IF there was still any doubt ever how scooters would feature prominently as a choice for transportation in the country in the future, Modenas has put it to rest with the launch of not one or two, but three new models.
The three machines were launched simultaneously at EON’s head office complex in Glenmarie by Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar, group managing director of DRB-HICOM Bhd and Chun Pin Ko, the president of Kymco.
The new models are the Karisma 125 and Elegan 250. Designated as the official distributor for Taiwanese scooter brand Kymco, Edaran Modenas Sdn Bhd (EMOS) also unveiled a Kymco product, the Downtown 250i scooter.
Kymco is a global brand under Kwang Yang Motor Company, headquartered in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
“The scooter segment is expected to register positive growth over the next five years, with an average annual increase of five per cent,” said Syed Faisal.
EMOS is targeting an increase of more than 10 per cent for the 125cc and 50 per cent for the 200-250cc category of the scooter market by 2017. The Kymco venture will play a part in achieving the target, he added.
The sophisticated design of the Modenas Karisma 125 screams an active and youthful lifestyle. Powered by a 125cc engine, it generates 9.4hp at 7,500rpm.
Interesting features of this scooter include a USB port to charge electric gadgets, a multi-purpose key control system and a wide compartment.
The Karisma 125 comes in two colours, namely Bright Red and Pearly White. This stylish scooter is priced at RM5,278 (GST inclusive).
The Karisma’s bigger sibling, the Elegan, has a 250cc single-cylinder, Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) liquid-cooled engine, which produces 22hp @ 7,000 rpm. Using a telescopic fork suspension at the front and trailing swing arm for the rear suspension, it absorbs bumps and undulations on the road better than ever to give riders a comfortable ride.
Additionally, this scooter is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes in the front and in the rear.
The Elegan 250 is available in two colours, Matte Black and Matte White, and retails at RM13,599 (GST inclusive).
Kymco’s first-ever scooter model, the Kymco Downtown 250i, was launched to at the event after Modenas secured the exclusive distributorship rights of the Kymco brand in Malaysia. The scooter is priced at RM22,790 (GST inclusive).
The Kymco scooters are assembled at the Modenas plant in Gurun, under Modenas’ Completely Knocked Down (CKD) Programme for the local market.
Syed Faisal said the collaboration amplified Kymco’s trust in DRB-HICOM and MODENAS to spur Kymco’s market presence and growth in Malaysia.
To aid after-sales support for Kymco scooter users, EMOS will be leveraging its network of 200 dealers and its own service centres in Gurun, Ipoh, Subang, Johor Baru and Kuantan, and has appointed 30 Kymco dealerships nationwide.