"The lack of retail finance is a hindrance to sales"

Font Size

Print

Feedback

Email

Discuss

Related Articles

‘People still prefer piracy to paying for world ci...

: Fresh from the successful launch of the Apache RTR 180 and the Flame SR125, TVS Motor Company is looking to establish itself as a serious contender in the competitive and rapidly evolving performance bike segment in India. The company posted 5% growth in May 2009, registering total two-wheeler sales of 1,18,574 units against 1,12,770 units in the corresponding period of the previous year. The ongoing economic slowdown in some countries continues to affect its exports, which registered sales of 11,135 units of two-wheelers in May 2009 against 14,071 units in the corresponding period of the previous year. The company, however, witnessed a growth of 10% in exports over the previous month. In this interview to FE’s Malabika Sarkar and Alokananda Chakraborty, HS Goindi, president, marketing, TVS Motor Company, India’s third largest two-wheeler maker, talks about the company’s new products and research and development investments. He is hopeful that TVS will record double-digit growth in the current fiscal.

A four-year-old four-wheeler is available today at the price of a new motorbike. Where do you see the Indian two-wheeler market going from here?

Used four-wheelers have been around for a while, but have not taken the place and cannot replace a two-wheeler. The two-wheeler rider is predominantly from the middle class who looks for mileage, easy manoeuvrability and low-maintenance costs. The two-wheeler remains as the primary means of personal transportation. While the consumer may use a four-wheeler for the weekend when he takes his family out, his daily mode of transport will remain the two-wheeler.

Two-wheeler sales in the country have been growing this year and the buoyant economic growth is expected to propel growth further. The industry has been clocking growing numbers year-on-year. We expect this growth curve to remain healthy. The operating costs are lower for two-wheelers.

In March 2008, TVS forayed into the three-wheeler market with King, crossing swords with market leader Bajaj Auto. How has TVS measured up to the challenge?