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Mar 30, 2011

6 Mahindra Mojo, Why..??

Should Mahindra launch the Mojo? Or should it not?

Why should Mahindra launch the Mojo?

1. Make a statement:

Show the established bike makers of India how to think beyond the 200-220 cc barrier. Get the attention of the bike enthusiasts. Build a reputation as a serious bike maker and thereby earn respect.

2. Get the crowds to the showroom:

The Stallio has been stalled (sorry couldn't stop myself), but according to Mahindra, it should be back in a couple of months.

Since Bollywood star and brand ambassador Aamir Khan has not been to convince the customer to go for the Stallio, the flashy Mojo should bring the crowds back to the Mahindra showrooms (and maybe convert them as Stallio customers).

3. Its a matter of pride now:

How can they not launch it after they have officially unveiled it?


Why Mahindra should NOT launch the Mojo?

Mar 24, 2011

7 Are Motorcycle Bloggers just Glorified Laptop Bikers..??

Yep, I am one too..

In just a couple of months, this blog of mine will complete 5 years. Started in Aug 2006, it is one of the first motorcycle blogs of India. Though out these 5 years I have seen quite a few motorcycle/auto blogs prop up. While most of them have fizzled out while a few still do exist.

I have never raced on a race track, I have never tried stunting, I have not even toured extensively..

most of my biking has been limited to commuting

Many guys who happen to stumble on my blog think that I am some kind of motorcycle expert. Daily I get many e-mails asking for my suggestions and "Advice" on motorcycles. I still get embarrassed when people think of me in this manner. I continue to maintain humbly that I am just another "biker next door" from India.

I can tell you for sure that none of the "desi motorcycle bloggers" out there are any better/expert than me. So are Motorcycle Bloggers just glorified Laptop Bikers..??

If our auto journalists from reputed magazines happen to read this, I am sure they would be nodding vigorously in unison (with a grin on their faces) by now.


Mar 23, 2011

9 CBR250R Price for India revealed + officially launched

Honda CBR250R officially launched in India + Prices for India also officially revealed.. Finally..!!

Prices:
    1. Non-ABS variant: Rs. 1.43 lakhs (Ex-Showroom Delhi), Rs. 1,57 (On-Road Delhi)

    2. ABS- variant: Rs. 1.68 lakhs (Ex-Showroom Delhi), Rs. 1,84 (On-Road Delhi)

Its probably unprecedented in India that a motorcycle model has received around 2500 advance bookings without getting an opportunity to see the bike in the flesh..!!

The Honda CBR250R is the real/proper upgrade to the Hero Honda Karizma..

Even if advance bookings were open from 1st January 2011, the final official prices was not available. Forget about getting test rides, the bike wasn't even there in the showrooms for the guys to get an opportunity to at least see the bike.

Thanks mainly to the information freely available on the internet, the CBR250R has generated around 2,500 advance bookings so far. The bike has finally been launched officially in India on March 22nd, 2011.

[Prices Source: HMSI Website]

The bike will be available in India in three colors: Black, Red, Silver.


Mar 19, 2011

4 Feb 2011, 2 Wheeler Sales India

February 2011 sales numbers of our Indian 2 wheeler manufacturers..

The Feb 2011 sales numbers doesn't throw in any surprises.. with Hero Honda at number one position followed by Bajaj Auto, TVS and HMSI respectively, it's double digit growth for all manufacturers.

Note:

1. The monthly sales figures include domestic sales as well as exports. Also it includes sales of all types of 2 wheelers (Motorcycles, Scooters, Mopeds etc.)



Mar 14, 2011

18 Can't undertand Mr. Bajaj's Pulsar/Discover/Boxer strategy? Read this..

You must have definitely heard Mr. Rajiv Bajaj's brand strategy to focus more on Discover & Pulsar and less on the parent Bajaj brand.. but do you really understand him..??

It was sometime in April 2010 (when I was on my annual vacation to my native) when Mr. Rajiv Bajaj (MD Bajaj Auto) made an official announcement that soon the product brands "Discover" and "Pulsar" would become independent brands and the parent Bajaj brand would take a back seat.

Imagine for Mr. Rajiv... "Bajaj" is actually his family name..!!

Needless to say, Mr. Bajaj's statement stunned everyone. The usual questions were: So would it be Pulsar Motorcycles? Discover Motorcycles? In fact even till date not many seasoned business analysts and journalists have exactly understood.. why..??

After going through many of the interviews which Mr. Bajaj has given to the (puzzled) media, let me try to put forward whatever that I have understood..