TVS to re-launch Victor; four products in 2012

Chennai-based two-wheeler maker TVS Motor Company today announced to re-launch its one of the

RELATED ARTICLES TVS Q4 net profit jumps 31% to Rs 57.23 cr Bajaj Auto Q4 net dips 45% at Rs 772 cr Honda launches its cheapest motorbike Dream Yuga HMSI sales up 45% in April TVS unveils Apache variants

best selling motorcycles 'Victor' in India in December, besides introducing three more products in 2012.

The company that has earmarked a capex of Rs 125 crore for 2012-13 is also mulling to increase its overall production capacity to about 32 lakh units annually by 2013-14, for which it may invest an additional sum of up to Rs 160 crore.

"Victor is making a comeback. It was good brand for us and its brand equity is still very strong," TVS Motor Company President (Marketing) H S Goindi told reporters at the 11th Auto Expo here.

TVS had discontinued the Victor four years back and was replaced by Centra.

"At that point of time, we thought of trying out a new model, but now we believe that Victor still has a lot of customer demand," he said.

The 125cc Victor will be among the four models that are planned to hit the Indian roads this year, Goindi said.

"We will also launch another 125cc bike and a 125cc scooter in 2012," he added.

The company will also launch another scooter, he said without sharing details.

Besides, TVS Motor Company will also unveil and test market a hybrid scooter 'Qube' from June this year that will be commercially launched in 2013.

"The hybrid scooter is expected to be priced around Rs 60,000-Rs 70,000," Goindi said.

Commenting on future product plans, he said: "TVS is working on a motorcycle of engine capacity between 250cc and 300cc. It may take 18-24 months to launch."

The company also plans to enter the diesel segment of three-wheelers in the next 12-18 months, he added.

When asked about production capacity, Goindi said: "Our current capacity is around 28 lakh units, but when we have these new models coming up, we need extra. We expect the capacity to go up between 31 lakh and 32 lakh units annually by 2013-14."

The investment on the capacity increase could be around Rs 150 crore-Rs 160 crore, he added.

TVS Motor's total sales in December 2011 had marginally declined to 1,70,428 units in form 171,790 units in December 2010.

Total two-wheeler sales also fell at 167,905 units last month compared to 168,359 units in the same month in 2010.