Piaggio planning to assemble Aprilia bikes in India

Piaggio the leading scooter manufacturer in India plans to assemble its Aprila motorcycles in India, which are currently sold as completely-built-up (CBU) units. The Italian bike manufacture wants to enhance Aprila’s acceptability in the fastest growing Indian market by making it more affordable.

Presently Piaggio sell five motorcycles in India -, Tuona V4, SRV, Mana, Dorsoduro and RSV4. The most affordable model among them is the Mana 850 ABS which is priced at Rs 14.3 lakh (ex-showroom Pune). While the RSV4 Factory APRC ABS is the most expensive bike priced at Rs 25.8 lakh (ex-showroom Pune). These CBU units are almost 140% expensive than the assembled bikes.

IN India Piaggio is not the first one brand to assemble its superbikes locally prior to this Harley Davidson, Kawasaki and Triumph are already following the completely-knocked-down (CKD) route. It is anticipated that the Piaagio will use the Baramati facility to assemble the superbikes where it currently manufactures the Vespa range of scooters.

Ravi Chopra, chairman and managing director, Piaggio Said "We are importing Aprilia bikes as of today but moving forward we probably look at a completely knocked down operation of Aprilia products from India,"

He added "The Company has currently two showrooms across India one in Pune and the other in Gurgaon. It is in the process of setting up showrooms in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chandigarh. Mumbai, too, would get an Aprilia showroom,"