Merc, BMW drive in premium bicycles to Punjab, Chandigarh

Vijay C Roy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 31

Luxury automobile manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW have introduced high-end premium bicycles in Punjab and Chandigarh markets. 

Chandigarh-based Mercedes-Benz dealer Joshi Autozone says the company sells one bicycle per month. “These are premium bikes and only Mercedes-Benz customers buy it as they have deep association with the brand,” says Deepak Joshi, MD, Joshi Autozone. These bikes are sold through their outlets in Chandigarh, Jalandhar and Ludhiana.

The trekking cycle costs around Rs 1.64 lakh whereas the other one is priced at Rs 1.48 lakh. The frame of these bikes is  made of aluminum, he said.

BMW has sold around five bikes through its appointed dealers in Chandigarh and Ludhiana since August this year. “We have sold these bikes from our two dealerships,” says an executive of BMW Krishna Automobiles, Chandigarh. The company’s aluminum-framed trekking bike costs around 91,000.

Besides businessmen, top corporate executives, doctors and professionals are the customers. 

According to experts, the two-wheeled cycle has come a long way. It is increasingly becoming preferred mode of transport for health conscious and environment-loving people. This trend is catching up in Chandigarh and Ludhiana, where premium bicycles are also in demand, they added.

The branded luxury bicycles are mountain bikes, urban cruisers and high-end road bikes. Such expensive bikes are not in the reach of common people.  The trend is, however, changing. Customers living in small cities such as Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur are preferring high-priced premium imported bicycles. “People are buying these premium bicycles for amateur events, which are priced between Rs 50,000 and Rs 7 lakh,” says The Bike Store-Hoshiarpur Cyclewalle proprietor Saran Preeti.  Among the other highly priced bikes in India, which are imported in the region are Italian-brand Carrera Podium which starts from Rs 2 lakh. The company’s carbon-framed MTB starts from Rs 4.5 lakh.

 Premium brands    Price

 Mercedes-Benz                              Rs 1.48-1.64 lakh

 BMW                                      Rs 91,000

 Carrera Podium                Rs 2-7 lakh

 Scott                                      Rs 1.25 lakh onwards

 Marin                                    Rs 1.5 lakh onwards

 Trek                                        Rs 1.5 lakh onwards

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