Thursday, February 19, 2009

Bajaj Auto to launch six motorcycles this year

KOLKATA: In a bid to arrest plunging motorcycle sales, Bajaj Auto is looking to launch six models during this year under the ‘value for money’ segment. Also in the offing are a bunch of new gearless scooters to cash in on the sole two-wheeler segment that is doing well. While the details of six upcoming economy models are not known, a company official indicated these new mobikes would be priced at roughly Rs 40,000 each.

Bajaj Auto has recently launched an economy version of its high-end motorcycle Pulsar, christened XCD-135 . “The idea is to offer a value for money bike with nearly the same specifications as the Pulsar,” said Bajaj Auto regional manager SK Bajpai. The XCD-135 has been priced at about Rs 45,000 ex-showroom , while the Pulsar costs about Rs 60,000 exshowroom , said Mr Bajpai.

“Pulsar may not be affordable to the middle class as it is placed in the niche segment among Bajaj Auto’s range of motorcycles . The strategy behind launching the XCD-135 is to offer a bike with similar specifications like the Pulsar that is more affordable . In the immediate term, plans are there to launch new motorcycles in April and July,” he said. At present, Bajaj Auto only has a single scooter model, Kristal DTSi. The company is also experimenting with alternative fuels and has launched LPG mobike that is doing well in Gujarat.

Soruce:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/

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