There is a news doing the rounds about the Hero Honda’s intention of launching a new dirt bike of 180cc during the festive season. This is apparently going to be a complete import and will be priced at around 1.5 lakhs, a price point that is difficult to believe given the import duties on CBUs and CKD assemblies. It is also being said that the news emanating from the Registrar of Companies’ office is that Hero Honda has applied for a name change to Hero MotoCorp and that the new dirt bike will be the first offering under the new brand. Further rumours suggest that the dirt bike launch will be followed by the launch of a 100cc and a 125cc motorcycles as well.
Yearly Archives: 2011
India Yamaha Motor has registered a sales growth of 58.7% in its domestic market in May 2011 with a sale of 27,959 units vs. 17,614 units sold last year. The export figures stood at 10,853 units in May 2011 while 7,419 motorcycles were exported in May 2010. The overall sales stood at 38,812 units in May, 2011 vs. 25,033 units in May, 2010, a growth of 55%.
Yamaha upbeat about the Indian market
Registers domestic sales growth of 58.7%
New Delhi, 1st June, 2011: Buoyed by new product offerings and novel marketing initiatives, India Yamaha Motor has registered a sales growth of 58.7% in its domestic market in May 2011 with a sale of 27,959 units vs.17,614 units sold last year. The export figures stood at 10,853 units in May 2011 while 7,419 motorcycles were exported in May 2010. The overall sales stood at 38,812 units in May, 2011 vs. 25,033 units in May, 2010, a growth of 55%.
Speaking on the results, Mr. Hiroyuki Suzuki, CEO & MD, India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are seeing good sales growth this year and expect the momentum to continue for the rest of the year. Our recently launched refreshing FZ series has got a great response from our esteemed customers and our SZ series is helping us equally in boosting our sales in their respective segments. This is the direct results of efforts we have been making to connect with our target customers through various marketing initiatives like the Sales and Service camps, Yamaha Fiesta, R15 One Make Race Championships and other youth centric sports events that directly relate to their interests and passion in life.”
The brand has also set its eyes on the game of Football as it has exclusively organized the Yamaha ASEAN CUP U-13 Football 2011 for the first time in India. The tournament was being held from May 15 – 28, 2011 and witnessed participation from 120 players & 8 teams from Pune, Nagpur, Kerala, Kolkata and Assam. The Tournament winner- Team Kolkata will be representing India at the third Yamaha ASEAN Cup U-13 Football Finals to be held in Thailand from July 15-17, 2011. The participants will comprise of 6 teams from 5 Asian countries namely- India, Thailand (2), Indonesia, Vietnam & Malaysia.
About India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd.
Yamaha made its initial foray into India in 1985. In August 2001, Yamaha India became a 100% subsidiary of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd, Japan (YMC). In 2008, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. entered into an agreement with YMC to become a joint-investor in the motorcycle manufacturing company “India Yamaha Motor Private Limited (IYM)”.
IYM operates from its state-of-the-art manufacturing units at Surajpur in Uttar Pradesh and Faridabad in Haryana and produces motorcycles both for domestic & export markets. With a strong workforce of more than 2,000 employees, IYM is highly customer-driven and has a countrywide network of over 400 dealers. Presently, its product portfolio includes VMAX (1,679cc), MT01 (1,670cc), YZF-R1 (998cc), FZ1 (998cc), Fazer (153cc), FZ-S (153cc), FZ16 (153cc), SZ, SZ-X & SZ-R (153cc), YZF-R15 (150cc), SS125 (123cc), YBR 125 (123cc), YBR 110 (106cc) and Crux (106cc).
Yamaha is back again to enthrall the racing enthusiasts with the Yamaha R15 One Make Race Championship – 2011 at the Madras Motor Race Track in Chennai. The racing event is part of the Indian National Racing Championship 2011 being organized by Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC) and the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI).
The 5 round championship kick starts from 4th June, 2011 and will conclude on 2nd October, 2011. Each round will have separate races for Novice & Expert categories. The races will be held at Madras Motor Race Track, Chennai and the Kari Motor Speedway, Coimbatore.
Round 1 to commence on 4th June at the Madras Motor Race Track
Delhi, May 31, 2011: After the previous successful seasons of the R15 One Make Race, Yamaha is back again to enthrall the racing enthusiasts with the Yamaha R15 One Make Race Championship – 2011 at the Madras Motor Race Track in Chennai. The racing event is part of the Indian National Racing Championship 2011 being organized by Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC) and the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI).
The 5 round championship kick starts from 4th June, 2011 and will conclude on 2nd October, 2011. Each round will have separate races for Novice & Expert categories. The races will be held at Madras Motor Race Track, Chennai and the Kari Motor Speedway, Coimbatore.
Like the previous years, this year too, the event will be open to all Yamaha as well as non-Yamaha customers thereby offering them an opportunity to stir their racing instincts on Yamaha’s flagship model – the YZF-R15. Participants are sure to have a thrilling experience as the competition bikes would be modified with Daytona Racing Kit. These kits are developed using valuable experience gained from MotoGP & World Superbike racing and are designed exclusively for racing purposes in a closed circuit.
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Hiroyuki Suzuki, CEO & MD, India Yamaha Motor said, “Motor Sports is an integral part of our Brand Image. It has always been Yamaha’s endeavor to promote motor sports along with safe biking. There are thousands of our customers who want to participate in these events for the love of the sport & thrill. This also gives us the opportunity to come closer to our consumers as they get to experience the true racing instinct of YZF-R15. The event has seen huge participation in its previous editions and we surely hope to witness the same this year.”
All the riders participating in Yamaha R15 One Make Race Championship will be evaluated on the basis of their performance. The 3 best performing riders may be given a chance to participate in the “YAMAHA ASEAN CUP RACE” in Thailand later in 2011.
The technology in YZF-R15 has percolated from R1 (Delta box frame/ Fuel Injection/ 6 speed gearbox/ styling/ Liquid Cooled 4V engine). Just like R1, it is light weight, has power-on-demand, besides having centralized mass, stopping power, aerodynamics, ergonomics and stability/ rigidity, among others. It also has the controllability and maneuverability to maximize riding/ cornering/ braking performance.
Yamaha’s corporate culture has always given special importance to bike racing in India. It is a way of expressing the ‘spirit of challenge’ that Yamaha values highly. Through the R15 Championship which is one of the biggest initiatives by Yamaha, the company aspires to take racing culture to new heights in India. Yamaha plans to continue this championship as a valuable step for carrying forward the racing legacy in the country.
About India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd.
Yamaha made its initial foray into India in 1985. In August 2001, Yamaha India became a 100% subsidiary of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd, Japan (YMC). In 2008, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. entered into an agreement with YMC to become a joint-investor in the motorcycle manufacturing company “India Yamaha Motor Private Limited (IYM)”.
IYM operates from its state-of-the-art manufacturing units at Surajpur in Uttar Pradesh and Faridabad in Haryana and produces motorcycles both for domestic & export markets. With a strong workforce of more than 2,000 employees, IYM is highly customer-driven and has a countrywide network of over 400 dealers. Presently, its product portfolio includes VMAX (1,679cc), MT01 (1,670cc), YZF-R1 (998cc), FZ1 (998cc), Fazer (153cc), FZ-S (153cc), FZ16 (153cc), SZ, SZ-X & SZ-R (153cc), YZF-R15 (150cc), SS125 (123cc), YBR 125 (123cc), YBR 110 (106cc) and Crux (106cc).
After two exciting weeks of football fever, the Yamaha ASEAN Cup U-13 Football concluded amidst fun and celebration. Team Kolkata walked away as the champions along with the opportunity to represent India in the third Yamaha ASEAN Cup U-13 Football Finals to be held in Thailand from July 15, 2011 to July 17, 2011. The event was attended by Mr. Hiroyuki Suzuki- CEO & MD, Mr. Jun Nakata- Director- Sales & Marketing and Mr. Roy Kurian- National Business Head, India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd.
Ducati made a mockery of its non-factory status by locking the podium and completely sabotaging rest of the field during race 1 of Miller Park action. King Carlos capped off an extremely strong start to the weekend with a superb win and extended his championship lead to 46 points. Smrz and Guintoli on the EL Ducati sandwiched him on the podium. All the three thoroughly deserved the place on the rostrum today.
Flying in the face of convention, satellite bikes were triumphant in their attack on factory outfits as the major names either slid off to the mud or were vying for a spot down the order. An incident involving Rea and Biaggi ended in the mud as cameras could not capture the action but Rea’s gestures meant Biaggi was to be blamed. Castrol Honda’s remaining traces of hope came crashing down when Xaus took down Fabrizio on the Suzuki.
Despite starting from the front row, factory Yamahas made a jittery start and fell down the order, a slump from which Melandri would not recover, but Laverty settled for fifth after engaging in a battle for second eventually losing out to the Ducatis and Camier’s Aprilia.
BMW, in its true erratic tradition, blasted past others with Corser on board to take lead and held on to it briefly as the lights went off before finishing thirteenth, a whopping 36 seconds down. While the prominent names at the German garage sulked, Badovini let out whoops of joy after taking Haslam’s position by force. It was heartening to see Tom Sykes steadily working his way past Melandri, Haga and Haslam and finish sixth. Checa too got his leathers sullied after his Ducati ditched him during his trip off track during the victory lap and was finally hitched back home on Todeland’s BMW. Now, that’s friendly rivalry.
On the championship standings, Checa has stretched the lead to almost two race wins with Melandri in a distant second. Biaggi, in another wretched weekend, has plummeted to third and has almost come within Laverty’s grasp. With four riders retiring, the numbers looked akin to MotoGP’s with exactly seventeen bikes crossing the finish line but was far from boring.
Design sketches of the Mitsubishi Lancer and Lancer Evo X! We love cars like the Lancer, that can kick cars thrice the price to the moon and drag them back with all the torque. We love them more, when they also manage to look good. The Lancer is one such car with awesome stance, and a gaping grill that conveys it intent to feed on smaller cars and jaywalking pedestrians.
Mitsubishi Lancer
Sketches of the Lancer Evolution X, known as the Prototype X when these design sketches were unveiled sometime in 2006.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
Unveiled to the public at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, Special Projects Ferrari Superamerica 45, a unique one off was commissioned by private collector Peter Kalikow to celebrate 45 years since he first became a Ferrari client. The Supermerica 45 was styled internally by Ferrari Design and engineered and built in house. Peter Kalikow a New York billionaire, real estate tycoon and former owner of the New York Post also owns another coachbuilt Ferrari made by Pininfarina, the 612 Kappa.
The Ferrari Superamerica 45 is based on the 599 GTB Firano. Embedded below is a video showing the action of the carbon-fibre rotating hard-top which incorporates a rear screen and a rotating mechanism similar to the that adopted on the 575-based Superamerica.The boot had to be redesigned entirely to accommodate the roof when open.
Kalikow has the car finished in an exclusive Blu Antille color, to go with his 1961 400 Superamerica cabriolet nr. 2331SA. The rich do get their way!
Design cues distinguishing it from the 599’s would be twin air vents on the front wings, the rear buttresses that flow into the rear wheel arches and incorporate the rear quarter lights, and body coloured wheels with a contrasting diamond finish to the spokes. The Ferrari Superamerica 45 also features a specific chromed front grille and special burnished aluminium A-pillars, wing mirrors and door handles.
The interior is another area of exquisite personalisation, with a carefully selected combination of Cuoio leather trim and Blu Scuro carbon fibre details and a latest-generation touch-screen infotainment system.
Blue Antille it maybe, but all we’re feeling right now is the color of envy.
NEW FERRARI SPECIAL PROJECTS ONE-OFF TO DEBUT AT VILLA D’ESTE
Maranello, 19 May 2011 – New York collector and Ferrari enthusiast Peter Kalikow visited the factory to take delivery of his Special Projects Ferrari Superamerica 45, a unique one-off model. Styled internally by Ferrari Design and engineered and built in-house, the car was specified by Mr Kalikow to celebrate 45 years since he first became a Ferrari client and will make its public debut on the 20th of May at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza.
The design is bespoke, featuring a carbon-fibre rotating hard-top which incorporates a rear screen. The boot is entirely new to house the roof when open, and is now in carbon-fibre with a design optimised to reduce drag and increase rear downforce.
The rear buttresses are body-coloured, integral with the rear wheelarches, and incorporate rear quarterlights. The side view is further distinguished by double air vents on the front wing. The Ferrari Superamerica 45 also features a specific chromed front grille and special burnished aluminium A-pillars, wing mirrors and door handles.
The Superamerica 45 is finished in an exclusive Blu Antille, a colour that matches another important car in the client’s collection – a 1961 400 Superamerica cabriolet nr. 2331SA. The wheels are body-coloured with a contrasting diamond finish to the spokes. The roof and other carbon-fibre elements of the bodywork – front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser – are in a special contrasting darker blue, a theme that is carried over to the cockpit which features dark blue carbon-fibre dash trim and driver zone.
The interior is another area of exquisite personalisation, with a carefully selected combination of Cuoio leather trim and Blu Scuro carbon fibre details and a latest-generation touch-screen infotainment system.
It is believed that despite Lewis Hamilton apologizing to the stewards of the GP of Monaco about his outburst against fellow drivers, the stewards and Formula1 officials, the FIA could still be considering action against him on the grounds that he brought the sport to disrepute not only by commenting unfavourably about all of the above mentioned in public but also for bringing in the racial discrimination angle even though he claims it was jocular. However, there is no confirmation of the same by the FIA as yet.
Marco Simoncelli has been summoned by MotoGP race direction to appear before it prior to the commencement of the the GP of Catalunya to discuss the crash that involved him and Dani Pedrosa at the previous outing at Le Mans. This is surprising considering the fact that three weeks would have elapsed before Simoncelli presents himself before Paul Butler and other members of the MotoGP race direction. This is being seen as a result of Simoncelli’s protestations of no wrong doing and accusing the race direction of handing him a penalty only because people were saying things against him prior to the race. Not good news for Simoncelli.
Carlos Checa on the Althea Ducati swept to victory in both the races of the World Superbikes at the Miller Motorsport Park. This victory was widely anticipated since Checa and the Ducati are known to show a good turn of speed here. Jakub Smrz and Sylvain Guintoli both on Ducatis of Team Effenbert Liberty finished second and third in the first race. In the second race the second and third places went to Leon Camier and Max Biaggi on the Alitalia Aprilias which are the works machines.