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Luxury on two wheels

Dream wheel Ducati

Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati has launched its bikes for the Indian two-wheeler market. Ducati plans to sell its dream machines at a premium over its Japanese rivals, with prices starting at Rs 15 lakh, going up to Rs 50 lakh including India n import duties and local taxes. Models for India will include the new 1098, 848, Monster 696 and the 1100cc Hypermotard. Ducati hopes to sell about 50 motorcycles in the country in its debut year. Ducati has homologated the Monster 696 for the Indian market, while other motorcycles with engine capacities over 800cc are exempted from homologation in India.

According to Gabriele Del Torchio of Ducati Motor Holding, “The reason why we are entering the India is to prepare ourselves for the growth here. In the coming three years, our numbers will be negligible. But from 2011,, we expect a huge improvement in terms of numbers. We are currently doing around 40,000 units per year.” Speaking at the launch, Ashish Chordia, CEO, Precision Motor India, the sole distributor in India for Ducati, said that he felt the Hypermotard and the 848 hold strong potential in India. The 848 is priced at Rs 21.8 lakh while the Hypermotard will sell at 20.8 lakh.

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