Modenas aims high with new bike

SHAH ALAM: Motosikal dan Enjin Nasional Sdn Bhd (Modenas), a DRB-HICOM Bhd unit, expects to sell 65,000 motorcycles in its next financial year ending March 31, 2010 (FY10).

Chief executive officer Abdul Harith Abdullah said he was optimistic about achieving the target despite the current economic downturn, adding that its newly launched 130cc Modenas GT 128 would help boost sales and increase market share.

“The GT 128 looks sporty, is fuel efficient and has a host of attractive features that will appeal to customers. We believe it is a good buy,” he said at the launch of the motorcycle yesterday.

The new product would help Modenas boost its market share to 15% in FY10 from 12% now, he said, adding that it was targeting to sell 2,000 to 2,500 units of the GT 128 per month.

From left: Modenas chairman Datuk Syed Mohamad Aidid Syed Murtaza, DRB-HICOM Bhd group managing director Datuk Mohd Khamil Jamil, Abdul Harith Abdullah and Malaysia Motorcycle and Scooter Dealers Association chairman Wee Hong at the launch

Aimed at customers aged 25 to 35, the GT 128 is priced from RM4,888 and comes in four colours. It boasts a fuel consumption level of 64km per litre.

Of the number of motorcycles Modenas expected to sell in FY10, Harith said 5,000 units would be exported.

He added that the company planned to beef up its export markets within the next three years. Its biggest foreign markets now are Greece and Iran. “We will be focusing on the South-East Asia,” he said.

On the outlook for the local motorcycle market, Harith said he expected the total industry volume to drop 26% to about 400,000 units this year. About 544,000 units were sold last year.

Source --> http://biz.thestar.com.my/