We recently heard about UM Motorcycles registering a 44 per cent growth in the second quarter of 2016. And it seems like that is only giving them the confidence to further expand in India. The company plans on bringing off-road dirt bikes and even a twin-cylinder 400cc motorcycle in the future.
The company has invested Rs 100 crore for business expansion, which includes a manufacturing facility in Kashipur, Uttarakhand. With over 75 per cent localisation, UM has competitively priced its products with the aim of getting an edge over its rivals. However, with over 3,000 bookings the company is yet to commence deliveries which was set for early August.
Nonetheless, with an eye on the upcoming emissions and ABS requirement, the company will debut a new fuel injected 280cc engine powered motorcycle equipped with ABS. Expect this future-safe motorcycle to come with a marginable price hike. Another motorcycle in the works is a Bajaj Avenger rival, it is expected to be powered by a 220cc single-cylinder cruiser and be priced competitively below the one lakh rupee mark.
Coming to the dirt bikes, UM will concentrate on building its retail service network with the cruiser segment first. According to sources, by 2018, UM intends to launch an off-road motorcycle from its international portfolio. With upside-down forks and a 21-inch front wheel, the dual purpose motorcycle look promising.
Another bike they plan for 2017 will be one of their higher capacity motorcycles. According to reports, the 400cc plus twin-cylinder motorbike will be priced below the Rs 2 lakh mark.
In other news, the company is targeting to widen its footprint to 35 countries by the end of this quarter, including 10 AESAN and 10 European countries. UM motorcycles will be making its presence felt at the 2016 Intermot Show in Cologne, Germany, by launching the Renegade, Xtreet and DSR series. It will subsequently start selling these motorcycles in Spain, Portugal, UK, Germany, France and Italy.
Source - Autocar India
