Report - Yamaha Project INDRA low-cost bike to be exported to Africa

Being developed in India with a cost target of INR 30,000.

The Yamaha Project INDRA (Innovative and New Development based on Responsible Analysis) is the lost-cost commuter motorcycle that is in the works.

Being developed at Yamaha Motor Research and Development India Pvt. Ltd. (YMRI) with assistance from Yamaha's Japanese R&D team, the commuter is coming together with stringent cost targets in place.

Talking to The Hindu Business Line, Mr. Sanjeev Paul, Group Head, Purchase & Operation, Yamaha India, stated that the vendors will also actively participate in finalizing certain aspects of the product.

To be produced at Yamaha's new Chennai facility which will start operations shortly with the Alpha, the new low-cost motorcycle will benefit from 8 in-campus vendors who will supply the critical components. The idea is to save big on the supply chain which would directly translate into a competitive product pricing.

The technical details and time frame for the launch are not clear as of now but expect it to be powered by a 100-110cc air-cooled four-stroke engine mated to a 4-speed gearbox, similar to the Bajaj Boxer.

Also read: Yamaha's Chennai plant inching closer to inauguration

While Yamaha has previously hinted that the India-made affordable motorcycle would target major markets like China, Mr. Paul states that about half of the production volume would be shipped to Africa which is considered to be a serious growth market for the Japanese brand.

[Source: The Hindu BusinessLine]