Kawasaki India to launch more SKD bikes

When Kawasaki launched the 2017 Ninja 1000 last week, we were surprised to find that it comes as a semi-knocked-down (SKD) unit. The SKD route has helped the company price the 2017 Ninja 1000 at an attractive price of Rs 9.98 lakhs (ex-showroom pan India). The Japanese manufacturer, however, doesn’t intend to stop with just one bike. 

According to our source, Kawasaki will launch more semi-knocked-down (SKD) bikes in the next two years. This plan includes new bikes as well as from the current line-up. So motorcycles like the Z1000, Ninja ZX-10R and the Ninja ZX-14R will be assembled at the company’s new Chakan plant. The Versys 1000 may get a similar treatment too, however, that’s not a part of Kawasaki’s immediate plans. 

Kawasaki is bullish about the Indian market and has planned an aggressive growth strategy. The top honchos of the Indian arm have always wanted to sell more big bikes. Unfortunately, the current taxation on CBU bikes has made it expensive for most of the buyers. To make their bikes more affordable, Kawasaki India wanted to assemble all their big bikes in India. However, the headquarters in Japan weren’t in favour of that, citing quality issues. But now it looks like the top officials in Japan are comfortable with the SKD route and have approved plans to send more bikes via SKD route. 

Kawasaki plans to open at least 3-4 showrooms by the end of this year, thus bringing their total count to 16. The Japanese manufacturer will launch the Versys-X 300 and a new cruiser in India by the end of this year. The showroom expansion is in line with the new entry-level and middle-weight product launches as they bring in volumes in terms of sales and the company wants to have a better presence before introducing them in India.