Yamaha India Dealers Unhappy with YZF-R3 Supply, Avoid Keeping Stock and Test Rides

Yamaha’s recent quarter-litre weapon - YZF-R3 that went on sales quite well in its initial days is now seeing some unpleasant days. Many Yamaha dealers across India have started to avoid the bike by keeping it in stock at their dealerships and due to this, they aren’t offering test rides as well. The reason behind this is that Yamaha has imposed a target of selling 40 regular bikes on its dealers in order to get a single unit of R3.

The R3 has shown an impressive sales of 140 units in its initial month, leaving behind Kawasaki Ninja 300 and Z250 in the respective month sales. In September, the R3 showed even better sales numbers that stood at an impressive 256 units. However, we personally believe that setting such targets end up proving restrictions for a product. The result is that the R3 that showed majestic sales in the first two months of its inception is presently going through a miserable phase due to the target that the company has set. Selling 40 units of regular models that include Saluto, Fazer, R15, etc. to receive one unit of R3 doesn’t seem a very good idea especially when a bike is already showing decent sales.   

The consequence is that Yamaha dealers across the country have stopped keeping R3 at their dealerships. Moreover, due to the extreme limitedness, they aren’t offering the test rides of the vehicle. Yamaha thought the idea would only benefit sales of other products that will eventually result in an increase in sales of R3 as well. On the contrary, the thought completely backfired and the manufacturer is now facing a decrease in R3 sales due to disinterest in dealers. Yamaha will be bringing the MT-03 in India in the coming year and its step might prove a big hurdle in good sales of its next model as well. Let’s remain optimistic and hope Yamaha understands the issue as soon as possible and provide a separate platform to the sale of R3.

Stay tuned as 2015 EICMA to set to start in a few hours from now!