Top Motorcycle Makers Take Aim at India

Japan's top motorcycle makers, Suzuki Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co., and Yamaha Motor Co., are stepping up activity to fight off competition from local rivals in India.

Suzuki has stayed out of the India market for four years but has jumped back in with a 125cc and a new 150cc model.

Honda owns a 26% stake in Hero Honda Motors Ltd. The company will build a new plant on the outskirts of New Delhi. This plant coupled with its wholly owned India subsidiary, plans to turn out about 7 million motorbikes annually.

Yamaha, will bolster its 125cc motorcyles aimed at the wealthy and young customers.

India's motorcycle market grew 13% in 2005. The country has 10 times as many motorcycles as Japan does, but still is second to China in number of motorbikes overall.

Japan's motorcycle makers don't care who buys their products….India, China or Japan….as long as they keep selling.

Have you ever ridden a Japanese motorcycle?