It appears as if 2017 is going to be a busy and exciting year for Modenas. After the recent launch of the 2017 Modenas Karisma 125, Elegan 250 as well as the Kymco Downtown 250i – to be sold via Modenas dealer network – it has been announced that there are plans for six new models to be launched soon.
While there are no details forthcoming at this point, it is assumed the new machines will include mopeds, small-displacement street bikes and scooters. This makes sense, considering Modenas’ current business partnership with Kymco.
It is said the first launch will take place as early as March or April, although what type of machine it might be is still a secret. However, this begs the question, what of the 150 cc machine that was known to be in development by Modenas?
According to Modenas management, this 150 cc bike, which went viral on social media some time ago, will be among the six new launches this year and its market debut will be soon. The new engine is entirely a Modenas development, and does not involve any previous engine model, or third-party involvement.
Nine Modenas engineers are involved in the development of the said engine, and a portion of the research and development work is being conducted at the University of Graz, Austria. First announced two years ago, the prototype engine has undergone suitability testing as a production model and is rumoured will also see duty as a race engine for the Modenas racing team in the Malaysian Cub Prix.
Touching on Modenas cooperation with Kymco, it was stated that this is not just a re-badging exercise, but will involve long-term plans. These include sharing of expertise, technology transfer and leveraging on overseas distribution for Modenas, as well as improving vendor product quality.
The Malaysian motorcycle company is optimistic it can improve its market position this year. Modenas currently sits at fifth place in the local motorcycle market with 9% market share in 2016. It forecasts a 13% market share for 2017, supported by an aggressive launch campaign of new models.
5th is nothing to be proud of. Being honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki. And KTM, I think. Use the 150 engine as basis for variety. Reduce piston size and u may get 125. Increase and u will get 180cc.
what no1. 2,3 and 4?
Modenas Cafe Racer?
No need modenas and kymco lah!
no need so many products lah… if it is a winning product, or one is enough to get you to 1st spot.
why modenas don’t produce superbikes? there’s market for it
they had deal with kawasaki, just cover lower CC
yes. thats the MoU with kawasaki when they helped modenas to produce bike. modenas will focus on small bikes less than 250cc. kawasaki focus on bikes above 250cc.
They contracted with kawasaki where they can rebadged all kawasaki kapcai or to use reject kawasaki bin as theirs
In which allow kawasaki to sell cheap big bike and monopoly in malaysia
But cannot rebadged anymore than 200cc if i not mistaken
Last time they almost rebadged ninja 250 but tokey jepun overlord got angry ban them from doing it, again
Sell modenas to the Chinese or Koreans. Just like P1, the current management can’t turnover the company. The after sales technical staff are leaving in droves. The local market is too small to fight with the assemblers. Even, the brainer ktm has to go to India to change things. Suzuki malaysia has closed shop. There is no entrepreneur vitamin for this lackadaisical venture.
5 of them will be rebadged, 1 will be internal own design
If i not mistaken it will be 150cc and will be yamaha fz competitor
Design almost like duke
I hope the spec kill fz since fz lacks 1 gear and use sohc instead dohc
And most important
Cheaper than fz which already in 9k
6-7k should be enough
If more than that sorry i won’t even consider thinking of the brand itself
Why no Jaguh replacement after so many years ???
1. Modenas cafe racer or TTR200 will not be in production line, that can be said as 100% confirm.
2.producing SBK is not like producing cupcake. it needs knowledge, experiences, facility and technologies. This one of the reason M partnership with Kymco and kawasaki. Also why M go to Austria even just to make 150cc engine. even BMW and Kawasaki using Kymco Tech to produce their scooters.
3. producing only one product will not make a company succeed in Automotive industry. every person have different taste of bike. MV Agusta had try to succeed and saving the dying company with F4, but it become their reason to bankruptcy and sold over,even proton sold back MV for only 1 euro.
4.Dont talk about selling a performing company to others when we just start a partnership with external party the Malaysian already saying Malaysia going bankrupt.
5. Price is a sensitive issue, mostly for Malaysian when to buy local product. They always had a perception local should be cheaper and low in quality. But the cost and quality standard would be much the same like other company. isn’t it not fair for Modenas?
6. cruiser market in Malaysia really small. to reproduce or producing new model might not an option for Modenas. They did try with TTR200, but seems the feedback not enough for Modenas to put it in production line.
Modenas user for road and legal race use.