New Delhi: Japanese motorbike maker Yamaha, which did not have any major success in the Indian market, is aiming to accelerate its market share here with the launch of its cult sport bikes 1,680 cc engine powered MT01 and 998 cc YZF R1 priced at Rs 10.5 lakh each (ex-showroom).

The company, which operates in the domestic market through a wholly-owned subsidiary Yamaha Motor India (YMI), is banking heavily on these to products to revive fortunes in the Indian two-wheeler market where it has been reduced to a marginal player with a little over three per cent market share.

"This launch is a trigger for re-establishing Yamaha brand in India. Though we'll be present across segments but we would carve out a niche for Yamaha products which would be high on technology, high on design and high on innovation," YMI Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Tomotaka Ishikawa told reporters here.

He said the firm plans to launch a slew of products based on new technology in the upcoming auto expo in January 2008.

Yamaha would initially sell the new sports bike from five retail outlets in four cities - Ahmedabad, Chennai, New Delhi and Bangalore - which would be increased to 50 by mid 2010.

The company plans to expand its dealership for the sports bikes in a phased manner and would add five new dealers in Mumbai, Chandigarh and Pune within the next six months.

"Our aim is to first ensure that we get proper service stations put in place before we start selling products in any city," YMI Head Marketing and Sales P Sam said.

MT 01 and YZF R1 would be brought as completely built units.

The government levies a duty of nearly 116 per cent on automobiles brought in India through this route, making the bikes more than twice as expensive when compared to other markets.

Source : PTI