Timeline of Indian Two Wheeler Industry in 2012

January

January 7-11: 11th Auto Expo, New Delhi



Hero, Suzuki, Royal Enfield, Yamaha, Honda, TVS, Triumph, Piaggio, Vespa, Moto Guzzi, Aprilia, Harley Davidson, Ducati, Polaris, Mahindra, KTM, Victory Motorcycle and BMW unvelied thier new and updated products. Among this, Vespa 125, Mahindra Mojo, Ducta 795, the electric scooter concept the Qube and the off roader concept the RTR 250-fx of TVS, Hero Leap-Hybrid scooter, Yamaha Ray, Royal Enfield Cafe Racer and Thunderbird 500 were paid a lot of attention.



January 21: Yamaha introduces SZ R and SZ X in new colors
Adding some more attractive colors to the track, Yamaha furnished the SZ series. Both SZ R and SZ X come with the same 153cc Air-cooled, single cylinder, 4-Stroke, SOHC, 2-Valve engine. It produces 12.1 PS of power at 7500rpm and 12.8 Nm of torque at 4500rpm.

January 23: 2012 TVS StaR City launched
The updated Star City impressed a lot commuter rider and that resulted in the sale of TVS. The 109.7 cc, 4-stroke engine engine generates maximum power of 6.1 Kw @ 7500 Rpm and maximum torque of 8.1 Nm @ 5000 rpm.

January 24: Bajaj launches KTM Duke 200



The entry of KTM to India is really a milestone for the Indian motorcycle industry. Its powerful 200 cc, Single-cylinder, 4-stroke, spark-ignition engine, liquid-cooled performances like never before any naked machine. KTM beasts are distributed by Bajaj in India.

February

February 1: New Honda Dio launched
Honda had to work really hard to mold out such an altogether new machine, the Dio. The new Dio looks so strange from its predecessor. The alteration has also been gifted some sever changes in the engine as well. It is mated with a 109 cc, 4-stroke, Air-cooled, SI engine that generates 8 bhp power @ 7500 rpm and 8.66 Nm torque @ 5500 rpm.

February 15: Suzuki Swish 125 launched
It simply resemblances the Access 125. So does its technical specifications too. The 124 cc, 4 Stroke, Single Cylinder, Air Cooled OHC powers up to 8.58hp @ 7000rpm and 9.8 Nm @ 5000 rpm.

February 22: Hero Motocorp-Erik Buell Racing tie-up
After parting with Honda, Hero Motocorp is not at all ready to give up its domination in the two wheeler industry. This contract with EBR will assist Hero to equip motorcycles in the latest technology and design.

March

March 16: Honda CBR 150R launched



The real opponent of Yamaha R15. The youngest machine in the CBR series. Synonyms are a lot to be scribed in the name of Honda CBR 150. The success of the CBR 250R and the lack of a good rival for the R15 caused the arrival of the CBR 150R.

March 16: Ducati launches Monster Diesel
Don't think that the Monster Diesel runs in diesel. It does have the same petrol engine alike the rest Ducati beasts have. The name "Diesel" addresses the famous Italian brand "Diesel".

March 26: Mahindra Racing win 125GP Italian Championship
Mahindra Racing became the first Indian racing team to win the 125GP Italian Championship. It's an outstanding benchmark for the Indian racing world.

April

April 4: Replacing Bajaj, Honda becomes India's no. 2 two wheeler manufacturer
Beating down Bajaj Auto, Japanese giant Honda became the second largest two wheeler consortium in India. Honda's previous partner Hero Motocorp is the only company above Honda.

April 19: Salman Khan becomes the brand ambassador Suzuki Motorcycles
Bollywood superstar, Salman Khan signed the contract to be the brand ambassador of Suzuki India. The actor will be unveiling and promoting Suzuki's much awaited commuter motorcycle, the Hayate.

April 25: Yamaha launches new colors for FZ and Fazer Series
Riding out the success of the updated SZ R and the SZ X, Yamaha launched the FZ S and the Fazer in new graphics. These new color tones will really make these beasts, the lord of the streets.

April 26: Vespa LX 125 launched



The third arrival of the classic scooter manufacturer, Piaggio Vespa in the India soil. This time with the much anticipated, the Vespa LX 125. Its 125 cc, 4 Stroke, 3 Valve, Single Cylinder, Air Cooled engine generates a maximum power of 10.06 Ps @ 7500 Rpm and a maximum torque of 10.6 Nm @ 6000 Rpm

April 30: 2012 TVS Apache RTR Series launched



The next generation Apache RTR series carved many riders' attention. In fact, the TV commercial was a big success for the latest Apache. Until unveiling the machine, TVS flagged off televisions with an eye-like headlamp.

May

May 10: Suzuki introduces Hayate
Precisely, the most affordable bike from Suzuki. The bike is specially designed for the masses. Its 112.8 cc, Air-Cooled, 4-Stroke, 1-Cylinder, SOHC engine provides an average around 70 kmpl.

May 14: Bajaj Discover 125ST launched
The Discover 125ST is obviously the next generation motorcycle from Bajaj. Leaving the traditional design of the Discover brand, Bajaj has built up a new unique sketch for its latest machine under the Discover brand. The 124.6 cc, 4 Valve Twin Spark Air Cooled engine distributes 13 Ps power @ 9000 rpm and 10.8 Nm torque @ 7000 rpm.

May 15: Honda Dream Yuga launched
Following the success of the Twister, Honda introduced the Dream Yuga. The Dream Yuga will be rivaling Hero's Passion and Splendor variants. The consortium has introduced the machine aiming the mass market.

June

June 2: DSK Motowheels acquires the whole stake of Hyosung India from Garware Motors
Finally the acquisition has been taken place after a lot of rumours that the Pune based business conglomerate DSK bought the complete share of Hyosung dealership in India from the Garware Motors. The dealership has been named, the DSK Motowheels.

June 7: Bajaj launches Pulsar 200NS



The Pulsar 200NS, the rockstar of the year. Certinly, this would be the most searched bike in India in 2012. It replaced the Pulsar 220 to become the flagship motorcycle of Bajaj.

June 11: Anushka Sharma was appointed as TVS Scooty brand ambassador
Following Sania Mirza and Priti Zinta, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma contracted to promote the Scooty brand. The Scooty brand includes the Sccoty Streak and the Scooty Pep Plus.

June 13: Hyosung GT250R launched



Rivaling Kawasaki Ninja 250R and Honda CBR 250R, Hyosung launched the GT 250R in India. The GT 250R is the least powered bike of the South Korean firm in India.

June 20: Mahindra Rodeo RZ launched
Mahindra Two Wheeler Limited launched the upgraded version of the Rodeo, the Rodeo RZ. The new variant came with new features such as digital meter, tripmeter, acceleration timer, over-speed alarm, clock and side stand buzzer.

July

July 3: Hero Motocorp Ignitor launched
The mirror image of Honda CB Stunner is what the Ignitor from Hero Motocorp. However, the Ignitor is comprised of many necessary features what the CB Stunner exactly lacks.

July 23: Deepika Padukone signs to become the brand ambassador of Yamaha Ray
Deepika Padukone is the third Bollywood celebrity to get signed up with a two wheeler company this year after Salman Khan and Anushka Sharma. Signing up with Yamaha for its first scooter in India, Deepika became the first woman brand ambassador of Yamaha in India.

August

August 9: 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650R launched



The next generation superbike from the much experienced hand, Kawasaki. The updated version of the Ninja 650R brings more power, comfort, safety and features. A 649cc Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, Parallel Twin Cylinder engine mated with 72 ps power @ 8500 Rpm and ample torque of 66 Nm @ 7000 Rpm does a better job like never before.

September

September 14: Yamaha Ray launched



The first scooter of India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. Of course the new ray of the consortium. Sketched with colorful graphics and accessories, the Ray won many hearts of youngsters in the country.

September 28: TVS launches Phoenix 125
The first premium 125 cc bike of India. It also might be the cheapest 125 cc bike with the most number of features. Aiming both commuter riders and youngters, TVS eyes the mass market.

October

October 2: Harley Davidson Opens Kochi Showroom
Harley Davidson opened their 9th dealership in Kochi - Spice Coast Harley Davidson. The showroom will supply 15 number of variants at first. Later models which all available in India will be selling via Kochi network as well.

October 3: Pulling down, Discover becomes the world's largest motorcycle brand
Selling out 1,22,968 Discover bikes against 1,21,018 Splendor units, Bajaj's Discover brand broke the record for being the world's largest selling motorcycle brand. The top position was badged by the Splendor for so many years.

October 11: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 and updated Thunderbird 350 launched



Perhaps, it would be the most awaited bike of the era. The whole world was waiting for its launch. Being unveiled at the 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo in January, the Thunderbird 500 carved many royal minds. The Thunderbird 500 is the flagship motorcycle of Royal Enfield. It is also the most expensive Indian made two wheeler.

November

November 7: New identity for Dhoni's racing team-Mahi Racing Team India
Indian cricket team skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Superbike racing team's got changed from MSD R-N Racing Team India to Mahi Racing Team India. The previous name was quiet big and that's why the name was changed, answered Dhoni when he was asked what the reason was to change the name.

November 7: Yamaha launches the limited edition of FZ S and Fazer
To colorfully celebrate the Diwali, Yamaha launched limited edition of the FZ-S and the Fazer. Both bikes' limited editions were furnished in blue-silver dual-tone color.

November 22: Harley Davidson Fat Bob debuted in the India Two Wheeler market
The last word of premium cruising, Harley Davidson debuted the Fat Bob in India. The starts at Rs. 12.8 lakh. A 1585 cc, air cooled twin cam engine which generates a maximum torque of 126 Nm @ 3500 rpm is built to be ridden extremely well in highways.

December

December 14: Moto Guzzi debuts Indian entry with Moto Guzzi Griso 1200 8V



Launching the Griso 1200 8V, Moto Guzzi became the latest venture to be entered by Piaggio in the Indian two wheeler market. Moto Guzzi has only one dealership in India and that is in Gurgaon.