Yamaha India to invest Rs 200 cr over 3 yrs

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GMI

Yamaha India to invest Rs 200 cr over 3 yrs - 'Several options' from global portfolio being considered for launch

BUSINESS LINE
Our Bureau
NEW DELHI

YAMAHA Motor India, which has seen a significant
drop in sales over the past few years, said it plans to invest Rs 150-200 crore over the next three years to expand capacity and launch more products to improve its market share.

"We are aiming to increase our market share from 4 per cent to 10 per cent by the end of the year. Our sales should touch 3,00,000 units by the end of the current year and one million units by 2010," said Mr H. Yanagi, CEO and Managing Director, Yamaha Motor India, on Friday.

Though he did not divulge details about the products the company will roll out, Mr Yanagi said several options from the company's global portfolio were being considered.

Yamaha plans to increase production capacity at its facilities from 4,00,000 units to 5,00,000 by next year and to one million units by around 2009.

The company invested about Rs 70 crore last year to upgrade its plants and develop new products.

"We are looking to break even in fiscal 2005 and start making profits by 2006," said Mr A.V. Srinivasan, Director (Marketing), and Executive Vice-President, Yamaha Motor India. Mr Srinivasan said that, in view of the free trade agreement between India and Thailand, the company is looking at synergies between its India and Thai operations, in terms of both components sourcing and product rollout.

This could extend to scooter launches as well in the Indian market.

"We will probably roll out our range of scooters by 2007. We are studying the market and are considering several options for the same," Mr Srinivasan said.

On Friday, Yamaha launched three variants of the 125-cc Fazer at a price of Rs 42,990-Rs 47,990.

The company has signed on actor John Abraham as its new brand ambassador and will soon come out with campaigns featuring him.

© 2005 Kasturi & Sons Ltd.