Buoyed by the launch of its recently launched SZ motorcycles and having made a mark in premium bike segment, India Yamaha Motor has registered a growth of 13.5 % in sales during September 2010 as compared to the corresponding period last year.
It sold 33,944 units in September 2010 as against 29,900 units sold in September 2009.
Commenting on the results, Mr. Yukimine Tsuji, CEO & MD, India Yamaha Motor said, "We are pleased with our sales growth in September in spite of capacity constraints at vendors end and the resulting parts supply shortage."
"However, we are trying our best to fulfill the order backlog and meet the expectations of our esteemed customers this festival season."
"Having received an overwhelming response for FZ series, we are also launching Limited Edition FZ series bikes in Midnight Special color scheme during this festival season. We are confident that these too will be an instant hit among the biking enthusiasts", Mr. Tsuji added.
The company is continuing with its efforts to enhance consumer confidence by conducting various marketing initiatives like Yamaha Safe Riding Science, Yamaha R15 One Make Race Championship and Yamaha Service Camps.
The company is also focusing its efforts on strengthening its dealer network in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. It is also increasing its sub-dealers in rural areas too.
As the version name 'Midnight Special' suggests, the bikes will be available in an all black color concept with golden alloy wheel highlighting the exclusive looks of the motorcycles.Yamaha will produce only 1,000 units of each of FZ, FZ-S and Fazer motorcycle models and the aluminum plate on the fuel tank will bear the vehicle serial number (1-1000) to make the bike look as exclusive as the customer himself.
The limited edition Fazer motorcycle will also carry the signature of the Yamaha brand ambassador of India John Abraham crafted in golden letters on the front cowl of the motorcycle.Speaking on the FZ Series Limited Edition motorcycle launch, Mr. Pankaj Dubey from India Yamaha Motor said, "Keeping in mind the festive season, we are launching Limited Edition FZ Series bikes and are confident that these too will be an instant hit among the biking enthusiasts."
"We have kept the essence of FZ series bikes intact while altering the aesthetics to exemplify the masculine feeling these tough machines are known for. The rich & sporty graphics will take the macho image to its next level."The target demographic is 18-25 year old male who is brand conscious, stylish & confident and has an active mindset & inclination towards good things in life.
The FZ series motorcycle was designed & engineered for assertive streetbike riding and the strategic use of the sporty graphics and vibrancy of colors on these bikes where meant to instill pride of ownership.The limited edition 2011 Yamaha ex-showroom prices in Delhi India are as follows: Fazer: Rs. 74,500 ($1675 USD), FZ-S: Rs. 69,500 ($1563 USD), and FZ16: Rs. 67,500 ($1,518 USD).
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Along with Brivio, some many other notables made the switch: Rossi's guru technical boss Jeremy Burgess, track engineer Matteo Flamigni, and four mechanics Alex Briggs, Brent Stephens, Gary Coleman and Bernard Ansiau.Also joining Rossi at Ducati are two logistic personnel, Roberto Brivio and Emanuele Mazzini, two hospitality personnel Max Montanari and Emanuela Salvetti, and his chef Michele Quarenghi.
The two big players for Rossi's success with Yamaha are Brivio and Burgess; together, the two helped Rossi achieve four MotoGP titles on the Yamaha M1 adorned with the venerable 46.Although Brivio put much time in with Yamaha, the former team manager of Rossi wants to remain by the champ's side. Brivio, who does not have a clear title on the Ducati Team as of this writing, was the first to officially announce he would be leaving Yamaha at the end of the season.
Brivio reported his departure before the final round of the 2010 MotoGP Championship at Valencia, when it was yet to be confirmed that Rossi was making the move to Ducati (although rumors heavily saturated the paddock).During his time with Yamaha, Brivio had various roles, including team manager of the factory World Superbike Team, then Team Manager at the factory MotoGP team and the Team Manager of Rossi and his crew. He will now take that experience and help Valentino Rossi on the Ducati Team.
As for Burgess, him and Rossi have worked together the longest. The 57-year-old Australian has been united with Rossi since the Italian's debut year in the premier class with Honda in 2000 (500cc). The two have never parted, and won seven world titles.Together, the two took second in the championship in 2000, then won three consecutive titles on the Honda, and followed those titles up with two more the following years with Yamaha, making for five consecutive titles.
Together, Rossi and Burgess helped Yamaha develop championship-winning machines. Burgess has also garnered a championship with Wayne Gardner, and five with Mike Doohan, both on Honda.It was initially unknown if Burgess would follow Rossi, but many knew it was just inevitable. Burgess, who almost retired after his years with Doohan due to seeing too many accidents, will now carry his and Rossi's winning MotoGP relationship over to Ducati.
In an Italian report, Burgess says: "you only meet someone like Valentino once in your life if you're lucky. After you've worked with him, it would be hard to work with another rider. As well as being fast, he also is also charismatic, fascinating and intelligent, qualities which make every minute you're with him exciting and absorbing."No matter how intelligent, Rossi has much work ahead, and so does the team. All members of Rossi's inner circle now have to retrain their minds to work on a different make of MotoGP machine, as the Ducati MotoGP bike is far different from the Japanese motorcycles they were used to tooling with.
Will it be immediate progress as it was during Rossi's first year with Yamaha in 2004 when him and the team took the MotoGP Championship? Or will Rossi and company need a season or two to rework the Ducati?Just as the hottest story in 2010 was the Rossi / Ducati marriage, the big story for 2011 will surely be the outcome of this MotoGP Italian unity.
The Ducati 999 superseded the Massimo Tamburini designed Ducati 916, Ducati 996 and Ducati 998 range of superbikes in 2003, and was produced through 2006. This motorcycle enjoyed great success in World Superbike, and was raced in the series through the 2007 season, despite no longer being produced, pending rules changes by the series' governing body, FIM, to allow competition of the new Ducati 1098.
The 999 was designed by Pierre Terblanche, amid much controversy over its divisive styling. It is known as an extremely high performance, race oriented motorcycle. With its traditional Ducati L Twin Desmodromic Valve actuated engine layout, it has a linear power delivery, with high power and torque figures available even at low RPM. Additionally, with its high spec suspension and trellis chassis, it is one of the finest handling motorcycles for its time.
Subsequently, more powerful 999S and 999R (provided with 102 dB Termignoni race-spec exhaust) versions were introduced, both capable of 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in under three seconds; and a top speed of over 170 mph (+270 km/h).
The 2005 Ducati 999S won the Maxisport category for the prestigious international Masterbike 2005 comparison and finished 2nd overall. It has received critical acclaim from many corners, such as MCN of the U.K. which called it "simply the best V-Twin on the planet", and Motorbikestoday.com, which described it "the most desirable, most exciting roadbike on the planet" in 2004. MotorcycleUSA.com described it as "stupendous" and "the epitome of V-Twin power."