Yamaha launches Bike Station

In a bid to capture 10% market share in the domestic motorcycle market, Yamaha Motor India today inaugurated its lifestyle store 'Bike Station' in the country.

Apart from selling motorcycles, apparels and accessories, Bike Stations would also provide an ambit of services such as video games, internet surfing, music and coffee bars, Yamaha said in a statement.

The company is planning to open 10 such stores in various parts of the country by the end of current year in the first phase and in the second phase, plans to convert more than 50% of its existing 400 dealers into such concept stores.

"The opening of these stores is a part of our strategy to biking lifestyle culture in India," Yamaha Motors India Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Takahiro Maeda told reporters here.

When asked about investment for opening such store, Takahiro said the company's proposed investment of Rs 800 crore in India included the opening such stores in the country.

"We are targeting a 10% market share in the domestic market as this volume is the minimum needed to exist in the market," he added.

The company is planning to launch four new bikes in 2008 and these bikes would be launched in a phased manner.

Gladiator Type SS and RS (125 cc) would be launched in the month of February, YZF-R15 (150 cc liquid cooled) in the middle of the year and FZ (150 cc, air cooled) during festival season in November.