JS Auto gives Vikram a run for its money

JS Auto's runaway success in three-wheeler products has given long-established Vikram, a product of Scooters India Ltd, a run for its money.

And, industry circles say this has given some new ideas to LML. JS Auto is a former ancillary of LML, which started production when the LML factory ceased production in January.

Since February, it has sold about 1,200-1,300 three-wheelers, locally known as Tempo. This month, it sold about 300 and from next month, "we are planning to produce about 500 a month. At this rate it will give the company a first-year turnover of about Rs 50 crore," said its promoter and director Praveen Puri.

He told Business Standard it would depend on demand. If it increased, the firm would step up production further, he added.

The company has managed to challenge the dominance of Scooters India Ltd's Vikram, a three-wheeler, which has been the main passenger vehicle, generally, used within the city commuting for the last 20 years. Puri said where both were selling about 150 vehicles each a month.

Further, sales will depend on the release of permits. In Kanpur, the permits of 2,500-3,000 three-wheeler operators will expire by February-March next year and then the sales in the city will stop. "We will have to find new markets," said Puri.

Asked if he received any collaboration offer from LML in making three-wheelers, Puri said Lalit Kumar Singhania, director of the company, wanted to see "our" products.

"I had gone to the factory to show him the three-wheeler. However, no such proposal was ever mooted or discussed," he said.

JS Auto's success is being attributed to better seating and breadth of the vehicle than Vikram's.

The firm has base in UP only. "Our plans to shift production to Uttaranchal are on," he said.

(This is an updated version of the story that appeared first on December 27,2006)