Suzuki Motorcycles India is planning to make use of Maruti Suzuki's widespread dealership network in the country. This would help the company to improve its sales and services. Suzuki Motorcycles will sell its motorbikes through 25 Maruti Suzuki outlets. Both the companies will also share suppliers for common components.
Satoshi Uchida, managing director, Suzuki Motorcycles India, said, “As a conscious effort, we are trying to get good Maruti Suzuki car dealers on board to sell our two-wheelers. Many of them are excited to sell our superbikes like Hayabusa.” He added, “Same set of vendors can be used for many components to bring costs down.”
Uchida said some executives from Maruti Suzuki are also on deputation at the motorcycle wing of the company in key roles like plant production and purchase. In recent years, Suzuki Motorcycle’s corporate office has also shifted to the same building in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj where Maruti Suzuki is headquartered.
Incepted independently in India close to a year ago after breaking ties with TVS, Suzuki Motorcycles has invested around Rs 3,000 crore in the country’s two-wheeler market. However, the company has consistently managed meek returns over the years.
Though delayed, the imminent tie-up with India’s largest carmaker could just be what the doctor ordered for Suzuki Motorcycles India. Currently, Maruti Suzuki’s dealership network is spread across almost 1,500 Indian cities, with the total outlet number set to cross 2,000 by the year 2020.
Source: ZigWheels.com
