Avantura Choppers, the Mumbai-based manufacturer of long 2000 cc motorcycles with wheel base of 9 ft. 2 inches-9 ft. 7 inches (compared with a length of 6 ft for general cruiser bikes), is gearing up to roll out two models — Rudra and Pravega — shortly, a top company executive said.
“We are awaiting the certificate from Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). We expect to receive it very soon and then we will complete the formal commercial transactions,” said Gaurav Aggarwal, co-founder and CEO, Avantura Choppers, in an interview.
“We have seen a lot of interest in bookings. Product testing is complete, the test models have been returned to us, so now it is only paperwork,” he added.
Pricing not finalised
The company is yet to finalise of the pricing but before the Union Budget, the price was estimated at ₹21.4 lakh for Pravega (also called as tryst with the wind) and ₹23.9 lakh for Rudra (also referred to as the mightiest of the mighty). This compares with imported choppers sold in India in the range of ₹59 lakh. The company, which is the only firm to manufacture cruisers of such length in India, has set up a manufacturing facility at Vasai near Mumbai with a production capacity of 300 units a year. Some units have been produced and will be delivered after due process, according to company officials.
About 70% of the components including the engine, brakes, tyres are imported from the U.S., Germany and the U.K. The frames and most fabrication jobs are done in India and some parts are sourced from suppliers.
“There is a demand for choppers in India but the imported ones are very expensive,” Mr. Aggarwal said.
“We are confident of the demand for our products which are tried and tested and not at a concept stage. By March 2019, we intend to sell 200 bikes,” he added.
The targeted customers include riders who have been riding for a few years and have now graduated to leisure riding and people who have done more than 10,000 km on their current 1200 cc bikes.
‘Rising market size’
“We are looking at a market size of about 20,000 motorcycles in the 1600 cc-plus category in five years. Of this, we are looking for a market share of 5-8%,” said Amitabh Biswas, Chief Marketing Officer of the motorcycle company. “The number of players is growing in the market and this gives us confidence that the market size would [see] an upswing as we go into it,” he added.
He said the company will soon open two dealerships in India and will get into exports in 12 months.
