Ducati launches Monster 797 & Multistrada 950, Aims To Double Numbers In India
Ducati India Pvt. Ltd. has launched the Monster 797 and Multistrada 950 models in India, priced at Rs. 7.77 lakh and Rs. 12.6 lakh respectively (ex-showroom Delhi). The two heavyweight motorcycles are new variants in the sports (Monster) and adventure (Multistrada) segments which already have the 1200 cc engine variant on sale in India. Both the products were first showcased at EICMA 2016 and are being brought into the country via the CBU route from Italian bikemaker's facility in Thailand. The company will kick off the deliveries for these models from 1st July, 2017. Along with these new model additions, Ducati now has a range of 19 products in the country.
Ducati India’s Managing Director Ravi Avalur stated, “Both these motorcycles are gateways to the Ducati world and its values. This is a major step towards the growth of Ducati’s product range in India. With the launch of these motorcycles, Ducati India will be well positioned to compete across price points. With this we will rapidly increase our share of the relevant segment of the Indian big bike market.”
While the Monster 797 is equipped with a BS-IV air-cooled 803cc engine, the Multistrada 950 is powered by a 937cc engine. While the former is equipped with various features like LED lights and an LCD screen, the later has Ducati safety pack that includes braking system, ABS and traction control.
With the addition of the new models and a growing dealership network, the company has delivered 580 motorcycles in 2016 and hopes to nearly double the number during this year. It has registered an 18% increase in sales during 2016, passing the significant milestone of 1000 Ducatis sold in India. Having expanded its network now to six dealerships in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Cochin and Ahmedabad, the brand is planning to open three more dealerships at Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad this year. On plans for assembly operations in the country, Avalur said, "We currently import bikes as CBUs mainly from Thailand and that makes business senses for us as India has a free trade agreement with that country."
The Indian arm of the Italian superbike maker is also gearing up to roll out 3 models i.e. Desert Sledge, Café Racer and Supersport during this calendar year.
When queried about plans to go below 750cc or consider Ducati Scrambler Sixty2, Avalur maintained, “Right now, our focus remains on the heavyweight segment and we have not thought much about the middleweight segment. As regarding Scrambler series, that (400cc version) is not on our current plans as we want to restrict ourselves with the current range.”
Meanwhile, the Diavel Dark and Carbon continue to be volumes puller accounting for 17% of total sales in 2016.
