TVS Motor launches Star City+ at Rs 44,000

Widening its portfolio in the motorcycle segment, Two and Three-wheeler manufacturer TVS Motor Company on Monday introduced an upgraded variant of its 110cc motorcycle StaR City, the StaR City+, targeted at the mileage conscious customer.

Currently, the Chennai-based TVS Motor Company offers Star City, Sport, in entry level segment, 125cc Phoenix and high end Apache RTR series.

It also sells scooterettes -- Jupiter, Wego, Scooty Streak and Scooty Pep +. In the moped range, it sells TVS XL Super, XL Heavy duty and autorickshaw TVS King.

Launching the motorcycle in Chennai, TVS Motor Company Chairman, Venu Srinivasan said: "We had Phoenix, then we had the Jupiter. Now we have the Star City +. In this segment, we were largely absent. We need to be a large player in the market.. This is the first of two launches (in motorcycle) that will take place this year. In four months, we will have Victor..".

On the priceline for the TVS StaR City +, he said the top variant is offered at Rs 44,000 (ex-showroom New Delhi).

TVS Motor Company has four manufacturing plants with three in India Hosur, Mysore and in Nalagarh (Himachal Pradesh), while one manufacturing plant is located in Indonesia.

The company claims the motorcycle would offer 86 kmpl.

It comes with several new features including five step shock absorber, digital meter console, a new ecothrust engine and all gear self-start.

"The 110cc engine delivers better fuel economy, low friction and efficiency has been improved to 85 per cent, TVS Motor Company President," Vinay Harne said.

The company was present in the commuter segment with just 35,000 units compared to the market size of 5,95,000 units, Srinivasan said, adding, the company hopes to sell around 50,000 units in six months time.

TVS Motor Company reported a 15.41 per cent increase in its total sales at 1,90,683 units in April 2014. It sold 1,65,214 units in the same month last year.