TVS Motor Company, on Monday, launched its all-new motorcycle StaR City+ at an aggressive price of Rs.44,000 (ex-showroom, New Delhi) with a promise of very high mileage. The new launch is aimed at beefing up its presence in the mileage-conscious commuter segment.
StaR City+, which will sport a new 110cc Eco Thrust engine and incorporate many first-time features, promises a fuel economy of 86 kmpl (kilo metre per litre), among the highest for commuter segment bikes.
The new bike intends to attract people in the age group of 25-35 years in urban and semi-urban locations, where motorcycles with on-road mileage of over 60 kmpl are preferred.
“We have been largely absent in the commuter segment except in the low-end of the category. We need to be a big player. StaR City+ is the first of the two launches we have planned. In the next four months, our all-new Victor will be launched, and that will complete our offerings in the commuter segment,” Venu Srinivasan, Chairman & Managing Director, TVS Motor Company, said at the launch.
With StaR City+, the company intends to increase the sales from 25,000-30,000 units to about 50,000 units a month in six month’s time. Total industry volume in commuter segment is estimated at about 595,000 units a month.
Mr. Srinivasan also said the company would have regular and consistent launch of new models. There would be at least one new launch every quarter going forward. Its upcoming new launches for the current fiscal will be Zest (110cc scooter), Victor (110cc bike) and Apache.
Updating on its tie-up with BMW for sub-500cc bikes, he said the first bike from the joint venture would be ready by the second-half of 2015-16. “It's a brand new platform, designed from the scratch. BMW has been working on to ensure highest quality in the bikes,” he added.
About Rs.150 crore is expected to be invested in the venture, which was announced jointly by the two companies in April 2013 to design and sell bikes in 200-500cc category.
