Benelli motorcycles had a good start in the Indian market having tied-up with Pune-based DSK Motowheels. However, the latter ran into financial turmoil earlier this year which took an adverse effect on the operations of the Italian motorcycle maker. Nevertheless, the QianJiang (QJ) Group-owned company has found a new partner in the country and will be announcing its tie-up with Hyderabad's Mahavir Group. Benelli will be officially announcing its association with Mahavir Group later today and just might announce its first offering for the country under the new leadership.
Hyderabad's Mahavir Group has been a dealer principle for years now with brands like Mercedes-Benz, Skoda, Isuzu, Suzuki, Indian and Benelli under its wing. The company operates in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Taking over the Italian brand, Mahavir Group is expected to provide a new growth strategy for the company to grow in the country while also providing continued support to its dealers pan India. Mahavir is expected to import and assemble models in India, a strategy similar to that of DSK.
It is also likely that Mahavir Group will shift production of Benelli motorcycles from the DSK facility near Pune to a new plant around Hyderabad, near the company's headquarters. The company is expected to announce its first new product for the country under the new partnership, which could kick-off with the Benelli Leoncino scrambler motorcycle. The bike was first announced for launch last year and was expected to go on sale in the first half of 2018.
The DSK-Benelli partnership was first announced in 2014, and the company started retailing a host of multi-cylinder naked motorcycles ranging from 300 cc to 1199 cc. The company also added the single-cylinder Benelli TNT 25 later in 2015, while its first full-faired offering - Benelli 302R - was launched in July last year. Benelli's model range is currently priced between Rs. 1.72 lakh and Rs. 11.86 lakh (ex-showroom). The biker maker currently operates out of 25 outlets pan India.
Prior to DSK's financial issues, the former partnership had announced three motorcycles for India including the Leoncino, TRK 502 and a mystery offering the 300-400 cc line-up. The latter was expected to be a Royal Enfield rival.
