TVS-BMW’s first technology co-operation agreement bike will be a 300cc one

TVS-BMW’s Technology Co-operation Agreement for the development and manufacture sub-500cc bikes in India will commence soon as we learn that the first-bike, codenamed as K03, will be ready to be launched in the early days of calendar year 2016. TVS will showcase the K03 at the 2016 Auto Expo.

The 300cc bike has been undergoing extensive testing in Germany and now the bike is in the final phase of tests.

This will be the first 300cc bike for TVS and it will be coming in multiple avatars like naked, full fairing etc in the later stage. Initially, it will be launched as a naked bike. The single-cylinder 300cc engine will be the smallest engine in the BMW portfolio. The bike will be manufactured in India and exported as a BMW and sold in India as a TVS. It will be exported from India to other countries.

BMW could also be looking at selling this bike in India as the 300cc bike segment is heating up.

There is already the Ninja 300 and Benelli has recently entered this market too. If BMW introduces this bike, it will priced at INR 2.2 lakhs (on-road), while TVS will sell it about INR 1.9 lakhs (on-road). BMW will also be keen to get in this segment and boost its sales volumes. BMW already has a 650cc engine to get into the Ninja 650 segment. With the BMW badge, it will hold a lot more premium value over the competition. At the moment, there are no plans for expansion or increasing the number of Motorrad dealerships in India. At the moment, there are about three BMW Motorrad dealers all across the country. BMW is looking at getting into several new segments as it is also looking at developing a scrambler bike too.

TVS launches for 2015

For TVS, it will be their first bike in excess of 180cc. So, it will be a win-win for both TVS and BMW. For this year, TVS will be launching the new TVS Apache and the Victor.

There will be a Scooty Pep refresh too in 2015.

Image Courtesy: Riding Apart