Kawasaki Ninja 500 And Eliminator Could Be Discontinued In India: Here’s Why

Kawasaki is reportedly planning to discontinue two of its premium motorcycles from the Indian lineup after failing to comply with the new E20 fuel norms. The Kawasaki Eliminator and Kawasaki Ninja 500 could be the two models that may soon exit the market.

Kawasaki Ninja 500 And Eliminator Could Exit India Soon

The Japanese brand currently sells both the Kawasaki Ninja 500 and the Kawasaki Eliminator in India through the CBU (Completely Built Unit) route. These motorcycles carry a premium price tag in their respective segments. However, due to high pricing and tough competition, their demand has remained limited among Indian buyers.

With the Indian government pushing E20 fuel standards across the automotive sector, these motorcycles have reportedly failed to meet the new ethanol-blended fuel compliance requirements. According to several reports, Kawasaki could discontinue both models in India rather than updating them for the new regulations.

The premium positioning, and lower sales numbers make it difficult for the brand to justify investing further in upgrading these motorcycles for E20 compatibility. As a result, Kawasaki may have decided to pull the plug instead.

Both bikes are powered by a 451cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine that produces 44.7 bhp and 42.6 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed gearbox. The Kawasaki Eliminator is priced at Rs 6.16 lakh (ex-showroom), while the Kawasaki Ninja 500 is priced at Rs 5.66 lakh (ex-showroom).

The high import duties add significantly to their pricing in the Indian market. Kawasaki has a local assembly facility in India where it manufactures models like the Kawasaki Ninja 650, Kawasaki Vulcan S, and Kawasaki Versys 650. These models were updated last year to comply with E20 fuel norms.

However, Kawasaki's 500cc models are facing stiff competition from brands like Royal Enfield, KTM, and Honda. By discontinuing these models, Kawasaki could reduce import costs and duties while focusing on stronger-selling products. It is important to note that the company has not officially confirmed the discontinuation yet, and an announcement is expected soon.