Yamaha to announce electric 2 wheeler

Japanese auto giant Yamaha said it might consider the launch of electric Yamaha bikes in the fast growing Indian two-wheeler market. The launch will be in a bid to offer an alternative mode of transportation. Yamaha India will certainly be benefitted from the same.

Yamaha Motor, the company's wholly-owned subsidiary, is also developing an India-specific scooter that will hit the roads in the near future. Additionally it will launch two new bikes in the country in this year.

Commenting on the developments, India Yamaha Bikes Director (Sales and Marketing) Jun Nakata said, "For rising fuel prices, electric bike is a good option. Currently we are selling electric bikes in Japan and Europe. There is a possibility for the Indian market for introducing these products”. He did not share details like specifications and when the firm was likely to launch the products in India.

The company announced last year that it would focus more on India with more investments and an aim to have 10 per cent of its total global sales from the country within the next 3-4 years. When questioned about its plans for the scooter segment, Nakata said, "We are preparing to enter the scooter market. The product is under development in Japan and it will be an India-specific product." He said the firm was consolidating its position in the 150cc segment.

Yamaha India has two facilities in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, and has a combined installed production capacity of 6 lakh units a year which may be scaled up to 10 lakh units every year.