Aprilia 150cc motorcycles' India launch postponed - focus on electrification, BSVI compliancy

Team OD Updated: June 18, 2019, 03:28 PM IST

Aprilia, the Italian manufacturer had stated that the RS150 and Tuono 150 will be launched in India by 2020, however, a report in Moneycontrol says that the plan of bringing the entry-level 150cc motorcycle has been shelved, and the company will focus mainly on electrification, and complying with their existing products with the BSVI emission norms.

Picture of the Aprilia SR125 for reference

The Aprilia RS150, if it was brought to the Indian market, would have rivalled the Yamaha YZF-R15 V3 while the Tuono 150 would have taken a dig at the Yamaha MT-15. Also, the company is looking forward to electrifying the three-wheeler markets amidst updating its current portfolio of Aprilia and Vespa scooters to BSVI.

Picture of the Aprilia SR150 for reference

Speaking to Moneycontrol, Diego Graffi, Managing Director and CEO, Piaggio Vehicles, said, "I can confirm that the interest for the segment and what would be the market opportunity for it here in India exists. The brand will be Aprilia, the kind of bike will be a premium, mid-range with engine size between 150cc and 250cc. We are studying various options and are trying to find out what the best offering would be at the time we will be entering the market."

Picture of the recently launched Vespa Urban Club

"At present, we do not have a fixed date. It has taken a little bit longer than what we had planned initially as we want to find the best trade-off between what is the expected price and what is the level of local content (in the bikes) we are introducing," Graffi added.

Picture of the Aprilia RS150 from the Auto Expo 2018

"We have seen lots of new introductions in the mid-range segment from our competitors. Our strategy is driven by the fact that whenever we enter the market, we (need to) do that with something that is really a breakthrough product," he said.

Source - Moneycontrol