Bajaj Auto to roll out more bikes
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
MUMBAI, Nov 24 (Business Standard): After hitting a trough last year when its two-wheeler sales recorded the biggest fall in the industry, Pune-based two-wheeler major Bajaj Auto is looking to launch more products in the market in the near term in the entry and premium class.
The entry segment (100cc) which Bajaj Auto, India's second biggest two-wheeler manufacturer had reportedly abandoned more than two years earlier, claiming segment shrinkage coupled with wafer-thin margins, will see more launches in the immediate future.
Its return of focus to the entry level segment is based on the recent success of the Discover model (where the company sold 100,000 units in 50 days), that is strapped with a less than 100cc engine but has a body of a bigger bike.
S Sridhar, chief executive officer (2-wheelers), said: "Once we complete the strategy of the Discover, then there is more we can do in the segment. We can further explore it. However, that is not the priority now.
But as far the question of launching more products in the economy segment goes, then, yes, we will do that." Similarly, the company is at the same time working on bigger bikes aimed at strengthening its presence in the premium market (150cc and above), where it has a share of almost 70 per cent, with the Pulsar brand.
"Our strategy is towards bigger and sportier bikes. We have plans (for the segment) which can be done at the appropriate time. We have to make (the bikes) affordable rather than focusing on just power. Subsequent bikes will get launched in this segment," added Sridhar.
The entry segment (100cc) which Bajaj Auto, India's second biggest two-wheeler manufacturer had reportedly abandoned more than two years earlier, claiming segment shrinkage coupled with wafer-thin margins, will see more launches in the immediate future.
Its return of focus to the entry level segment is based on the recent success of the Discover model (where the company sold 100,000 units in 50 days), that is strapped with a less than 100cc engine but has a body of a bigger bike.
S Sridhar, chief executive officer (2-wheelers), said: "Once we complete the strategy of the Discover, then there is more we can do in the segment. We can further explore it. However, that is not the priority now.
But as far the question of launching more products in the economy segment goes, then, yes, we will do that." Similarly, the company is at the same time working on bigger bikes aimed at strengthening its presence in the premium market (150cc and above), where it has a share of almost 70 per cent, with the Pulsar brand.
"Our strategy is towards bigger and sportier bikes. We have plans (for the segment) which can be done at the appropriate time. We have to make (the bikes) affordable rather than focusing on just power. Subsequent bikes will get launched in this segment," added Sridhar.