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NEW DELHI: Having dethroned Bajaj Auto from the pole position in the motorcycle market in India, bike maker Hero Honda Motors Ltd on Wednesday announced its entry into the burgeoning gearless scooter market.

The firm rolled out its first scooter — 102cc Pleasure — and announced plans to introduce a host of new models, including a geared model that will take on rival Bajaj and even its own sister firm Honda Motorcycle and Scooters India.

'We do hope to increase the market share of scooters. This is may be our maiden scooter but it is certainly not the last,' Hero Honda ND Pawan Munjal said. The firm, he added, plans to sell 100,000 scooters by December 2006.

While refusing to divulge the pricing of the new scooter, Munjal said: 'The new scooter will be commercially available only by mid-November.'

The foray into the scooter market will also mark a big shift in its marketing strategy as a chunk of its potential buyers will now ben from the fairer sex.

'We have, till now, been catering to a very male audience and now are entering a market that is dominated by women buyers. And we are trying to target this audience with 24 exclusive showrooms and workshops only for women. In addition, value-adds like home service, vehicle pick-up and a women’s club is also in the offing,' said company’s head of marketing PS Sundar.

'The scooter segment is witnessing an impressive growth for the past few months and with Pleasure, we would be able to carve out a place for ourselves in the industry and contribute towards its future growth,' Munjal added.