New Delhi, March 3
Dewan Motorcycles Ltd, the first major domestic manufacturer of bikes in Pakistan, has dared Indian bike manufacturers on their home turf. It has announced to bring motorcycles in India shortly through the joint venture route.
The company, that had started its operations in Pakistan, just a year ago, has claimed that it is finalising a joint venture with an Indian auto manufacturer. Dewan two-wheelers, produced with Japanese and Chinese technology, will be priced at a much lower rate as against higher price of Indian competitors.
Mr Badar Khan, Chief Coordinatoring Officer, Dewan Motorcycles Ltd, disclosed that the company was at present holding talks with an Indian company and would soon launch its bikes in India. He, however, declined to name its Indian partner, saying it could affect their business interests. The company is showcasing its bikes in the “Made in Pakistan” exhibition that was inaugurated in the Capital today. Mr Khan said, ''We have observed that there is a huge potential for quality bikes with better fuel efficiency in the price-sensitive Indian market. Due to our lower cost of production, we will be able to sell 65cc scooty at Rs 18,000, 70cc bike at Rs 25,000 and a 125cc bike at around Rs 40,000 in the Indian market.”
He said besides foreign players like Honda and Yamaha, the Dewan Motors had emerged as a major domestic player in Pakistan over the past one year.
“During the first year of our operations, we have sold over 24,000 bikes in the domestic market. Now we plan to aggressively sell our bikes in the SAARC countries, including India,” he said.
Mr Khan admitted that against the huge market of over 5 million bikes annually in India, Pakistan market is just 5 lakh bikes annually. “ Like India, the motorbike market has grown substantially in Pakistan from about 1lakh annually two years ago to 5 lakh in 2002-03. We are increasing our production capacity to tap the domestic and export market,” he stated.
What is this............ :D!!