DSK Motorwheels, a part of DS Kulkarni Group, is going to set up a new plant near Pune to assemble and manufacture motorcycles for Benelli and Hyosung. DSK Motorwheels will invest around Rs 400 crore in building the new plant which will boost the Pune-based company’s annual production capacity to 1,20,000 units.
Speaking about the company’s plans, Mr Shivapada Ray, COO, DSK Motorwheels told ETAuto, "We are in the process of building a full new unit in Maharashtra, very close to our current plant in Pune. For a start, we are looking at 120,000 units per shift and will be ready for production in the next two years.”
Earlier this year, DSK Motorwheels announced a tie-up with the Italian two-wheeler manufacturer, Benelli. Together, they showcased five bikes at an event in Pune, which are going to be launched in India early next year.
For now, the new Benelli motorcycles, along with Hyosung’s current range, will be manufactured at the company’s existing facility in Maharashtra. This facility has an annual capacity of 3,000 units, which will be increased to 5,000 units with the addition of an extra shift.
DSK Motorwheels has been aggressively expanding Hyosung’s footprint across the country and recently inaugurated the brand’s 40th dealership in India. In an attempt to capture a wider audience and increase its brand awareness, the company has not only concentrated on metro cities, but also Tier-2 cities like Jaipur, Indore, Nagpur and Hubli among others. While the company hasn’t been very successful with its Hyosung’s venture, this announcement of a new plant indicates that the company might have some new trick up its sleeve.
