DSK Benelli to launch 3 new bikes this fiscal

DSK Benelli is rapidly growing its market share in India and also focusing on introducing new motorcycles. Currently, the TNT 300 is one of the highest selling 300cc motorcycles in the country, and recently the Italian bike maker also launched the 302R. We spoke to the Chairman of DSK Benelli, Shirish Kulkarni, regarding future plans of the company in India.  

ZW: The TNT 300 being is one of the highest selling 300cc motorcycles in the market today. What are the company’s sales figures in this segment, and what kind of contribution is expected from the newly launched 302R?

Shirish: Currently a total of 120 units of the TNT 300 are sold every month and the 302R should make for another 60 to 80 units, giving us a total of around 180 – 200 units.

ZW: What are the plans for the next line of models i.e. the TRK 502 and the Leoncino?

Shirish: The TRK 502 has been delayed slightly since the off-road version is still in the works. The on-road version is ready but we are looking at the off-road adventure version for the Indian market. The Leoncino, on the other hand, is going to be an on-road version.

ZW: In 2016 DSK Benelli sold 4500 units and your current target for 2017-18 fiscal year is 6000 units, what all models have you considered in setting up this target?

Shirish: The target of 6000 units is kept in mind considering the TNT 300, TNT 600i, TNT 600GT, the newly launched 302R and the Leoncino. If we manage to bring the TRK 502 by Auto Expo then that too shall add to this count, but nevertheless, this target is set without considering the TRK 502 in the product portfolio.

ZW: Are the TNT 899 and TNT R discontinued? If not when can we expect to see them and will there be any further changes apart from the meeting Euro 4 norms.

Shirish: No, the 899 and 1130 aren’t discontinued, they will go on sale with Euro 4 engines from either the 1st or the 2nd quarter of 2018. Apart from this, the TNT 899 will also receive some updates.

ZW: During the launch, you mentioned that the biggest market right now is in the 200cc – 500cc segment. So apart from the current offerings, what other categories are you planning to enter into, within that segment?

Shirish: We want to get into the retro classic category, wherein most of the other manufacturers are also planning to tap into. Royal Enfield for example, is doing excellent numbers in that category, and we are also looking at entering that pool with a classic motorcycle from Benelli, which we are planning to launch in this fiscal itself. Apart from this, we are also looking at a 250cc Leoncino, which may come by the end of 2018, but currently, it’s just on the discussion table.

ZW: In terms of reach, how many DSK Benelli dealerships are there in India today, and what are your expansion plans on that front?

Shirish: Currently we have 26 dealerships across India and our target is to establish 40 dealerships in total, by the end of this fiscal. The initial ones coming up would be in Mangalore, Kolhapur, Dehradun, Guwahati, Shillong and Aizawl.

ZW: What are your plans for IBW and Auto Expo 2018?

Shirish: We will be coming to IBW and if everything works well, then we might look at either showcasing or launching the Leoncino there. For Auto Expo, we might have the launch of either the retro bike or the TRK 502 there, but if we are able to get them sooner, then the launch will happen accordingly.

Source: ZIgWheels.com