GS150R!!! 150cc bike from Suzuki

Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan, on Thursday launched a new bike, GS150R, marking its entry into the highly competitive 150cc market segment. The company plans to invest an additional Rs. 150 crore by 2010 on capacity expansion and new product launches. Priced at Rs. 59,000 (ex-showroom), the motorcycle has been specially designed to fulfil conflicting demands of acceleration and fuel efficiency. “It can give the mileage of about 50 km a litre in city conditions. The bike will be available in the market in January next.

Mahindra plans 2 Wheeler ride with Kinetic Motor

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), one of India’s leading automotive companies, announced that its Board of Directors has approved the acquisition of business assets of Pune-based Kinetic Motor Company Ltd. (KMCL). The acquisition will
be done through a New Company to be formed. (New Co). The consideration for the acquisition is a sum of Rs. 110 crores (subject to closing due diligence) plus 20 percent stake to KMCL in the New Co. M&M will hold the balance 80 per cent of the equity.

Kinetic Motor Co. Ltd. to retain 20 per cent stake in new company. The acquisition of business assets of KMCL is a defining moment in the history of Mahindra as it will give us an opportunity to emerge as a full range player with a presence in almost every segment of the automobile industry. KMCL is a strategic fit with our overall two-wheeler strategy. The strong in-house design and development competencies provided by Mahindra Engineering Services (MES) and the recent acquisition of Italy-based design house, Engines Engineering, coupled with KMCL’s expertise will enable us to assume a significant position in the rapidly growing Indian and global two-wheeler market. I am also delighted to announce that Mr. Anoop Mathur, President Designate, Two-Wheeler Sector, will spearhead this new venture” said Mr. Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra Group

Gliding smoothly at 200km per litre of petrol

A petrol engine four-wheeler with a mileage of about 200 km per litre? The claim may sound incredulous, but that is precisely what a group of Bangalore college students have accomplished.

The students of the mechanical engineering department of Rashtriya Vidyalalya Colllege of Engineering have designed and built a super fuel-efficient car which they claim addresses issues such as oil crisis, environmental pollution and need for green technologies. This is their first step towards eventual participation in the SAE Supermileage International Competition in the US and Shell Eco-Marathon, in the UK. Akhila Thyli Hemanth chats with their team leader Nishant Sarawgi.

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Honda launches CBF Stunner

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI), the 100 per cent two-wheeler subsidiary of Japan’s Honda Motor Company, on Monday launched its new bike ‘CBF Stunner’. Targeted at youth, the new 125cc motorcycle, with 11 bhp engine and five-speed transmission that comes in three variants, has been priced between Rs. 47,070 and Rs. 51,655 (ex-showroom, Delhi). After Shine, its HMSIs second entry to the 125 CC segment, the fastest growing and contributing almost 25% of the total motorcyle market. Honda plans to sell 80,000 units of this bike this fiscal and even launch two to three new models this year.

The Stunner will compete with Bajaj’s XCD, the cheapest bike in the 125 CC segment, Hero Honda’s Super Splendour, TVS’s Flame and Yamaha’s Gladiator. But unlike Bajaj, HMSI doesnt want to give up on the 100 CC segment all together. It plans to launch a bike in this category next year to eat into hero Honda’s share.