DSK Motowheels to launch Keeway Blackster and Benelli TNT 250 in India by July 2015

DSK Motowheels has already unveiled the Benelli Tornado Naked Tre range of motorcycles which are going to be launched in India soon. The DSK Benelli's Indian product portfolio includes the TNT 302 (BN 302), TNT 600i (BN 600i), TNT 600GT (BN 600GT), TNT 899 and TNT 1130R. Now reports have emerged that the company is also bringing the TNT 250 (BN 251) and Keeway Blackster in India by July 2015.

In an interview with Autocar Professional, Mr. Shirish Kulkarni, chairman, DSK Benelli, said, “We plan to bring the Blackster and the TNT250 for homologation by March-April 2015, and roll out the two models by July 2015 or later. All the models would come in completely knocked down kits and will be assembled at our Wai facility to begin with.”

Benelli TNT 250 is the latest entry-level-performance motorcycle with naked sport styling and powered by a 250cc, single-cylinder engine. The bike delivers 24.2bhp of maximum power at 9,000rpm and a peak torque of 21Nm at 7,000rpm. It has an aggressive appearance with a bold headlight, masculine 16.5-L fuel tank and partially naked space frame. Keeway is a two-wheeler brand belongs to a Chinese conglomerate called the Qianjiang Group (QJ Group). It is the same group that also owns the Italian brand- Benelli. Keeway Blackster is a 250cc cruiser with a fusion of modern and classic aesthetics in styling. The bike has been designed for a comfortable ride and it is powered by a quarter-litre V-twin, delivering 19bhp and 18.7Nm of top power and torque respectively.

Currently, DSK is assembling upto 10 Hyosung motorcycles per day under single shift at its Wai facility in Maharashtra. Now, the company is planning to double the shift to cope up with the demand of both the Hyosung and the upcoming Benelli motorcycles soon. Mr. Kulkarni told, “While a greenfield plant is in the foresight, it is still at least two years away. We are yet to home in on a location for the same, and it is too early to make any comment in this regard. However, we are planning to build a facility with an annual assembly capacity of 100,000 units. It will essentially be an assembly facility but depending on how the talks progress (between DSK Group and the officials at QJ Group), we might also have a full-fledged production line in place at the same planned facility.”

“We are currently selling an average of 70 units of the Aquila 250 cruisers and 55 units of the GT250R per month. Further, the GT650R along with the popular Aquila 650 model do 70 units per month for us. The quarter-litre segment is obviously the best-selling segment for us as of now,” He added further. The company is planning to sell the Benelli bikes via separate dealerships across the country. It is expected to inaugurate around 9 dealerships by February, covering all the major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Chandigarh.

Source: Autocar Professional