Production has stopped for Mahindra 2-wheelers debut motorcycle, the Stallio, and this has been pulled out of company showrooms, facing serious problems within its gearbox.
While efforts are underway to resolve the problem, Mahindra 2-wheelers claim they have initiated a process to rectify bikes already on the road. As per SIAM, Mahindra 2-wheelers sold 5,135 Stallios since sales commenced in October 2010.
When contacted, Mahindra 2-wheelers could not clarify the nature of the Stallio problem, but stated they want to set matters right before June 2011. Autocar India remains the only publication to have carried a detailed road test of the Stallio (December, 2010), within which the Stallio gearbox woes were highlighted as ‘an area of grave concern,’ apart from pointing out several other severe shortcomings on this commuter bike.
The Mahindra group needs to take a long hard look at how to get their two-wheeler foray back on track, for even their second bike (still to be tested by us) the 300cc Mojo, scheduled for an early 2011 launch seems disproportionately overpriced at Rs. 1.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune), in light of Honda having already introduced the exciting, single-cylinder CBR250R at well under this much money.
Talking about competition, the Stallio was already facing some real brutal competition from the likes of Hero Honda Splendor and Bajaj Discover 100 DTS-Si, which was evident from the sparse road presence that the bike was struggling with. At the same time, Mahindra and Mahindra's publicity and marketing strategy of keeping the world in suspense is also falling flat on it's face. One must visit a Mahindra two wheeler's show room and ask for a test ride coverage of the Stallio and just read the kind of response given. There's only one word - Negative, when manufacturers like Bajaj are open arms to the press.
Nothing on-air about the Mojo, and with Stallio hitting a bad patch, the motorcycle division of the Mahindra and Mahindra, looks a bit shady to me.
What say people, Stallio or Splendor/Discover..... Honda CBR 250 or Mojo 300!!
Wonder how can the guys at top management imagine that consumers won't go in for brands established and poven over the last 10-15 years and would go for a completely new brand.
ReplyDeleteBro,
ReplyDeleteWhat I feel is, there's no harm in being ambitious, but there should be a well thought out plan behind the ambitions not only from the product point of view, but also from the point of view as to how you want to take your product to the public. Mahindra and Mahindra has done nothing except roping in Amir Khan for the TVC... surely Amit Khan would never be buying the bike, inspite of what he says in the TVC, it's the aam janta, and they way Mahindra and Mahindra put this bike infront of the aam janta really makes me think, if the head honchos were ever in a mood to market this bike!!
Hi Guys, i think Mahindra is being hontest and trying to resolve the issue. They are facing some short term supply chain constraint & will be sorted out latest by June 2011. Cant wait for the new & improved Stallio!
ReplyDeleteHey Rahul,
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by and leaving your precious comment.. really appreciate it.
There's no denying in the honesty of Mahindra group, else they won't have been the phenomena that they are in the SUV segment. It takes more than honest and some real tough gut to take a decision like this on a new product like Mahindra has taken.
What concerns me is their strategy towards presenting their bikes to the public... very restrained and restrictive... and I for one have experienced this first hand. In the presence of some real stiff competition, I'm not sure if this strategy is gonna work.
Take for example, the Pulsar 200, such a major flaw in the first lot and look how Bajaj countered it. Till date, the Pulsar 200 remains as one of the most potent Pulsars to ever kissed the tarmac. You got to be more open to public to take on to competition. Allow people to present their views and show confidence in your product should be approach here.