Santanu Ghosh in Calcutta on Wednesday. A Telegraph picture

Calcutta, Nov. 7: Global Automobiles, a Xenitis Group company, has launched a 100cc bike for Rs 19,900.

Called Rock100, the bike from the Calcutta-based company is the cheapest in the 100cc segment.

Xenitis chairman Santanu Ghosh said, “Two-wheeler financing is a problem in this country. The Rock100 will make bikes more affordable.”

The company also plans to start a financing scheme with an EMI of Rs 499 per month.”

Two-wheeler sales are expected to increase to 13 million units by 2010 from 7.3 million units now. Around 82 per cent of two-wheelers are motorbikes and half of them are in the 100cc segment.

Hero Honda is one of the prominent players in the 100cc segment, with models such as the CD Dawn and the CD Deluxe priced between Rs 31,000 and 35,000. The company is also offering a discount of Rs 2,020 on the CD Deluxe.

Bajaj Auto is planning to replace its 100cc models with 125cc ones. The company has the Platina and the Discover in the 100 and 110cc segments. Another 100cc model, the CT 100, is made on order.

TVS Motor Company has the StaR series, with models such as the StaR, the StaRCity and the StaRSport, which are priced between Rs 32,000 and Rs 35,000.

The Yamaha Alba, a 106cc bike, is available for Rs 43,500.

Global Automobiles has a manufacturing capacity of 30,000 units per month. The company also plans to launch a 150cc sports bike, a 200cc model and a 225cc cruiser.