Scooter sales zoom in top gear
According to Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the domestic scooter
 segment witnessed sales of 11,63,127 units during April-October, 2010-11 compared to
 7,64,643 units in the year-ago period.
Repositioning of products, targeting new customer segments and entry of new players led 
by firms such as Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has resulted in revival of the 
scooter market in the country.
Scooter sales zoom in top gear
"At one point, people had written off scooters. However, scooters have been repositioned and
 it has helped. It is doing exceedingly well by targeting a different segment of customers," 
SIAM Director General Vishnu Mathur told PTI.
In October alone, the segment witnessed 104.27 per cent jump in sales to 1,88,633 units 
compared to 92,346 units in the month last year.
Scooter sales zoom in top gear
Mathur said the demand from urban areas, mainly women and young people, is
 driving the robust revival of the scooter market.
During 2009-10, scooter sales in the domestic market stood at 14,62,507 units 
compared to 11,48,007 units in the previous fiscal, up 27.40 per cent.
Scooter sales zoom in top gear
The current market leader HMSI sold 5,20,466 units in the first 7 months of this fiscal,
 a jump of 35.41 per cent over 3,84,369 units in the same period last year, SIAM said. 
The firm commands 44.75 per cent market share at present.
"The latent demand for scooter was always there because of its utility value; it was a 
question of bringing the right product. When the scooter market was down, it needed 
a leader to revive the segment," HMSI Operating Head (Sales and Marketing) 
N K Rattan said. In December 2009, Bajaj Auto had said that it would stop 
 making scooters as
 it was no longer a viable business with motorcycles taking over the Indian 
two-wheeler market.
Source: PTI