conjuring newer and more modern versions of its Pulsars and Avengers, Bajaj will have a spanking new engine it is developing with Austrian bike major KTM to power a range of quarter-litre machines from later this year.

    The Pune-based company which leads the battle in the motorcycling space has decided to twist the wrist to the max,with the complete KTM range of on-off dual purpose bikes and also its range of individualistic high performance street bikes which would go on sale in a phased manner.

    And just before anyone else could ask the question about Kawasaki, Bajaj will also reveal what Kawasaki large capacity bikes it would make in India from this year on and also the Kawasaki superbikes it would bring in as CBUs! Expect much to be revealed tomorrow on the Bajaj front."


    TVS: TVS should definitely show their New Fuel Injected Apache RTR 160 "Fi" & the soon to be launched 125 cc TVS Flame and the Electric Powered Scooty EV. Apart from that there is no official word from them about the Auto Expo.

    Yamaha: Yamaha India had said that they plan to launch their 150 cc bike in India by Mid-2008. And the Auto Expo should be the perfect venue to showcase its new bike. and yes, the recently launched R1 & MT-01 should make an appearance in the Auto Expo too.

    Suzuki: Not to be left behind, Suzuki India has also said that it plans to launch premium bikes in the Between 125 - 175 cc segment. It also seems that you can expect to see some 500-600 cc bikes from Suzuki, which might make it to India for 5-6 lakhs of rupees.

    Honda: Honda (HMSI) plans to unveil a 125 cc scooter and two bikes (One 125 cc and the other 150 cc) during the Auto Expo 2008. One just hopes that the bikes aren't just another clones of he 125 cc shine and the 150 cc Unicorn.

    Royal Enfield: Pics of the Royal EnfieldBullet 500 EFi with U.C.E (Unit Construction Engine) has already appeared in foreign websites, therefore it is natural to expect to see these new engines at the Auto Expo 2008.


    Hero Honda: Don't have the slightest Idea.





By the way, just 2 days are left the curtains to lift from India's 9'th Auto Expo 2008. Keep the faith on me, for I'll be there this time to cover it.





[P.S: According to that "Anonymous blogger, the new 150 cc Yamaha has a full body fairing.

I do not know for sure whether that is true or not, but I would love to see something like the one posted below.

It is a Digitally Modified Picture of the Yamaha Vixion which is sold in Indonesia taken from this blog]


Yamaha VixionThe Original Yamaha Vixion (Top) and the Digitally Modded Vixion (bottom)Yamaha Vixion Digitally Modified







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.




Jan 4, 2008

7 Yamaha India MD, Mr. T. Ishikawa is moving back to Japan

Mt. T.Ishikawa, Yamaha India MD of two years is moving back to Japan just before the Auto Expo 2008..

I would have preferred the first post in the new season for "The Bike Chronicles of India" to start with a positive note.. but there is news that..

Yamaha India’s MD is leaving India after two years

This is what LiveMint.Com has recently reported:

"Yamaha Motor India Ltd announced on Thursday that its Managing Director Tomotaka Ishikawa is moving back to Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd in Japan to take up a new assignment effective 1 January.

The company did not give any details on his future responsibilities."

- LiveMint, 28 Dec 2007

Tomotaka Ishikawa

Mr. Tomotaka Ishikawa



So Yamaha India will get a new MD now.. what’s the big deal..??

Let me tell you that it “IS” a Big Deal..!! A Yamaha veteran of 30 years, Mr. Ishikawa wasn’t just another guy from Yamaha. Ishikawa is well known as a "Turn around Specialist" for Yamaha.

"I will turn it around,” he says “Watch me.” The determination shows.

Ishikawa stays by himself and says he has asked his wife and children to avoid visiting him."

- Mr. T Ishikawa for LiveMint, July 28 2007

Ishikawa had earned that reputation after he had successfully turned around Yamaha’s fortunes in South East Asian countries of Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. Similar to the current situation in India, Yamaha was languishing in these South East Asian Countries as well. It was Ishikawa who was instrumental in Yamaha’s resurgence in these countries. Under his leadership, Yamaha launched a slew of new products in these markets and implemented aggressive marketing strategies which finally manage to turn around Yamaha’s fortunes in these countries.



The same was expected from Ishikawa when he was appointed the MD of Yamaha India two years ago.

In fact LiveMint had carried an article on Mr. Ishikawa few months back which showed how determined, keen and serious Mr. Ishikawa was on turning around Yamaha India’s operations in India.





Just take at look at a few lines from that previous LiveMint article:

"I will turn it around,” he says “Watch me.” The determination shows.

Ishikawa stays by himself and says he has asked his wife and children to avoid visiting him.

He has told them he wants no distractions now and the only trip they should make to India is at the end of his tenure here."




What it means for Yamaha India..??

Honestly I don’t know what to make of this sudden end of tenure of Mr. Ishikawa. There has been no reason given for the abrupt end of his stint in India. What is more puzzling is that the announcement comes just a few weeks before the all important Auto Expo 2008.

It was Mr. Ishikawa who was instrumental in bringing down the big bikes/imports viz. the Yamaha R1 and Mt-01 in India. Even though Yamaha India sales have consistently been at the bottom for sometime now (See the Domestic sales figures of Motorcycles in 125 cc and above segment), there was hope that Mr. Ishikawa would do a turn around similar to what he did in the South East Asian countries for Yamaha.

Above 125 cc: Domestic Motorcycle Sales

Domestic Motorcycle Sales: 125 cc and above


Above 125 cc: Domestic Motorcycle Sales Graph

Note:

# Apart from Yamaha and Suzuki, the other bike makers also have models above 125 cc
# Suzuki India has only 125 cc models in it's motorcycle lineup
# Yamaha India has the "Gladiator" in its 125 cc product lineup. Doesn't have any model above 125 cc segment.


Source of Sales Figures: SIAM



What’s the Big deal if Mr. Ishikawa is gone..?? Somebody else will carry on with the job now

You cannot just throw in a few motorcycle models and hope that everything will fall into place magically.

"Leadership:

Steve Jobs (for Apple), Sir Richard Branson (for Virgin), Dhirubhai Ambani (for Reliance), Mr. Narayan Murthy (for Infosys), Ratan Tata (for Tata Motors), Mr. Rahul Bajaj (for Bajaj Auto)

As for any nation/country, the fortune of any company depends heavily on its leadership. It is the leader who is responsible for envisioning the future and chalking out a strategy for the country/nation. A leader must be able to inject enthusiasm in his country men/company employees and make them believe and work towards the direction/dream shown by him.

It goes without saying that not every one can do what the following personalities have managed to achieve: Steve Jobs (for Apple), Sir Richard Branson (for Virgin), Dhirubhai Ambani (for Reliance), Mr. Narayan Murthy (for Infosys), Ratan Tata (for Tata Motors) and Mr. Rahul Bajaj (for Bajaj Auto).

But at least I personally hoped that with Mr. Tomotaka Ishikawa would be able to do something similar for Yamaha India to what he did in South East Asian countries.


But since he has gone back...

So what can we expect from Yamaha India now..??

If a person like Ishikawa couldn't do it for Yamaha India, then honestly I do not have the slightest idea what to expect.









Related Posts:

  • Yamaha launches the R1 and MT-01 in India [R1 & MT-01 Wallpaper]


  • Yamaha plans to launch its 150 C.C by 2008


  • Yamaha "V-ixion".. is this the 150 C.C from Yamaha for India..??


  • Indians have Unadventurous taste.. Yamaha plans an "Automatic" Motorcycle


  • John Abraham and Yamaha part ways


  • What's ailing the Japanese in India..?? [Part I: Yamaha India]


  • Will the "Yamaha Fazer 250" and "Honda CBX 250 Twister" be ever launched in India..??


  • Yamaha India hangs on to Indian market despite losses






      • 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.




      Jan 1, 2008

      Bike Reviews

      Test Ride/Reviews by the Author


      Bajaj Auto:

      Hero Honda



      Hero Honda Hunk [Nov, 2007]



      Hero Honda Splendor NXG [Jun, 2007]



      Hero Honda Achiever & CBZ Xtreme [Dec, 2006]

      Honda (HMSI)



      Honda CB Twister 110 [Mar, 2010]



      Honda Unicorn [Dec, 2006]


      Hyosung:
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