The latest entry into South Africa’s growing scooter market is looking to knock your socks off with a strategically placed middle-market offering.
As of this month, Sym — a brand known in Europe — enters the local market with four new offerings priced between R10 000 and R36 000.
You may be unfamiliar with the Sym brand, but Suzuki and SSangYong are sure to ring a bell. The Sym brand is owned by Taiwanese-based SSangYong Industries, which manufactures both Sym motorcycles and scooters.
Falling somewhere between a Vespa and a Vuka, Sym hopes to fill the gap between form and function. With its ceramic-coated cylinders and range of accessories, the company sees its products as the solution to the neglected middle market in South Africa.
Lachlan Harris, one of Sym’s directors, told attendees at the Sym launch in February that although personal mobility scooters flooded the South African market two years ago, after-sales services have not kept pace with growth. Harris said after-sales services is one area where Sym scooters will excel.
Billed as “the budget-friendly scooter”, the entry-level 5,2-litre Orbit 125 is priced at a competitive R9 999. But it offers a pedestrian ride. Despite its little perks, such as halogen lamps, adjustable rear suspension and a “stylish” windshield, it still comes off as an urban runabout, a means to get from A to B. With bigger wheels, increased stability and a higher top speed, the 5,5-litre Symphony 125 (suggested retail price of R11 499) is designed for longer journeys.
Slightly more glamorous is the 4,8-litre Mio 100. Sym calls it the “ultimate urban scooter”, but what it really means is “little”. The Mio 100 was a comfortable ride, even for a vertically challenged person such as myself. But then again, its size may count against it — only a very small person would be able to ride pillion comfortably on this scooter.
More stylish than the entry-level Sym scooters, the retro-feeling Mio has gentle curves and chrome finishing. With the swing-pop fuel lid to help keep grease off the hands, seats that open with one touch and tricolour mood lighting on the dashboard, one can’t help thinking that this scooter is aimed at students, particularly women students. And if solid colouring is not manly enough for you, this year a special limited edition of the Mio can be customised so that its colours match your favourite football team.
Meanwhile, Sym’s top of the range 12-litre GTS Evo 300i is a different beast altogether: a large, scary beast meant for large scary men.
So does it knock your socks off? Not really, but as an urban runabout with a bit of style, Sym may well capture a generation of young people keen to get moving without having to take on hefty loans.
The smaller Sym models have fuel consumptions of 34km/litre and top speeds of 80kph to 90kph, whereas the Evo 300i, with a fuel consumption of 29km/litre, can reach speeds of up to 135kph.
Using the Suzuki dealer network as a start-up platform, Sym scooters will be sold initially through 13 branches around the country. All Sym scooters come with a two-year warranty but there is no service plan, maintenance plan or breakdown service. Repairs can be done at an approved Sym dealer.