Italian motorcycle-maker Benelli on Monday launched the Leoncino 500 in India with an ex-showroom price tag of Rs 4.79 lakh across the country.
Benelli India, now a part of China's Qjian Jiang Group, will in a few months launch a sub-300 cc motorcycle designed for the Indian market, said Managing Director Vikas Jhabakh at the launch of the Leoncino in Hyderabad.
This motorcycle would also be exported to other countries, he said.
Leoncino 500 would be imported as a completely knocked-down unit and assembled at the Hyderabad facility. It would come with a five-year unlimited kilometres warranty and will be available in two colours—red and steel grey.
According to Jabakh, Benelli is planing to come out with two or three models, including the one specifically for Indian bike riders in the next few months.
Benelli has six models, including the Leoncino 500, in India.
"By 2020-end, Benelli will have 12 or 13 different models of all categories in terms of engine capacity, in the Indian market," he said.
Benelli had in 2018 signed a memorandum of understanding with the Telangana government and Adishwar Auto Ride International, a subsidiary of Mahavir Group, for setting up a manufacturing facility in Hyderabad.
Adishwar Auto Ride International, which has started assembling CKD kits of Benellis in Hyderabad, will manufacture and import Benelli motorcycles from South-East Asian regions.
Benelli has sold over 6,000 motorycles since the brand's launch in the country three years ago. It has sold about 1,000 units from January till July this year and hopes to end the year with 2,000 units sold.
When asked about Benelli's electric motorcycle plans, Jhabakh said the company is closely studying the feasability of launching an EV in India, but has no such plans in the immediate future.
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