Honda Siel Power to come out with LPG fired portable gensets

“Though priced at Rs 8,000 over our existing models, the low-fuel cost will enable the buyers to recover their investment fast,“ says R S Bidesi, vice-president and director. According to him, the company will once again be the first one to launch such a product in the Indian market.

Confirming to the phase-II noise pollution norms of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which comes into operation in September 2003, the company has introduced a new series of portable gensets called GenX.

Claiming to be the world's quietist genset models, with a decibel level of 56 points, GenX gensets are far more silent compared to its earlier models whose noise level was measured at 69 decibels.

The noise reduction is facilitated by sound mufflers that encase the gensets. The four-stroke engines also emit low fumes. In addition, an in-built circuit break-up prevents the alternator from being damaged in case of a short circuit. Painted in bright red, the machine rests on four castor wheels, making it easier to move it around.

GenX will be available in four models, ranging from Rs 31,000 to Rs 43, 000. “We are introducing the models first in South India as the summer starts first there. We will introduce the new range in other markets in a phased manner,“ says Bidesi. According to him, the demand for portable gensets is picking up in small cities and semi-urban areas though metros and big cities continue to be the major market for the manufacturers.

In India the company rolls out around 51,000 units and commands around 64-per cent market share in the Rs 300-crore (80,000 units every year) genset market, with Birla Yamaha occupying the second place.