TVS Motor Co to start exports of Flame by May

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Chennai, Mar 10: TVS Motor Co plans to start exporting units of its much-talked about motorcycle model, TVS Flame, in two months’ time, said HS Goindi, senior vice-president, international business and three-wheelers, TVS Motor Co. Indicating that the company could not just wait for the decision of the court in the patent dispute with Bajaj Auto over the twin-sparkplug technology used in the earlier launch of Flame in 2007. “We are abiding by the court’s order with the launch of the new 125cc Flame with single sparkplug technology,” said a company official. Venu Srinivasan, chairman, TVS Motor Company, said, “We cannot just wait. We are making motorcycles and not twin-spark plugs.”

“One more platform for Flame has been planned this year,” added Srinivasan. Priced at Rs 46,000 (ex-showroom), Flame will be exported to countries like Sri Lanka, Latin America and Africa, among others. Currently, the company exports to around 50 markets and plans to add another 8 to 10 more to its kitty. “By 2011-12, we plan to have 35% of our revenues from exports,” said Srinivasan. TVS has lost revenues in the tune of Rs 100 crore and marketshare of about 3% due the court’s order that restrained the sale of the Flame.